Salary & Benefits:
Minimum starting salary of $95,000, commensurate with experience.
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.
Primary Duties
Serve as a member of the WGVU Public Media Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the organization.
Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that support WGVU’s mission, brand positioning, audience growth goals, and revenue development initiatives, including integrated campaigns that support programming promotion and fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Development Department.
Provide executive oversight, supervision, and mentorship to the Marketing and Communications Department, including professional development, performance management, and goal-setting for all direct reports.
Lead brand management and ensure consistent messaging and visual identity for WGVU Public Media across television, radio, digital, social media, print, and community engagement channels.
Oversee all external communications including media and press relations, community outreach, stakeholder messaging, crisis communications, and coordination with PBS, NPR, and other public media partners on national marketing initiatives and co-promotions; cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national media contacts.
Provide strategic direction and approval authority for WGVU’s digital communications strategy, including website, email marketing, social media, and audience engagement platforms.
Lead internal communications efforts that align staff around organizational priorities, messaging, and culture.
Create and present an annual communications strategy and bi-annual communications analysis to station leadership.
Develop, manage, and report on department budgets; analyze marketing performance and audience data to inform strategic decision-making and present outcomes to senior leadership.
Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in marketing, communications, or a related field.
Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and developing professional staff and teams.
Demonstrated experience managing integrated marketing campaigns across multiple media platforms.
Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate organizational goals into actionable marketing strategies.
Experience analyzing marketing metrics and audience data to guide strategy.
Experience with various computer software applications (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, etc).
Commitment to WGVU’s vision of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
Ability to work within a collaborative, multiplatform culture and environment.
Ability to demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and work self-sufficiently with little direction when required.
Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some nights, weekends, and holidays.
Valid driver’s license and ability to work on location as needed.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Experience in public media, nonprofit communications, or higher education communications.
Understanding of public media audiences, mission-driven communications, and public broadcasting environments.
Experience with digital marketing platforms, marketing automation tools, and audience analytics systems.
Experience managing media relations and public communications during organizational initiatives or transitions.
Experience managing cross-functional or multi-disciplinary teams.
How to Apply:
Attach your cover letter and resume. Applications submitted without a cover letter and resume will not be considered. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Terri Kenney at [email protected]. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.
Application Deadline:
Application review begins on August 3, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field
- Minimum of seven (7) years professional experience in marketing, communications, or related field
- Minimum of three (3) years demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and developing professional staff and teams
- Demonstrated experience managing integrated marketing campaigns across multiple media platforms
- Experience analyzing marketing metrics and audience data to guide strategy
- Experience with computer software applications (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams)
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
- Ability to work within a collaborative, multiplatform culture and environment
- Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some nights, weekends, and holidays
- Valid driver's license and ability to work on location as needed
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future
- Provide executive oversight, supervision, and mentorship to the Marketing and Communications Department (performance management and professional development)
- Lead brand management and ensure consistent messaging and visual identity across channels
What We Do
Grand Valley State University is a public university based in Allendale, Michigan, that offers over 350 undergraduate and graduate programs, combining rigorous academics with hands-on learning.
