Pay Grade/Pay Range: Not Graded
Department/Organization: 301201 - Strategic Communications
Normal Work Schedule: Varies
Note to Applicants: The University has engaged WittKieffer to assist with the national search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting Jenna Brumleve at UA-AVPRS@wittkieffer.com.
The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled.
Job Summary: The Assistant/Associate Vice President for Reputation Strategy is responsible for protecting, strengthening, and advancing the institution’s image and reputation. Provides strategic oversight of issues management, crisis communications, and reputational risk. Collaborates with leaders across the Division of Strategic Communications to shape narratives that support institutional priorities, values, and long-term strategy. Partners closely with the VP for Strategic Communications, senior leaders within Strategic Communications and executive leadership to anticipate challenges, guide decision-making, and ensure coordinated, timely, and effective communications in high-stakes environments.
Additional Department Summary: Reports to the Vice President for Strategic Communications with regular interaction with the president, legal, government relations, system leadership and key members of the executive team. The position will supervise the public relations strategist dedicated to issues management, the communications specialist dedicated to open records and will also work closely with other members of the strategic leadership team within Strategic Communications.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or related field and fifteen (15) years of progressive senior-level experience in strategic communications, reputation management, crisis communications, or issues management within a complex organization; OR master's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or related field and thirteen (13) years of progressive senior-level experience in strategic communications, reputation management, crisis communications, or issues management within a complex organization.
Skills and Knowledge: Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership in high-pressure, high-visibility, high-impact situations. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage sensitive, Confidential matters with sound judgment and discretion. Previous management or supervisory experience. Exceptional strategic thinking, writing, and verbal communication skills.
Core Competencies:
• Strategic judgment and decision-making
• Crisis leadership and calm under pressure
• Executive presence and credibility
• Political and organizational acumen
• Collaboration and influence across complex organizations
Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree in communications, public administration, higher education leadership, or a related field. Experience in higher education, healthcare, government, or another highly regulated, mission-driven environment. Deep familiarity with media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement in crisis contexts.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
