Assistant Vice President, University Communications

Assistant Vice President for University Communications

Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.

University Communications plays a central role in telling the story of Seattle Pacific University through strategic communications, marketing, digital engagement, and brand stewardship. Working collaboratively across the university, the team helps communicate SPU's distinctive mission, support enrollment and advancement goals, strengthen institutional reputation, and engage key audiences through compelling, mission-centered storytelling.

The Assistant VP for University Communications position supports Seattle Pacific University's mission by contributing to a Christ-centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU's values and purpose. To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations.

Seattle Pacific University is seeking an experienced and strategic Assistant Vice President for University Communications to provide leadership for the university's integrated communications, marketing, and brand strategy.

Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, this role provides leadership for a high-performing communications and marketing team responsible for institutional communications, digital and print marketing, website strategy, social media, content development, photography, videography, design, writing, and media relations.

The Assistant Vice President serves as a key strategic partner to Enrollment Management, University Advancement, the President's Cabinet, and the Office of the President to advance enrollment, fundraising, and institutional engagement goals while ensuring consistent brand alignment with SPU's mission, vision, and Christian values.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, collaborative leader, strong communicator, and experienced project manager who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is energized by helping shape the voice, visibility, and reputation of the university.

This is an on-campus position based in Seattle, WA.

Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and supervision for the University Communications team
• Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate a high-performing team responsible for communications, marketing, web, design, photography, videography, writing, social media, and media relations
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture that partners effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and university stakeholders
• Ensure effective use of analytics and assessment tools to evaluate communication and marketing effectiveness

Brand, Communications & Institutional Visibility

• Serve as principal leader for institutional branding, messaging, and communications strategy
• Partner with university leadership and the Office of the President to support strategic communications, executive messaging, crisis communications, emergency communications, and media relations
• Strengthen SPU's visibility, reputation, and mission clarity through compelling storytelling and integrated communications efforts
• Help position SPU and the President within broader community and constituent contexts

Enrollment Marketing & Constituent Engagement

• Partner closely with Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions to support enrollment goals through integrated digital and print communication strategies
• Help shape annual enrollment communications calendars and marketing campaigns aligned with institutional priorities
• Collaborate regularly with enrollment leadership and operations teams to optimize messaging, engagement, and conversion efforts
• Ensure digital marketing efforts and communications effectively support prospective students and families throughout the enrollment journey

Advancement, Storytelling & University Partnerships

• Partner with University Advancement to communicate compelling reasons to support Seattle Pacific University and strengthen donor, alumni, and parent engagement
• Support advancement communications including newsletters, donor storytelling, fundraising appeals, and case statements
• Collaborate across the university to elevate stories of student transformation, academic excellence, service, and mission impact

Digital Strategy, Project Management & Operations

• Provide leadership for the university website, ensuring content, style, accessibility, user experience, and digital engagement reflect SPU's mission and priorities
• Lead institutional social media and digital media strategies to strengthen engagement with prospective students, families, alumni, donors, and other constituents
• Oversee project management systems, vendor relationships, contracts, budgets, timelines, and departmental priorities
• Ensure communications projects are delivered on time with excellence, professionalism, and strong internal customer service

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, or public relations experience, including supervisory experience
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, projects, budgets, and strategic communication initiatives
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, branding, social media strategy, storytelling, and audience engagement
• Experience using analytics, data, and performance measures to inform communication and marketing strategies
• Working knowledge of AI tools for marketing and communications applications
• Experience with content management systems, CRM systems, digital communications platforms, and project management tools
• Strong organizational, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners in a mission-driven environment
• Mission Alignment: A personal commitment to Christian faith; enthusiasm for supporting SPU's mission; alignment with the University's Statement of Faith; and willingness to uphold the lifestyle standards of our Christian community

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Previous experience in higher education, nonprofit, or faith-based organizations
• Experience in Christian higher education or a Christian mission-driven organization
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate data and insights into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes
• Experience using tools such as Sitecore, WordPress, Jira, Slate CRM, Workday, or AI-enabled communications platforms
• Degree from a faith-integrated institution, such as a CCCU college or university

Compensation & Position Details

• Status: Full-time, exempt
• Department: Enrollment Management & Marketing
• Reports To: Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing
• Salary: Starts at $119,000 annually, commensurate to experience
• Location: On-campus at Seattle Pacific University, in Seattle, WA

Benefits: SPU pays employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance; provides HSA/HRA contributions; contributes 7% to a retirement account with immediate vesting (as eligible); and offers a tuition discount program for employees and qualified dependents.