Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications

At SimpsonScarborough, we spend our days building brands that endure, inspire, and elevate the all-important work of colleges and universities in shaping our future. Recognized as a leader in the higher ed marketing industry, our company runs a fully remote team of approximately 65 employees coast to coast.  

SimpsonScarborough is seeking a senior leader to build and lead our Strategic Communications practice, helping colleges and universities translate institutional ambition into narrative momentum. In this role, you will guide institutions in earning meaningful visibility, shaping reputation, and connecting communications strategy to enrollment, advancement, and brand outcomes.

You will also help integrate and scale strategic communications alongside SimpsonScarborough’s nationally recognized marketing and branding work.

Job Requirements: 

Lead the development of integrated strategic communications strategies that align institutional goals with brand, enrollment, and advancement priorities.

Translate institutional strategy into compelling narratives and story platforms that strengthen reputation and generate national and regional visibility.

Advise university presidents, cabinet leaders, and advancement executives on reputational positioning, thought leadership, and visibility strategy.

Embed strategic communications within major campaigns and institutional initiatives, ensuring earned media and narrative strategy support brand and marketing work from concept through activation.

Guide executive messaging, media engagement, and reputational risk strategy, particularly during moments of heightened visibility, scrutiny, or institutional transition.

Define measurement frameworks that connect communications performance to institutional outcomes, including enrollment interest, philanthropic momentum, and brand perception.

Help build and scale SimpsonScarborough’s strategic communications practice, contributing to new business development, service design, and mentorship of emerging communications talent.

Qualifications: 

8–10 years of experience in higher education communications, including roles such as strategic communications, media relations, institutional communications, or higher-education-focused agency work.

Demonstrated experience supporting institutional brand positioning and major initiatives, such as comprehensive campaigns, enrollment efforts, or institutional repositioning.

Experience advising senior university leaders, including presidents, cabinet members, advancement leaders, or foundation executives. 

Bachelor’s degree and/or any combination of education and relevant work experience.  

Salary, Perks & Benefits: 

Salary starts at $140,000.00 and will be commensurate with experience. 

SimpsonScarborough offers a full benefits package, including nationwide health coverage, dental, vision, employer paid life insurance, flexible time off (FTO), and voluntary benefits such as critical illness and accident insurance, 100% paid parental leave, and a 401k with employer contribution after 90 days. 

Perks include flexible work model including, monthly stipend, weeklong agency closures (summer and winter), and a day off for your birthday. 

At SimpsonScarborough, we believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to our core values, cultural norms, and critical to our long-term success. We believe this work is a continual effort that requires consistency, intentionality, vulnerability and accountability for ourselves and others. Through our efforts we strive to make impact in our work, in our workplace and in our industry. 

SimpsonScarborough is an equal opportunity employer. We have a strict anti-harassment policy and a no tolerance non-discrimination policy. We welcome employees of all backgrounds regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender identity, veteran status, and all characteristics protected by state and federal law.