The Vice President for Communications and External Relations, a member of the President’s senior leadership team, leads the College’s integrated brand and communication strategy to advance the reputation of Spelman College, its mission, and strategic priorities and manages the team responsible for events. The VP serves as the chief communications officer, with responsibility for the brand and reputation across a portfolio that includes media relations, crisis & emergency communications, special events, events operations, services, and protocols, marketing communications, internal communications, executive communications and speechwriting, creative services, public relations, and digital strategy.

This position provides strategic direction, oversight, and resource development to define, protect, and enhance the College’s brand position; develops and implements alternative revenue strategies; raises awareness of the College’s unique attributes; and effectively engages stakeholders in support of key strategic and financial goals. The Vice President provides consultation to the president, provost, vice presidents, and other senior academic and administrative leaders to identify relevant priorities and achieve key goals. Strong analytical and research skills are essential a past history of defining competitive landscape and developing detailed plans to measure target performance.

Leading a team currently of 17 professionals, the Vice President supervises: strategic communications and marketing, digital & web strategy and accessibility, social media and creative content, editing and executive writing, creative services and graphic design, and events. The incumbent is responsible for the design and effective implementation of a communications plans to increase enrollment, charitable giving and visibility of the College as well as ensure brand standards and event protocols are executed consistently across the College.