(Hybrid) Executive Director of Operations - Strategic Communications and Marketing

The Strategic Communications and Marketing unit at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Executive Director of Operations.

About the Opportunity

The Executive Director of Operations for Strategic Communications and Marketing at West Virginia University leads the operational, financial, and strategic planning functions that drive high-impact communications and marketing initiatives.

Reporting to the Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing, this role is an integral part of the division's senior leadership team. The charge for this position is to ensure that the division operates at maximum efficiency and aligns its core work with the University's goal of supporting our student mission through enrollment growth.

This role offers an opportunity to lead and shape the operational strategy for a dynamic division that plays a crucial role in advancing the university's mission and enhancing its engagement with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

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

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year, and the flexibility to use that time to care for immediate family members
• 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:

Operational Leadership

• Develop and oversee day-to-day operations of the division, establishing protocols and workflows to enhance productivity, innovation, and quality in all marketing and communication initiatives.
  
• Develop and oversee effective project management practices across the division to ensure timely and efficient completion of projects.
  
• Develop and oversee data-driven performance metrics to monitor, evaluate, and report on operational effectiveness and impact.
  
• Staying apprised of new technologies, including systems and platforms, to enhance efficiencies and workflow.

Financial and Budget Management

• Lead budget planning, forecasting, and management for the division to ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities and projects.
  
• Collaborate with unit leads to allocate funds effectively, managing both annual and project-specific budgets.
  
• Identify and recommend resource optimization strategies to increase the division's return on investment.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Partner with the Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing to develop and implement a comprehensive operational plan that supports the university's strategic marketing and communication goals.
  
• Drive the division's strategic planning process, leveraging research, trend analysis, and competitive insights to guide decision-making.
  
• Ensure alignment of all projects and initiatives with the broader mission of the university, particularly its land-grant commitment to serve local and global communities.
  

Team Development and Leadership

• Manage a team, providing mentorship, professional development, and performance management.
  
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture that aligns with the values and mission of the university.
  
• Champion a culture of support and professionalism within the division, ensuring a welcoming and respectful environment for all team members.
  

Stakeholder and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a primary liaison between the division and other departments, including Enrollment Management, Finance, IT, and academic units, to ensure cohesive and effective operational support for marketing initiatives.
  
• Managing vendor and freelancer contracts, and determining which projects are best serviced by in-house teams or outsourced, based on unit workload and project budgets.
  
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to align marketing and communication efforts with institutional priorities and brand guidelines.
  
• Establishing and overseeing workflow processes for partnerships between Strategic Communications and Marketing and other units within the WVU system.
  

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in operations management within marketing, communications, or a related industry, with at least five (5) years in a leadership role.
  
• 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

• Demonstrated experience in financial management, strategic planning, and project management.
• Proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams, ideally within a large and complex organization.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Knowledge of higher education and R1 university environments, including land-grant institutions.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
• Experience with marketing technology, CRM systems, and digital asset management.
• Exceptional organizational skills and great attention to detail.
• Experience making data-informed decisions.

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.
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

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 proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and received an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.