Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications

American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUA), operated by Manipal Education Americas, LLC, is seeking a visionary, strategic, and dynamic leader to serve as Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communication. AUA provides a learner-centered, internationally recognized medical education and is committed to expanding access to medical education, supporting underrepresented students, and developing compassionate physicians prepared to address global healthcare needs. The University offers a U.S.-modeled medical curriculum, with preclinical education in Antigua and clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals in the United States and beyond. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished enrollment-management executive to shape the future of the institution and the medical profession. The Vice President will lead the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of academically qualified, diverse, and mission-aligned students while strengthening the integrity, effectiveness, and reach of the admissions operation. Position Summary Reporting to senior leadership, the Associate Vice President provides executive leadership for institutional marketing, communications, and brand strategy. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance institutional visibility, strengthen brand reputation, support enrollment growth, increase student recruitment, enhance alumni engagement, and advance institutional priorities across domestic and international markets. The Associate Vice President leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for branding, digital marketing, content development, creative services, public relations, and media relations while partnering closely with executive leadership, enrollment management, academic affairs, student affairs, and advancement to ensure consistent, compelling, and data-informed communications that support the University's strategic goals. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Brand Strategy Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate comprehensive marketing and communications strategies aligned with the University's mission, vision, strategic plan, enrollment objectives, and institutional priorities. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on brand strategy, messaging, reputation management, crisis communications, and institutional positioning. Lead market research, audience analysis, and competitive assessments to identify growth opportunities and strengthen institutional visibility. Ensure consistent institutional messaging and brand identity across all communications and stakeholder touchpoints. Lead integrated marketing campaigns supporting enrollment growth, academic program expansion, student recruitment, partnerships, and advancement initiatives. Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Advancement, and Executive Leadership to develop targeted marketing initiatives. Oversee institutional storytelling that highlights academic excellence, student success, faculty achievements, research, and institutional impact. Promote consistent brand alignment throughout the institution. Communications, Media Relations & Executive Messaging Provide leadership for institutional communications, executive messaging, newsletters, major announcements, and strategic initiatives. Develop proactive media relations strategies that strengthen relationships with local, national, and international media. Lead crisis communications planning and institutional response efforts. Protect and strengthen the University's reputation through effective communications planning and execution. Lead digital marketing strategies across websites, social media, email marketing, paid digital advertising, and emerging platforms. Utilize analytics and performance metrics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and guide strategic decision-making. Foster innovation in digital communications while maintaining institutional brand standards. Monitor emerging marketing technologies, trends, and best practices to improve engagement and institutional visibility. Leadership & Operational Management Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team responsible for marketing, communications, creative services, public relations, and digital media. Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Develop and manage departmental budgets and vendor relationships. Present annual marketing and communications plans and budget recommendations to senior leadership. Qualifications & Experience Required: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in marketing and communications. Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies within higher education or another complex organization. Proven experience leading multidisciplinary marketing and communications teams. Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project management skills. Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Experience developing institutional branding initiatives and integrated marketing campaigns. Ability to analyze market trends and performance data to inform strategic decisions. Experience managing departmental budgets and external vendor relationships. Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with executive leadership and diverse internal and external stakeholders. Preferred: Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related leadership field. Experience working within higher education, global education, or another mission-driven organization. Experience leading crisis communications and reputation management initiatives. Familiarity with digital analytics, SEO/SEM, CRM platforms, paid media strategies, and modern marketing technologies. Work Location and Schedule New York, New York - in-office/hybrid. Full-time, Monday through Friday, generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Compensation and Benefits A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a retirement plan with employer match; university-paid short- and long-term disability insurance; and life insurance. Manipal Education Americas, LLC, American University of Antigua College of Medicine, and American University of Antigua College of Arts and Sciences are equal opportunity employers. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr