Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Institute of National Security

The Director of Communications is a crucial member of the Vanderbilt Institute of National Security team at Vanderbilt University. This position is responsible for creating and managing content and messaging that supports the Institute’s vision and priorities. The Director will ensure that all written communications effectively advance the Institute’s mission, values, and strategic direction.

This role is highly hands-on and requires an individual who can act as both a player and coach, managing projects independently while also providing strategic guidance. The Director will work closely with the Founding Director and Executive Director of the Institute and other senior leaders to ensure consistent and compelling messaging.

The newly launched Institute of National Security at Vanderbilt University is led by renowned military leader General Paul M. Nakasone. The institute leverages Vanderbilt's interdisciplinary expertise to address emerging national security threats, with a focus on accelerating innovation, educating students and the national security workforce, convening thought leaders, and advising government on critical security initiatives. Housed in the School of Engineering, the institute has broad involvement from faculty and students across Vanderbilt's colleges and schools. This unique institute presents an opportunity for individuals with backgrounds in fields such as engineering, cybersecurity, policy, and more to contribute to vital national security research and solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted expert in creating and managing content for the Institute, its leadership and executive partners.
• Project Management: Independently handle multiple projects with varying deadlines, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality content.
• Strategic Messaging: Collaborate with Vanderbilt’s Central and the School of Engineering Marketing and Communications teams on messaging strategies.
• Strategic Planning: Implementing comprehensive communication strategies with the Executive Director, Institute of National Security and Founding Director of the Institute of National Security
• Internal Communication Management: Overseeing the flow of information within the Institute and overseeing the internal messaging and use of various communication channels to ensure alignment and consistent messaging.
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams within the school of Engineering, the Office of the Chancellor and Marketing and Communications, to align communication efforts, to support the overall objectives of the Institute.
• External Communication Oversight: Overseeing the organizations external communication such as media relations, drafting and editing speeches, op-eds and other high-importance communications for the Institute.
• Ensuring consistent and effective representation of the of the organization of the organization brand and image across all communication platforms.
• Confidentiality and Ethics: Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion.
• Performance Metrics: Develop and track metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of communications.
Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in writing and managing communications for high-profile individuals or institutions is required.
• Attention to detail, high level of accuracy, and strong organizational skills are required.
• Strong writing, editing, and project management skills are required.
• Ability to produce fact-checked materials and incorporate feedback effectively is required.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously is required.
• Ability to balance the diverse needs of the job and its various constituents (faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, and prospective and current students) and to work with flexibility, and at times under pressure, on several tasks simultaneously and to meet various concurrent deadlines is required.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including strong MS Excel knowledge is required.
• Professional and clear communication skills, both written and oral are required.
Professional experience in the higher education setting is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

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Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.