Vice President of University Relations

Job description

Central Washington University is recruiting a Vice President to join our University Relations team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $190,000 - $240,000 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

The Vice President of University Relations (VP UR) is responsible for executive leadership for the Division of University Relations which is primarily responsible for advancing robust local, state, and federal relations as well as elevating the brand of the university through intentional and strategic marketing and communication. This position supports the vision, mission, values and strategic planning; implementing and directing all administrative activities; budgeting; hiring; and evaluating staff. The VP UR has responsibility for overseeing state and federal relations, marketing, communications, and business and community services. The VP UR is responsible for building collaborative relationships with other divisions, including Academic Affairs and Student Engagement and Success, to further the goals of the university, including recruitment and success of new students. The VP UR is further responsible for advancing the reputation of the university to a broad internal and external stakeholder audience through a comprehensive strategic communications plan. This position will directly impact the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a culture of welcoming and belonging. They engage their employees in meaningful work that fosters strong relationships, stewardship of resources, and the integration of diverse perspectives. All employees are expected to support CWU's unifying value of student success, as well as the core values of engagement, belonging, and stewardship.

Job Duties

Leadership

- Provide inspirational leadership to the Division of University Relations through a collaborative style that develops a team-based, organizational learning environment and that builds partnerships across the university.

- Inspire commitment to organizational goals, including strategic planning and mentoring and supervision of personnel.

- Facilitate a purposeful advancement of the vision and mission of the university within University Relations and in partnership with other divisions and offices.

- Create a service-oriented mindset within University Relations to meet the needs of the university community.

- Create unit based on relationships, respect, and responsibility that advances the vision of the university.

Branding, Marketing and Communications

- Oversee and advance the brand of the university both internally and externally.

- Support marketing that promotes the vision and mission of the university to a variety of audiences.

- Lead both crisis communication and general communication initiatives to a variety of audiences.

- Build partnerships with admissions and financial services staff to produce data-informed marketing strategies in support of enrollment priorities.

- Coordinate the activities of the office so that they contribute to marketing priorities for brand awareness generally, and student recruitment specifically.

Local, Regional, State and Federal Relations

- Lead in the development and implementation of regional economic and business development, in partnership with relevant agencies.

- Oversee state and federal relations directors to build a portfolio of requests that supports the vision and mission of the university.

- Provide leadership within the university in developing a transparent and inclusive process for building out the university's local, regional, state, and federal initiatives.

Management and Supervisory Duties

- Direct the development and implementation of a divisional strategic plan.

- Articulate marketing, communication, government relations, and economic and community development priorities to university leadership, especially Executive Leadership Team members and their direct reports.

- Manage the efficient and effective use of the University Relations operating budget; identify budget priorities.

- Oversee employment of University Relations employees: recruitment and hiring new employees; defining performance expectations, ensuring accountability, and providing ongoing informal feedback; directing and evaluating the work of staff; and promoting professional development opportunities.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in Higher Education or related field, plus:

Extensive experience in the following areas:Developing and implementing a portfolio of state initiatives and building state relations.

Managing policies, programs, and initiatives, including developing relations with a variety of state organizations.

As well as additional experience in any of the following areas:Developing and executing data-driven strategic communications, outreach, and marketing plans in support of organizational brand awareness and key enterprise fiscal and policy goals, including recruitment of students.

Coordinating communication with news reporters, editors, bloggers, etc.

Developing and implementing a business and community services operation for the region, connecting that work to state needs.

Developing and implementing a portfolio of federal initiatives and building federal relations.

Supervising, coordinating and developing staff in any of the following areas: government relations, communications, economic and community development, and marketing.

Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.

OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate in Higher Education or related field, plus:

Eight years of direct experience in advocating for and securing state funding to advance the mission of the university.

Experience developing and advocating for a federal portfolio of initiatives and funding.

Understanding of academic, business and governance systems of public baccalaureate institutions.

Understanding of Washington state legislative and political processes, including working with political caucuses or policy units.

Understanding of key public policy issues, especially those affecting public higher education at national and state levels.

Potential to mentor and educate students who will serve diverse populations.

Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.

Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.

Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.

Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.

Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Salary : This position has a minimum annual salary of $183,046 and maximum annual salary of $292,874. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $190,000 - $240,000. In accordance with RCW , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment : Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) / Weekends and evenings as necessary.

Working Conditions : Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel will be required.

Benefits : CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification.

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

Resume including work history, education, training; and

Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: April 7, 2025

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Please contact Human Resources at or if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment.

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Worksite address

ellensburg, WA, 98926, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.