The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Crisis, Reputation and Issues Management leads the reputation management unit within the Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for leading the development and implementation of internal and external communications plans and tactics that protect and enhance Vanderbilt University’s reputation and advance the university’s mission as a premier academic research institution.

This position works closely with other leaders in the division, including the Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing, as well as with campus partners to identify emerging issues related to the evolving higher education landscape; anticipate global issues that impact universities; recognize and elevate opportunities to engage in issues to advance the university’s thought leadership and brand; and create strategies and tactics to protect the university and/or further the university’s public affairs initiatives. This position will collaborate with the broader Vanderbilt communications team on related internal and external messaging.

Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications and Partner Relations, this position has supervisory responsibility. This role requires the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus according to the needs of the university and the Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing. 

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and deeply collaborative group. The division, with all of its departments and sub-teams, serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing and executing strategies that inform, engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University’s global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for other divisions in the university, providing comprehensive plans and thoughtful analysis on messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team continuously seeks innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in order to deliver results at scale to advance the larger mission, values and priorities of the university.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead development and implementation of communications plans and strategies to protect and enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation, including tactics, messaging, talking points and other key internal and external content—before, during, and after an issue emerges. Serve as a trusted, expert counselor to the chancellor, provost, and all vice chancellors and university leadership on ongoing issues, the university’s position on controversial issues and crisis management. Guide and implement appropriate response strategies during emerging, developing or active crisis periods or periods of controversy. As appropriate, bring an advocacy communications mindset to response approaches and be prepared to support bold institutional stances. Direct a high-functioning team that protects and promotes the Vanderbilt University brand and reputation. Serve as a Center of Excellence for the institution. Consistently demonstrate the ability to strategically maneuver through complex stakeholder environments.  Exhibit exceptional comfort with navigating risks and confidently handling high-pressure situations, including those that involve intense, contentious or fast-moving scenarios. Identify, anticipate and prioritize potential issues and reputational risks and develop proactive scenarios and responses. Demonstrate skill managing ambiguity and handling high-pressure situations; adeptly transform challenging situations into opportunities for organizational growth. Serve as a senior leader of and provide expert staffing support to the university’s Special Situation Team (SST), which convenes in anticipation of or response to crisis events and evolving issues that have the potential to create immediate and/or long-term harm to the university’s reputation and its trusting relationships with important stakeholders. Organize meeting agendas, facilitate discussion, capture action items, implement changes, and track follow-up for assigned tasks. Maintain processes and protocols for responding to various categories of issues, including protocols for decision-making and implementation amongst institutional leadership. Develop and maintain a system for anticipating and addressing potential and emerging issues. Monitor and report on emerging and ongoing issues through social media monitoring, online research and community interactions.  Serve as the university spokesperson with media and other stakeholders, when appropriate. Coordinate internal and external communication during a crisis, including communication for university leadership. Monitor national trends in higher education issues and develop plans for how these could affect the institution. Review accuracy of news stories, rumors and potential issues.  Serve as media contact on crisis and issues-related topics. Serve as an issues communications adviser for colleges, schools, Athletics, divisions, centers, institutes, and other units across campus. Work closely with representatives and leaders of these units to anticipate and respond to issues and trends.  Collaborate across teams to offer media and issues management training to representatives from colleges, schools, Athletics and other affiliated entities. In partnership with Vanderbilt’s media relations team, ensure timely assembly of accurate data for reporters in connection with issues and crises. Develop and deliver a monthly report outlining recent and ongoing issues and outreach, current status and recommendations for going forward. Build strong, collaborative relationships with safety and law organizations throughout, and beyond, the university. Support and closely coordinate with other relevant university groups and processes, such as emergency management, Public Safety, Title IX, Student Conduct, VUIT, Student Affairs, Student Accountability, and other formal processes for investigating misconduct. Ensure a high degree of integrity, transparency, and consistency in Vanderbilt’s response to crises and ongoing issues. When appropriate, serve as the Communications and Marketing representative to Vanderbilt’s emergency response team and EOC. Support acute emergencies and less intensive crises such as weather closings as appropriate. Train other key staff in best practices for emergency communications. Develop appropriate systems, processes, and protocols to be able to effectively and efficiently deliver on the position description.  Mentor and coach team members to provide excellent service and advance toward their career goals. Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion. Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times. Operate in a highly organized fashion with attention to detail on all projects.  Work outside regular business hours as needed to perform job responsibilities, including being officially on-call. Provide overall support as needed and assigned for department priorities and perform other relevant duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field is necessary. At least 12 years of experience in communications, public relations, or related field, including crisis experience, is necessary. Previous communications experience in a high-profile public or political environment is preferred.  Previous experience in crisis communications and issues management is necessary.