(Hybrid) Assistant Director of Strategic Priorities - Strategic Communications and Marketing

The Strategic Priorities Department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a hybrid Assistant Director of Strategic Priorities.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategic Priorities within Strategic Communications and Marketing, the Assistant Director will lead the development and implementation of integrated marketing and communications strategies that elevate the University’s economic innovation portfolio—including workforce development, research and commercialization, national security, entrepreneurship, and other emerging institutional priorities such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and energy.

This position will oversee daily operations, project management, and creative direction for cross-platform campaigns while supervising marketing strategists and collaborating with partners across the University system. Through dynamic storytelling, data-driven campaigns, and stakeholder engagement, the Assistant Director will help highlight WVU as a national leader in innovation, research, and economic development. This role will collaborate closely with the Office of the Provost, WVU Research Office, Office of Innovation and Commercialization, WVU Innovation Corporation, Government Relations and Collaboration, Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research, Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab, the WVU Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, and regional campuses.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.

• Wellness programs

  
  What You'll Do

• Strategize, develop, and implement internal and external communications channels to disseminate signature stories, individual and group spotlights, announcements, and events to showcase how the University is driving innovation, growth, and resiliency to enhance the education and economic prosperity of West Virginia and beyond.
• Develop, lead, and execute comprehensive, data-driven marketing and communications strategies for internal and external audiences.
• Supervise and support marketing strategists within Strategic Priorities, and oversee decision-making in place of executive leadership, as needed.
• Oversee the development of all communications and marketing platforms and tactics for economic innovation activity, including but not limited to email newsletters, print, social media, and the website.
• Manage complex, cross-platform projects, ensuring brand consistency, deadlines, and measurable outcomes.
• Build partnerships across university units to share compelling stories of innovation and growth.
• Stay up to date on industry trends, conduct market research, assess results, and identify opportunities to enhance effectiveness.
• Attend and oversee key events, activities, and initiatives, and perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• • 
    Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field; Master’s preferred
• • A minimum of five (5) years of related experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven leader with extensive experience developing and executing integrated marketing and recruitment strategies across digital, print, social, and traditional media.
• Skill in guiding creative teams from concept through completion while fostering a positive, collaborative culture.
• Deep understanding of consumer behavior, brand management, and key communication drivers influencing diverse university audiences.
• Knowledge and experience in recruitment marketing, including strategy for segmented audiences.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, cross-platform projects that align with institutional goals.
• Knowledge in advertising, direct response, promotional materials, sponsorships, and signage.
• Exceptional written, visual, and verbal communication skills paired with strong interpersonal ability and knowledge of the mission, goals, and objectives of a national educational and research institution.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.