The University of Virginia’s College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences seeks a Senior Associate Dean and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer to shape, steward, and elevate the College’s identity and public voice at a pivotal moment in its history.
Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia (UVA) is a flagship public institution with a distinctive mission rooted in academic excellence, public service, and the development of citizen‑leaders. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities, UVA combines the scale and impact of a major research institution with a strong residential, student‑centered educational experience. UVA serves the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world by advancing knowledge and preparing students to be citizen leaders who are guided by empathy, integrity, and truth.
The College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (A&S) is the historical and intellectual foundation of the University of Virginia. The largest of UVA’s 12 schools, A&S offers more than 50 undergraduate degrees and concentrations and 29 graduate degree programs. More than 75% of all undergraduate students enter the University through the College. A&S confers upwards of 2,500 undergraduate degrees each year, produces more than 50% of all Ph.D.'s at the University, appoints 60% of the tenure-track faculty, and houses the core disciplines upon which UVA’s academic reputation is built.
As the intellectual and cultural heart of the University, Arts & Sciences sits at the center of UVA’s ambition to become the nation’s leading public university and among the best anywhere in the world. This role offers a rare opportunity to refine and advance the narrative that articulates Arts & Sciences’ distinctive value—bringing clarity, coherence, and influence to the extraordinary teaching, research, and creative work that defines the College.
Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a member of the Dean’s Cabinet, the Senior Associate Dean and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer is the principal authority on organizational positioning, narrative strategy, and public voice. The role integrates strategic communications and marketing leadership with advancement partnership and executive‑level external engagement, ensuring alignment across academic priorities, communications, and fundraising efforts. Working closely with the A&S Senior Leadership Team, University Communications, University Advancement, and the College Foundation, this leader will shape a modern, integrated approach to communications and engagement that strengthens reputation, builds trust and alignment across a complex academic enterprise, engages and motivates a wide variety of stakeholders, and positions Arts & Sciences as a national leader in teaching, research, creative scholarship, and public impact.
This role offers a rare opportunity to lead at scale within a decentralized, mission‑driven academic environment, bringing judgment, credibility, and a service‑oriented leadership approach to faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and external partners. The Senior Associate Dean and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer will build and lead a high‑performing communications and marketing organization, advise senior leadership on institutional positioning and executive communications, and help translate the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences' ambitious academic agenda into narratives and engagement strategies that resonate with diverse audiences and advance Arts & Sciences’ long‑term strategic goals.
Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV/resume and a letter of interest. Please submit applications through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal here. Candidates can also find this portal via the WittKieffer website.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Virginia in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.
Please direct applications through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Ashlee Musser, Cathryn Davis, and Suzanne Teer
The University of Virginia (“UVA”) does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status (including active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and other applicable laws, statutes, and University policies. UVA prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.