SCAD seeks a strategic, visionary, and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President for Public Relations (VPPR). The VPPR is the university's communications expert and is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive public relations, media relations, influencer engagement, and strategic communications initiatives that enhance the university's reputation, rankings, visibility, and community engagement.
The VPPR will lead efforts to strengthen the university's brand, promote university priorities, manage crisis communications, and cultivate positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including media, alumni, donors, government agencies, employers, community organizations, faculty, staff, students, prospective students, families, creators, influencers, and cultural tastemakers.
Key Responsibilities - Develop and implement a university-wide public relations and communications plan aligned with university goals and priorities.
- Position the university as a global leader in art, design, entertainment, innovation, business, and higher education through proactive storytelling, strategic media outreach, and high-profile thought leadership initiatives.
- Serve as the university's primary media strategist and spokesperson.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, national, and international media outlets that result in productive accomplishment of daily and weekly publication goals set by the CMO.
- Secure and expand earned media placements in top-tier national and international publications including publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg, Business of Fashion, and leading global culture, fashion, entertainment, and design media outlets.
- Develop and lead an influencer relations strategy that advances university visibility, brand affinity, and audience engagement across fashion, art, design, luxury, entertainment, gaming, film, beauty, architecture, and digital culture sectors in conjunction with social media.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with creators, influencers, alumni, and industry tastemakers to amplify university storytelling, student success, academic excellence, and marquee events across digital and social platforms.
- Partner closely with marketing, admissions, and social media teams to identify collaboration opportunities that support enrollment growth, brand positioning, and audience expansion.
- Direct media relations efforts including press releases, interviews, executive visibility campaigns, and press statements.
- Consistently monitor media coverage, influencer sentiment, and public perception of the university and recommend strategic responses when appropriate.
- Lead crisis communications planning and response efforts.
- Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and rapid-response strategies.
- Counsel university leadership during sensitive or high-profile situations.
- Support enrollment, advancement, athletics, academic services, and student success initiatives through strategic communications campaigns.
- Lead and mentor public relations staff, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, creativity, responsiveness, and excellence.
- Establish metrics and assess the effectiveness of communications, influencer partnerships, earned media coverage, and public relations initiatives on a regular basis.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public relations, communications, media relations, brand partnerships, or strategic communications.
- Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic communications plans that gain local, national, and international recognition for previous employer(s).
- Proven experience securing earned media coverage in top-tier publications and managing high-visibility media relationships.
- Experience developing influencer, creator, or celebrity engagement strategies that measurably increased brand awareness and audience engagement.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience serving as a spokesperson and managing media relations.
- Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with crisis communications and reputation management.
- Familiarity with digital media strategy, influencer ecosystems, analytics, and emerging communications technologies.
Certificates, licenses, and registrations: Travel required: 20-40%
Work hours: The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To accommodate business needs, employees may be assigned to other workdays and/or hours, including weekends and evenings.
