📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Executive Director of Communications
🔹 Company: University of Virginia
🔹 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 27, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team to implement comprehensive communications, branding, and marketing strategies for the Batten School
- Developing a strategic communications plan to enhance the school's reach and support its mission
- Managing various communication vehicles, including print, digital, web, social media, photo/video, and strategic events
- Collaborating extensively with the senior leadership team, faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a broad communications and marketing skillset, strategic planning, team management, and operational focus to build the needed communications infrastructure and processes.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop, implement, evaluate, and communicate results of a comprehensive, strategic communications and brand development program
✅ Lead and support a team that implements communications, branding, and marketing strategies to advance the mission and priorities of the Batten School
✅ Manage budget, recruit, mentor, inspire, develop, and retain a talented team
✅ Create messaging and content in a consistent tone and style with appropriate strategic judgment and precise attention to detail
✅ Shape strategic events developed by the Batten School, with other UVA units, as well as with external organizations and employers to raise the profile of the school
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of collaboration, adaptability, and flexibility to act on and leverage communication targets of opportunity.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree and at least 8 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or related field, or an advanced degree and 6 years of related experience
Experience: At least 3 years of management experience with the skills to recruit, mentor, inspire, develop, and retain a talented team
Required Skills:
- Exceptionally strong writing and editing skills
- Thorough expertise with contemporary communication principles, including brand development, content marketing, advertising, website strategy, social media usage, and digital storytelling
- Demonstrated budgetary supervision experience
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in a higher education or a similarly complex environment
- Strong skills using technology to advance communication objectives, familiarity with content management, social media, and email/direct contact automation systems
- Demonstrated experience developing and placing stories with external media
ASSUMPTION: Preferred qualifications are not required but would be beneficial for success in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 (Based on industry standards for a Director of Communications role in higher education with 10+ years of experience in Charlottesville, VA)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plans
- Tuition assistance
- Generous paid time off
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for evening and weekend events)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 1979
Company Description:
- UVA Physicians Group (UPG) is a supportive partner to UVA Medical Center and UVA School of Medicine
- UPG operates as a collaborative UVA Health entity supporting UVA Health physicians & providers at UVA Medical Center and in a number of Clinical Practice Group (CPG) locations throughout Charlottesville and the Commonwealth of Virginia
- UPG is an independent 501(c)3 University Associated Organization (UAO) and is governed by its own Board of Directors with a public majority
Company Specialties:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Research
Company Website: http://www.upg.virginia.edu/
ASSUMPTION: UPG is part of the University of Virginia Health System, which includes the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group, and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director/Manager
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Dean of the Batten School and collaborates extensively with the senior leadership team, faculty, staff, students, the Batten School Foundation Board, and others
Work Arrangement: On-site, with a strong preference for this role to be based in Charlottesville, Virginia
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the communications department or explore other opportunities within the University of Virginia Health System
- Chance to contribute to the strategic development and growth of the Batten School
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a modern and collaborative work environment
Office Location(s): 4105 Lewis & Clark Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22911, US
Geographic Context:
- Charlottesville, Virginia, is a vibrant city with a rich history and a strong sense of community
- The city offers a mix of urban and rural living, with easy access to outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and a thriving food scene
- Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, which is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the United States
Work Schedule: Full-time, with some flexibility for evening and weekend events
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is collaborative, inclusive, and focused on the success of the school and broader Batten community.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager, AJ Davidson
- On-site interview with the Dean of the Batten School and other senior leadership team members
- Final interview with the Batten School Foundation Board
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and strategic planning abilities
- Team management and leadership skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with the mission and values of the Batten School
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your strategic communications plan and how you would implement it for the Batten School
- Demonstrate your ability to manage a team and provide examples of your successful leadership experiences
ATS Keywords: Communications, Marketing, Brand Development, Content Marketing, Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Digital Storytelling, Team Management, Strategic Planning, Writing, Editing, Budget Management, Interpersonal Skills, Adaptability, Collaboration, Diversity and Inclusion
ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their qualifications and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant communications and marketing tools and be willing to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Inclusion
- Service
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Data-driven and results-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the University of Virginia's values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, inclusion, and service?
- How do you approach working in a diverse and inclusive environment?
- How do you balance strategic planning with the need for adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their fit with the company's values and work style, as well as their ability to thrive in a diverse and inclusive environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Balancing multiple priorities and deadlines
- Navigating a large and complex organization with multiple stakeholders
- Adapting to changes in the communications landscape and emerging technologies
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these challenges and demonstrate their ability to succeed in a dynamic and evolving work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Director of Communications or Marketing role in higher education, but with a focus on strategic planning and team management
- Compared to other communications roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative and inclusive environment, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion
- Career paths for this role may include advancing to a senior leadership position within the communications department or exploring other opportunities within the University of Virginia Health System
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles and be prepared to discuss how their experience and skills make them a strong fit for this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan for a new academic program or initiative
- Managing a team to create and execute a successful marketing campaign for an upcoming event or conference
- Collaborating with faculty and staff to create and distribute engaging and informative content for the Batten School's website and social media channels
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they would approach them in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall strategic plan for the Batten School?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the Batten School support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the Batten School's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
- How does the Batten School collaborate with other units within the University of Virginia Health System?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate their interest in the role and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a strategic communications plan and be ready to discuss it during the interview
- Be prepared to discuss your team management and leadership experiences
- Follow up with AJ Davidson, Managing Director, at ajh2d@virginia.edu one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
