Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations

Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Upload cover letter (this is optional, but recommended) and resume (this is optional, but recommended) and unofficial transcripts (required). Reference checks, background screenings, and eVerify are required for all Laurel Ridge positions. Satisfactory reference, background screenings are a condition of employment.

Posting Details

 Posting Summary 

Working Title  | Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations
Role Title  | 12 month Administrative Faculty
Role Code  | 01126-SW
FLSA  | Exempt
Pay Band  | 00
Position Number  | 298FA084
Agency  | Laurel Ridge Community College
Agency/Division  | Laurel Ridge Community College (Div)
Work Location  | Frederick - 069
Hiring Range  | The hiring range for this position is $110,895.00 – $162,531.00 per year, however, actual starting salary will commensurate with education and/or experience
Emergency/Essential Personnel  | No
EEO Category  | A-Official or Administrator
Full Time or Part Time  | Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-  |
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?  |
Work Schedule  | Typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm. However, the position is on call as needed to include occasional evenings and weekends. Please note: while this position is seated at the Middletown campus, the selected candidate will be expected to work at all college locations.
Sensitive Position  | Yes

Job Description 
Laurel Ridge Community College seeks an experienced and dynamic leader to serve as Associate Vice President (AVP) of Communications and Community Relations. The AVP of Communications and Community Relations provides strategic leadership for the college’s integrated marketing and communications efforts and serves as the senior communications strategist. The AVP for Communications and Community Relations develops and implements comprehensive strategies to enhance the college’s brand and visibility while supporting enrollment, philanthropy, recruitment, outreach, and institutional priorities. The position serves as the Public Information Officer for the college including during crisis management situations.

Reporting directly to the President, the AVP will build and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials as well as community leaders. The AVP will be embedded in the community and will develop strategies that advance the College’s mission and goals. The position will work directly with the President and senior leadership team to develop communication and advocacy strategies for the college’s legislative agenda and funding priorities.

Department’s Areas of ResponsibilityPublic Relations and Communications· Office serves as the primary media contact for the college and liaisons with news media, radio, and television· Oversee content and development of college publications· Ensure the regular development of news stories, articles, and social media posts· Handle urgent communications needs· Lead crisis communications planning and response in collaboration with college leadership· Collaborate with college leadership to devise swift responses to unexpected events and issues· Serve on the college’s Emergency Management Team· Responsible for coordinating and developing campus and community messaging that effectively communicates the college’s value proposition and successes· Oversee communication strategy with internal audiences via the college Intranet and other tools· Integrates the value and impact of philanthropy into institutional messaging across all platforms, including the website, social media, newsletters, and press releasesMarketing and Brand Management· Ensure consistency of college’s brand identity across all platforms and materials· Responsible for enforcing college policies regarding brand and style guidelines· Provide strategic direction for innovative marketing campaigns that supports the strategic enrollment management plan and college enrollment goals· Responsible for the college’s photography, video, social/digital media, website design and content· Ensure the development of an annual marketing plan that aligns with strategic enrollment and college strategic plan goalsCollege Outreach and Events· Oversee the college outreach plan to support the strategic enrollment management plan and marketing plan goals· Collaborate with academic and workforce units at the college to develop and plan outreach strategies and events· Oversee college-wide eventsCommunity and Government Relations· Develop legislative and local government strategies to advance college’s funding priorities· Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, local government leaders, and community leaders· Oversee creation of communication and advocacy pieces as neededCollege Leadership· Provide public relations counsel and recommendations to senior leadership team· Collaborate with and serve as a resource for senior leaders on communications-related strategies and initiatives, marketing, branding or related matters· Foster positive collaborative relationships with campus and community constituents, and represent the college at various community events as needed· Manage a team of high functioning marketing and communications professionals· Responsible for budget oversight of unit

Work Schedule and Location: Typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm. However, the position is on call as needed to include occasional evenings and weekends. Please note: while this position is seated at the Middletown campus, the selected candidate will be expected to work at all college locations.

Compensation and Benefits The hiring range for this position is $110,895.00 – $162,531.00 per year, however, actual starting salary will commensurate with education and/or experience. The position is an administrative role and as such is eligible for the benefits package offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia for state agencies and the Virginia Community College System. For more information, please visit https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/ and https://www.vccs.edu/

TeleworkAccording to DHRM policy 1.61 Teleworking, effective July 5, 2022, Virginia state employees will return to the workplace. Consistent with pre-pandemic policies, telework may be an option for certain eligible positions. Eligible positions are determined by the type of work and job requirements of the position, as defined by heads of agencies.
Click here to learn about Laurel Ridge Community College. Laurel Ridge Community College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Laurel Ridge will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. Please email eeo@laurelridge.edu for further information.Sponsorship of an employee’s work authorization takes time and requires an ongoing financial investment. Therefore, Laurel Ridge Community College does not have funding to sponsor potential employees in the US on a work visa. We consistently follow this funding model to ensure our practices are not discriminatory. Exceptions would require approval from the college president.Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. While honoring bona fide occupational exceptions as needed, the college shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. The college also promotes a safe working environment and prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual violence and harassment. Know your rights!
Special Assignments  | May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
KSA's/Required Qualifications  | Master’s degree or equivalent education and experience Significant, progressive experience in marketing and/or communications or related field Progressive leadership role with direct supervision of a department or unit Demonstrated understanding of the higher education landscape Media relations, including building press relationships, serving as college spokesperson Digital communications, with strong understanding of social media strategy, SEO, and digital engagement Content strategy, including oversight of storytelling, videos, photography and web content to further institutional priorities Data and analytics, using data and metrics to inform and strengthen communication strategies
Additional Considerations  | Experience working in higher education marketing or communications Experience providing leadership to support both college enrollment goals and philanthropic initiatives Demonstrated experience with community or government relations
Operation of a State Vehicle  | No
Supervises Employees  | Yes
Required Travel  | Travel as per any required duties of the position, such as to sites/campuses and any training. Ability to cover assignments throughout the college service region as necessary for the job is required. The selected candidate is expected to work as needed (at times including evenings and weekends) and will need to work at all college locations.

 Posting Detail Information 

Posting Number  | FAC_1802P
Recruitment Type  | General Public - G
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Position End Date (if temporary)  |
Job Open Date  | 12/19/2025
Job Close Date  | 01/19/2026
Open Until Filled  |
Agency Website  | https://laurelridge.edu/
Contact Name  | Kris Iden
Email  | kiden@laurelridge.edu
Phone Number  |
Special Instructions to Applicants  | Upload cover letter (this is optional, but recommended) and resume (this is optional, but recommended) and unofficial transcripts (required). Reference checks, background screenings, and eVerify are required for all Laurel Ridge positions. Satisfactory reference, background screenings are a condition of employment.
Additional Information  |
Background Check Statement Disclaimer  | The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link:  http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement  | VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/91554

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