VP for Public Relations

As the vice president for public relations, you will serve as the university's primary media strategist and spokesperson, 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. In this role, you will lead efforts to strengthen the university's brand, promote university priorities, manage crisis communications, and cultivate positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


To position the university as a global leader in design, entertainment, innovation, and higher education, you will develop and implement a university-wide public relations and communications plan using proactive storytelling, strategic media outreach, and high-profile thought leadership initiatives. It will be your responsibility to build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets that accomplish daily and weekly publication goals. You will also secure and expand earned media placements in top-tier publications, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Business of Fashion, and other leading global culture, fashion, entertainment, and design media outlets.


As you cultivate and manage relationships with creators, influencers, alumni, and industry tastemakers, you will develop and lead an influencer relations strategy that advances university visibility, brand affinity, and audience engagement across sectors. You will also partner closely with marketing, admission, and social media teams to identify collaboration opportunities that amplify university storytelling, student success, academic excellence, and marquee events across digital and social platforms, supporting overall enrollment growth. To assess the effectiveness of communications, influencer partnerships, earned media coverage, and public relations initiatives, you will establish and assess metrics on a regular basis.


In this role, you will also direct media relations efforts (including press releases, interviews, executive visibility campaigns, and press statements) as well as consistently monitor media coverage, influencer sentiment, and public perception of the university, recommending strategic responses when appropriate. Additional responsibilities include leading crisis communications planning and response efforts, developing and maintaining crisis communication protocols and rapid-response strategies, and counseling university leadership during sensitive or high-profile situations. As you accomplish all of the responsibilities above, you will lead and mentor public relations staff, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, creativity, responsiveness, and excellence.


The successful candidate is an exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communicator with experience serving as a spokesperson and managing media relations. The candidate must have the proven ability to lead teams and manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment, as well as experience with crisis communications and reputation management. Familiarity with digital media strategy, influencer ecosystems, analytics, and emerging communications technologies is essential.


Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field
• At least 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

Certificates, licenses, and registrations:

• Valid driver's license

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.


ADA tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and minimum qualifications listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and/or meet the minimum qualifications.