Santa Clara University (SCU), a private Jesuit, Catholic institution located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is dedicated to fostering ethics, social consciousness, and cross-disciplinary education for over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Leadership  This roadmap outlines key priorities for shaping the University's future, including:

• Affordable access to a Santa Clara education for all talented students

• Human-centered solutions to the world's most pressing issues

• Intercultural initiatives for global learning, research, and service

• A commitment to inclusion and belonging

Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities, SCU boasts impressive graduation rates, a curriculum blending high-tech innovation with Jesuit values, strong NCAA Division I programs and notable alumni achievements. SCU is poised to enhance their national and global presence, with communications playing an important role. President Sullivan prioritizes Marketing and Communications, and established it as a cabinet-level unit, giving it the voice and access required to advance a strategic, integrated communications vision for the University.

To that end, University Marketing and Communications (UMC) recently introduced a new brand platform, visual identity, enrollment, and storytelling campaigns that align with and advance Impact 2030 priorities. This evolution has established UMC as a catalyst for strategic communication, positioning it at the heart of SCU’s efforts to tell its story with impact and purpose.

Through dynamic, cross-platform storytelling, UMC supports SCU’s enrollment, advancement, and leadership goals. Its units span brand strategy, visual identity, social and earned media, digital communications, and crisis, internal, and executive communications. UMC also produces SCU’s award-winning University magazine and serves as the central communications hub, collaborating with communicators across campus to build community, share best practices, and foster effective brand storytelling that resonates with SCU’s diverse audiences.

With a strong influence across the University, UMC is positioned to drive an integrated, strategic communications approach that attracts prospective students and employees, raises awareness, and builds support for SCU’s ambitious Impact 2030 roadmap—an inspiring pathway for growth and innovation.

Title

Assistant Vice President of Communications

Reports to

Lawrence Lokman, Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Opportunity Proposition

This is an exciting moment to join Santa Clara University’s Marketing and Communications team as a key leader during a time of transformative growth and elevated visibility. As a newly established cabinet-level unit, UMC is poised to drive innovation and alignment across SCU communications. The AVP for University Communications will have the unique opportunity to help shape and execute a forward-thinking vision for storytelling, media relations, and internal/external communications, while fostering collaboration and thought leadership across campus. This role is pivotal to advancing SCU’s mission and enhancing its reputation at a transformative time for the University.

Principal Responsibilities

The AVP for University Communications will lead development and implementation of a proactive,  integrated content strategy that supports storytelling and ensures cohesive, compelling messaging across all internal and external platforms, including digital, social, traditional media, and direct engagement.

The AVP will oversee key UMC units—Social Media, Storytelling, Santa Clara Magazine, Media Relations, and Internal Communications—and lead initiatives that drive external visibility through thought leadership and proactive reputation management. Additionally, the AVP will play a critical role in unifying messaging across campus, fostering collaboration across campus, and advancing initiatives that support enrollment, philanthropy, and engagement with key audiences such as prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader SCU community.

Some of the specific duties include:

• Storytelling and Integrated Content Strategy

• Leadership and Team Development

• Media Relations

• Crisis and Issues Management

• Social Media and Digital Engagement

• Internal Engagement

• Measurement and Insights

Click here to download the full position description

To formally apply, please complete the form below and attach your resume and cover letter.