Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing Communications

Georgia State University seeks an innovative, creative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing Communications (VP).

With more than 50,000 students from over 150 countries and all U.S states and territories, Georgia State University is the largest university in the state and one of the largest in the nation. Georgia State offers more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study, taught by over 1500 faculty members.

For the past six years, Georgia State University has been identified as the second most innovative university in the country by U.S. News and World Report. With a research campus in downtown Atlanta and five associate-degree granting campuses throughout the metro Atlanta area, the university provides its world-class faculty and students with unsurpassed connections to the opportunities available in one of the 21st century's great global cities.

A leader in graduating students from diverse backgrounds, Georgia State provides a rich experience with award-winning housing, hundreds of student clubs and organizations, an NCAA Division 1 sports program, and one of the most dynamic and determined student bodies in the country.

Nearly two-thirds of students are Pell-eligible, 35% are first-generation, and 70% come from under-represented groups. Georgia State is a national model for student success. Over the past decade, the university has increased its graduation rate by 23 points, the most dramatic increase of any national university, and eliminated achievement gaps. It achieves these results by leveraging technology in a variety of areas, including academic support, financial support, and utilizing predictive analytics in advising. The university graduates 2,800 more students per year than just five years ago, has reduced the time to degree by nearly a semester, saving students $21 million per year. Because of these and other results, U.S. News and World Report ranks Georgia State as the #1 public university in the United States for its commitment to undergraduate teaching.

Over the last ten years, the university has simultaneously achieved significant research success. Georgia State's 12 colleges and schools are home to many nationally ranked academic programs and excellent research and teaching faculty. Since 1996, research expenditures have increased tenfold to over $200 million in fiscal year 2023. In 2023, university faculty earned $224.72 million in research funding — the highest total in university history. Twenty investigators were awarded $1 million or more. Georgia State has established centers to advance the university's identity as an urban research institution and significantly expanded opportunities for international engagement.

Reporting to the President, Dr. M. Brian Blake, and a member of the senior leadership team, the VP will be a compelling storyteller and bring the core competencies, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to articulate GSU's impressive success and distinctive identity to develop strategies that powerfully communicate the university's brand and value proposition.The VP will bring a diverse background of experiences across communications, marketing, technology, media, and crisis communications. The ideal candidate must exhibit exceptional leadership qualities, a strong dedication to the university's mission, vision, and values, and the experience, creativity, and innovation to enact a bold marketing/communications plan to propel the university to greater levels of visibility and recognition.

The VP must have a record of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in marketing/communications in education, non-profit, government, or industry. Demonstrated success in leading, developing, and implementing a broad range of communications, public relations, and marketing initiatives in a complex environment is required, as is a bachelor's degree.

Prior experience in higher education, particularly in an urban, public, multi-campus institution is preferred as is an understanding of emerging trends and expertise in digital marketing.

Candidates should submit a current resume and a cover letter describing their interest and qualifications for the position.

Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to Ann Yates, Martin Baker, and Chelsie Whitelock via email at gsuvp@buffkinbaker.com


Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The University provides equal opportunity to all employees, students, and applicants for employment or admission and complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

The University is an equal opportunity employer. As a federal contractor, in accordance with Executive Orders 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), it is the University's policy to take affirmative actions to employ and to advance in employment all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on legitimate job requirements and merit. This policy applies to all employment actions, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.

Further, the University prohibits citizenship status and immigration status discrimination in employment actions except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

jeid-1da1f7fb7cb7a8419257a05496fc0653