Communications Director, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center

at  Vanderbilt University

The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, within the department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, aims to accelerate states’ implementation of evidence-based policies that help all children thrive from the start. The Communications team at the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center disseminates the latest rigorous research and policy analysis to educate policy makers and impact policy action.

WE SEEK AN INNOVATIVE AND EXPERIENCED LEADER TO BUILD, LEAD, DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES TO STRENGTHEN AND GROW THE CENTER’S NETWORK OF EXTERNAL AUDIENCES AND HELP AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT IN THE FIELD. EXPERIENCE IN PEOPLE MANAGEMENT AND MULTI-CHANNEL ENGAGEMENT IS KEY.

General Notes:
This position reports functionally and administratively to the Managing Director of Strategy and Partnerships. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment to continue to build a strong and equitable prenatal-to-3 system of care. This position can be performed remotely, and hybrid remote-work opportunities are available.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required/Essential qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight years of related experience is required. Additional related experience may substitute for required education.
• Experience successfully developing and implementing a communications strategy to achieve organizational goals
• Expertise synthesizing complex concepts clearly and concisely and communicating sensitive topics effectively
• Ability to discern and justify the appropriate messages for different lengths and formats
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, strong problem-solving abilities, tenacity about details and organization
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent proofing and editing abilities with strong attention to detail
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with others in a team environment
• Able to come up to speed on new topics quickly, multi-task effectively, and produce high- quality work under time constraints; flexible and able to adapt to changing timelines and circumstances when needed
• Experience providing supervision and guidance to other staff

• Demonstrated understanding and support for key concepts in diversity, equity, and inclusionDemonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of the position include:

Strategic leadership and management:

• Partner with PN3 senior leadership to develop and maintain strategic short- and long-term organizational goals
• Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to meet organizational goals, in partnership with PN3 senior leadership, Outreach and Engagement team leadership, and Center staff
• Develop and manage content calendars based on marketing and communication goals that reflect event and campaign production timelines
• Develop a Center-wide messaging guide to ensure consistency across staff members in external communication and engagement
• Oversee a team of communication, marketing, and graphic design specialists and provide on-going mentoring and feedback to support the professional growth and career development of staff
• Advise and train Center staff and students as needed on communication issues, policies, and practices to support a seamless implementation of the marketing and communications strategy
• Partner with and support Center staff to develop original content and opportunities to meet communication goals and to translate complex research findings to policy action
• Coordinate and collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams within Peabody College and the broader Vanderbilt community
• Develop content expertise by staying informed of project related current news and research to share with Center staff and external network
• Regularly share communications updates to director, staff, and external audiences
• Work in close collaboration with the Outreach team on product development, external engagements, and event coordination

Marketing, writing, and graphic design

• Lead in the development of voice and branding/visual style for all external communications to meet strategic goals and reach intended audiences
• Direct creation of informative and interesting press releases, press kits, newsletters, and related marketing materials.
• Oversee management of external email contact lists
• Lead and manage communications around special events:
• Lead communication with external parties, designing materials, and marketing
• Design and produce marketing materials associated with events (event logo design, email campaign design, signage, leave behinds, program, etc.)
• Manage email campaigns to maximize attendance and contact list growth
• Ensure all external pieces are consistent in voice, including the adaptation/translation of research and policy reports, briefs, and other publications for marketing purposes and the writing of original content
• Ensure all external pieces are consistent in branding/visual style, including the design of the website, primary branding pieces (report/brief/working papers templates, presentation template, leave behinds, posters, letterhead, promotional pieces); materials for special events; external publications (reports, briefs, website publications, visualizations, etc.); and project graphic design needs (custom art, surveys, etc.)
• Seek new and innovate strategies to track and monitor relevant analytics to improve communication effectiveness and efficiency
• Seek and implement innovation and improvements in use of communication channels and features: branding, website, social media (all), mass email, public relations

• Identify opportunities for and oversee improvements of Center websiteStay up-to-date on the most timely and relevant communications and marketing practices in the field

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities… we are One Vanderbilt .
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position