Vice President for Communications University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minnesota The University of Minnesota (the University or U of M), the state’s land-grant university and one of the most prestigious public research universities in the nation, seeks a collaborative, innovative, and strategic leader to serve as its Vice President for Communications (VPC). This is an exceptional opportunity to join a Big Ten university at a pivotal time in its history and under the direction of a new president.Dr. Rebecca Cunningham became president of the University on July 1, 2024, serving as the leader of the five-campus system. Reporting directly to President Cunningham, the VPC will play a critical role in continuing to emphasize the University’s contributions to local communities and the state, while also elevating its reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities. The University’s service to the state can be measured across multiple areas: its five campuses, which serve 68,000 undergraduate and graduate students; its over 600,000 alumni, 62 percent of whom live in Minnesota and contribute to its economy; its health care enterprise, which serves over 1.3 million patients annually in hospitals and clinics across the state; and its Extension programs, which provide solutions, practical education, and training for all Minnesotans. Similarly, the University’s impact in national and international spheres can be measured by $1.2 billion in annual research funding, its National Science Foundation rank as 12th among U.S. public research universities, Times Higher Ed Sustainability Impact Ranking as 5th nationally and in the top 10 percent globally, and its global programs and strategy alliance.As a key member of the President’s cabinet and leadership team, the VPC is also a trusted and reliable partner to the Board of Regents, all four campus Chancellors, and other senior leaders on all issues related to the University’s reputation, communications, marketing, and branding. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and accomplished communications and marketing professional to build on the University’s existing strengths and success, further elevating its reputation and support for its mission and programs. To that end, the VPC will develop and implement a comprehensive communications, marketing, and reputation strategy—building upon the strong Driven to Discover brand—that clearly defines systemwide priorities and messages and, simultaneously, influences communications and marketing efforts across the campuses through collaboration and partnership. This work will result in a strategic platform that unifies messaging and branding for the University; supports and furthers the goals of the entire institution, as well as the individual campuses and units; and engages constituencies both on and off campus.The successful candidate will have a clear record of accomplishments as an innovative and collaborative leader in a large, complex organization with local, national, and international reach. The VPC will possess substantial experience developing and implementing multifaceted communications and marketing efforts that position and elevate the awareness and understanding of an institution with multiple audiences – internally, externally, and with a variety of politically and culturally diverse communities and stakeholders. This person will possess exceptional diplomacy, judgment, and integrity; a full understanding of the communications, marketing, and branding process from conceptualization to implementation; expert knowledge of traditional, digital, video, and emerging media; experience and savvy in crisis communications and issues management; and demonstrated success fostering an inclusive team culture and building an efficient, cohesive, and collaborative team. The VPC must be able to articulate a vision for communications, marketing, and branding that advances the University’s reputation with all its diverse audiences and inspires internal communications partners across the organization. Equally important are a collaborative, collegial orientation and the flexibility to navigate a large and complex university community. A bachelor’s degree and at least 12 years of demonstrated senior leadership are required.The annual salary range for this position is $325,000 to $375,000. The stated hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting.Jack Gorman is leading this search with Elizabeth Neustaedter and Sandeep Kaur. The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This document is available in alternative formats upon request. APPLY NOMINATE contact Elizabeth Neustaedter Full Description
The University of Minnesota (the University or U of M), the state’s land-grant university and one of the most prestigious public research universities in the nation, seeks a collaborative, innovative, and strategic leader to serve as its Vice President for Communications (VPC). This is an exceptional opportunity to join a Big Ten university at a pivotal time in its history and under the direction of a new president.Dr. Rebecca Cunningham became president of the University on July 1, 2024, serving as the leader of the five-campus system. Reporting directly to President Cunningham, the VPC will play a critical role in continuing to emphasize the University’s contributions to local communities and the state, while also elevating its reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities. The University’s service to the state can be measured across multiple areas: its five campuses, which serve 68,000 undergraduate and graduate students; its over 600,000 alumni, 62 percent of whom live in Minnesota and contribute to its economy; its health care enterprise, which serves over 1.3 million patients annually in hospitals and clinics across the state; and its Extension programs, which provide solutions, practical education, and training for all Minnesotans. Similarly, the University’s impact in national and international spheres can be measured by $1.2 billion in annual research funding, its National Science Foundation rank as 12th among U.S. public research universities, Times Higher Ed Sustainability Impact Ranking as 5th nationally and in the top 10 percent globally, and its global programs and strategy alliance.As a key member of the President’s cabinet and leadership team, the VPC is also a trusted and reliable partner to the Board of Regents, all four campus Chancellors, and other senior leaders on all issues related to the University’s reputation, communications, marketing, and branding. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and accomplished communications and marketing professional to build on the University’s existing strengths and success, further elevating its reputation and support for its mission and programs. To that end, the VPC will develop and implement a comprehensive communications, marketing, and reputation strategy—building upon the strong Driven to Discover brand—that clearly defines systemwide priorities and messages and, simultaneously, influences communications and marketing efforts across the campuses through collaboration and partnership. This work will result in a strategic platform that unifies messaging and branding for the University; supports and furthers the goals of the entire institution, as well as the individual campuses and units; and engages constituencies both on and off campus.The successful candidate will have a clear record of accomplishments as an innovative and collaborative leader in a large, complex organization with local, national, and international reach. The VPC will possess substantial experience developing and implementing multifaceted communications and marketing efforts that position and elevate the awareness and understanding of an institution with multiple audiences – internally, externally, and with a variety of politically and culturally diverse communities and stakeholders. This person will possess exceptional diplomacy, judgment, and integrity; a full understanding of the communications, marketing, and branding process from conceptualization to implementation; expert knowledge of traditional, digital, video, and emerging media; experience and savvy in crisis communications and issues management; and demonstrated success fostering an inclusive team culture and building an efficient, cohesive, and collaborative team. The VPC must be able to articulate a vision for communications, marketing, and branding that advances the University’s reputation with all its diverse audiences and inspires internal communications partners across the organization. Equally important are a collaborative, collegial orientation and the flexibility to navigate a large and complex university community. A bachelor’s degree and at least 12 years of demonstrated senior leadership are required.The annual salary range for this position is $325,000 to $375,000. The stated hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting.Jack Gorman is leading this search with Elizabeth Neustaedter and Sandeep Kaur. The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This document is available in alternative formats upon request.