Vice President of Communications

Overview

Who We Are:

 

National Louis is a 135 year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and asks how do we become more “student ready” so that we may better serve our students. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our community works hard in the service of students and supports one another like a family. 

 

What We Offer:

 

At National Louis University we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Benefits.

 

What You Will Do:

 

Reporting to the President, and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the Vice President (VP) of Communications will be responsible for the development of National Louis University’s (NLU) internal and external communications strategy and will contribute to NLU's organizational strategic planning process. The VP of Communications will develop a world-class communications plan for the University, directly managing communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organization's brand reputation. The VP of Communications will be responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization and its leadership. This individual will be an ambassador for the organization and will need to build relationships with the media. The goal is to advance NLU's position with relevant constituents, as well as to drive broader awareness and donor support for the organization. The VP of Communications will be responsible for NLU's varied and integrated communications products and services including: newsletters and other print publications; web, e-news, digital journalism and other online communications; and media and public relations. 

Essential Responsibilities

Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance NLU’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences.
• Create a marketing/public relations strategy that will allow NLU leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Serve as communications counselor to NLU leadership.

 

Communications Operations

• Oversee development of NLU print communications including the annual report, and new media; work collaboratively with Chief Marketing Officer to ensure brand alignment with the website and marketing collateral; manage relationships with associated vendors.
• Partner with Institutional Advancement in the development of relevant case statements for support, and donor-facing materials and publications, including the alumni magazine, and other strategic documents. Provide guidance in the timely dissemination of information with relevance to donors and key constituents.
• Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization.
• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting materials as needed.
• Actively engage, cultivate and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding NLU’s programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects.
• Create content and oversee all contributors to ensure quality and professionalism for the website blog and social media articles.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning, and staff development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred 
• Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior management role either in-house or with an agency 
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements 
• Extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media 
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications, media relations, and marketing program to advance an organization's mission and goals 
• Creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be utilized 
• A minimum of five years of experience in planning, writing, editing, and production of newsletters, press releases, annual reports, marketing literature, and other print publications and directories 
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output 
• Excellent judgment and creative problem -solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills 
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers 
• Stature, gravitas, and confidence to gain the credibility and respect of leaders and influencers in the external and internal community. 
• Self -reliant, good problem solver, results oriented 
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs 
• Excellent and persuasive communicator 
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a  leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance, and administration initiatives 
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management and staff 
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker 
• Passion for NLU’s mission 

NLU Inclusion Statement:

 

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued.  We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

 

ABOUT NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY

 

National Louis University (NLU) is looking to honor its past while defining a bold new future as a contemporary comprehensive university dedicated to preparing diverse students for sustained professional success. NLU is keen on providing a career-building, life-changing education that is accessible to all students. The University offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six academic units: the Undergraduate College, Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, the National College of Education,  the School of Business and Information Technology and Accelerate U, the short term credentialing academic unit. NLU is one of the most diverse universities in the Midwest, helping students of all ages and backgrounds achieve their personal and professional goals.

 

NLU is a teaching-focused and student-centered university committed to providing access to a far-reaching exceptional education that is market-aligned and cost-effective. The University offers programs at multiple locations and through various modalities including face-to-face, online, synchronous and remote learning in which courses can be supplemented with well-planned and meaningful on-campus experiences. The University has experienced unprecedented growth and currently serves approximately 10,500 students at four locations in Illinois and Florida.

 

Founded in 1886, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit university offering programs through the doctoral level. NLU is an HSI and MSI and is classified as an Engaged Institution by the Carnegie Foundation and has been named as a top ten institution by Money Magazine where its alumni believe they are making the world “a better place.” The University has had more Golden Apple Award winners among its graduates in teacher preparation than any institution across the state. Graduates from NLU enter the workforce earning an estimated $43,000 per year after graduation, ranking NLU among the top five of all Illinois post-secondary schools. The University has received more than $100 million in funding for applied research projects in urban development, childhood development, school improvement, and teacher preparation. For the last two years, NLU was ranked in the top 20 in Washington Monthly for Universities that are working to make the world a better place.  National Louis, , was number four for social mobility and number onefor best bang for your buck in the Midwest most recently. NLU is recognized as a national leader in closing the post-secondary completion gap through its innovative approach to undergraduate education.

 

Located in the center of Chicago’s downtown loop, across the street from the Art Institute, NLU is in an area that has been recognized as America’s largest campus with over 25 institutions and 50,000 students attending a college across the city. To learn more about National Louis University visit.

 

Leadership

President Nivine Megahed became the eleventh president of National Louis University in March of 2010. Dr. Megahed has over 30 years of experience making higher education more accessible for students of all backgrounds. 

 

Under her leadership, the University has undergone a major transformation. Building on the success of the past decade, NLU recently completed its 2030 strategic plan. The plan continues to take the University on a bold path of innovation on behalf of its students and is built around five pillars with a central focus on advancing a diverse and equitable community with a culture of inclusion.

 

In the last 10 years, the University has undergone a significant transition, becoming increasingly data-informed, and efficient in its delivery of programming and services. New programs in high demand fields have been developed that have fueled enrollment growth. The University has re-envisioned undergraduate education and is committed to leading the effort to close the bachelor’s degree attainment gap and serve all students affordably with quality programming. Blended and online modalities have been built to better serve adult students' needs for flexibility. The University completed the acquisition of Kendall College expanding its program offerings to include culinary and hospitality education and added new programs in the field of psychology and behavioral sciences over the last few years. It is now positioned to expand its impact with practitioner-focused programs.

 

Progress has been made in diversifying its faculty and staff. The University has also served as a catalyst for community transformation through its students and alumni focused on addressing some of the most pressing social issues such as violence prevention and prevention of human trafficking. The University set aggressive goals in improving student success, continuing enrollment growth, improving career readiness and employment outcomes, expanding its program portfolio, nurturing and retaining talent, and promoting positive community change and educational equity.

 

Today, NLU is viewed as one of the most innovative institutions in the country and has been dubbed as a model of the “new urban university” by the Gates Foundation. Committed to improving social mobility and economic opportunity, the University utilizes technology and innovation to continuously improve learning and outcomes for its students.

Special Instructions

Please Include the following along with your application: - Resume (Required) - Cover Letter (Required) NLU Employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form