Director of Marketing and Communications, College of Natural Resources and Environment

Job no: 537839
Work type: Administrative & Professional
Senior management: Senior Vice Pres Advancement
Department: Marketing and Communications
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Advancement, Communications / Public Relations / Marketing, Executive / Director / Management

Job Description

The Director of Marketing and Communications for the College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) is responsible for developing, planning, executing, and measuring a comprehensive, strategic marketing and communications program for the College of Natural Resources and Environment and aligning those activities with university-level communications, marketing, branding priorities, and initiatives. The marketing and communications program led by the Director will embody and reflect CNRE core values and principles, and the college's unique attributes and offerings that contribute to the broader understanding of Virginia Tech.

In support of a successful marketing and communications program for CNRE and the university, the Director will collaborate with and be a part of several teams, including the College of Natural Resources and Environment Dean's Office and senior leadership group; the College of Natural Resources and Environment's advancement team (including marketing and communications, alumni engagement, and development); marketing and communications directors in other colleges and units across the university; and colleagues in the Advancement and Marketing and Communications divisions, among others. The Director collaborates with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners to support marketing and communications initiatives.

Currently, the Director directly leads and supervises a team of two marketing and communications professionals, providing performance planning and evaluation, direction, support, and professional development opportunities. In addition, the Director works with department heads and center directors to align marketing and communications work to both college and university priorities.

Elements of a comprehensive and strategic marketing and communications program for the College of Natural Resources and Environment will include a wide range of tactics and strategies, including communications plans, news and feature stories, speeches for CNRE leadership, message alignment, marketing campaigns, media relations and pitches, publications, photography and videography, social media, advertising, and similar items. Specific platforms include websites, news and information websites, an email newsletter, and social media channels that support the college.

The Director will have a strong record of progressive experience in today's marketing and communications fields, including the development and implementation of a strategic, comprehensive marketing and communications program; evidence of strong communications, interpersonal, presentation, and marketing skills; and proficiency in using word processing, image processing, content management system, and social media tools. The ideal candidate will also have experience leading a team of marketing and communications professionals; a strong understanding of effective graphic design and branding principles and the use of the internet as a medium of communication; and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

The Director is designated as emergency personnel.

The position is based at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. The position reports to both the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications and the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Key Responsibilities
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, strategic marketing and communications plan that supports CNRE's and university's mission and priorities.
• Oversee and manage the creation of high-quality, engaging content, and create such content, for CNRE and university digital and print platforms
• Ensure that content is consistent with the university brand and standards such as editorial, messaging, and graphic design guidelines.
• Exercise oversight of all marketing and communications activities throughout the college and departments.
• Leverage metrics to gauge the effectiveness of marketing and communications strategies and make data-informed decisions to improve marketing and communications efforts.
• Collaborate with various teams, including the CNRE advancement team, the CNRE leadership team, the Council of the senior-most marketing and communications professionals from colleges and units across campus, university communicators, Marketing and Communications, and others.
• Oversee the quality of CNRE content as an editor across various platforms, including websites, social media, newsletters, reports, promotional materials, and more.
• In collaboration with the university's media relations team, develop and manage a comprehensive media relations program targeting strategic regional, trade, and national media outlets.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field; or bachelor's with experience equating to an advanced degree.

Demonstrated professional experience in communications, marketing, or related field.

Demonstrated familiarity with a range of communications principles including messaging, writing, editing, graphic design, visual communications, branding, marketing, advertising, electronic communications, and social media.

Demonstrated strong communications, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Self-motivated and capable of working in a complex matrix management environment.

Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program.

Experience defining goals and objectives, identifying target audiences, and measuring progress toward communications and marketing goals.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience supervising communications professionals

Familiarity with environmental and natural resource issues and research, and the ability to communicate technical content to a general audience.

Experience in executing marketing initiatives and the analysis and application of market research.

Experience working with business/industry, alumni engagement, or development initiatives.

Demonstrated budgetary supervision experience.

Experience in a higher education, independent school, scientific organization, or nonprofit environment.

Strong skills using technology in the workplace, familiarity with content management systems and email platforms; social media competencies.

Significant prior communications experience writing and producing publications and developing and placing stories with external media.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$80,000 - $90,000

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

November 1st, 2026

Additional Information

Ability to work nights and weekends, and participation in college and university programs when possible.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Advertised: September 25, 2026
Applications close: November 1, 2026 Eastern Standard Time

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