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Vice President

The vice president for Marketing and University Relations is responsible for internal monitoring and external communication of the Southern brand, leading comprehensive efforts to increase understanding, support, and conveyance of the university mission and goals with all university publics.

Ingrid Skantz
ilskantz@southern.edu

423.236.2833

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Work with members of the administrative team to implement and evaluate a campus-wide strategy of communication that supports and contributes to the university mission
  • Oversee the university brand through monitoring and researching audience perceptions and using research to form key messages that intentionally convey Southern’s mission in all communications to all audiences
  • Oversee adaptations, preservation, and implementation of the official university visual identity and university writing style
  • Anticipate and lead the public relations aspects of unusual or crisis situations and ensure implementation of the campus’ crisis communication plan when the need arises
  • Provide strategic direction for the university’s advertising strategy
  • Lead a proactive media approach, pursuing coverage for the university in print, broadcast, and social media channels in both secular and church arenas
  • Supervise the budget for and director of Marketing and University Relations that includes responsibilities for media relations, crisis communications, customer service, public relations, special event marketing, and print, email, web, and social media communications, with particular focus on recruitment and advancement initiatives
  • Supervise the budget for and director of Strategic Planning that includes responsibilities for communicating and executing Southern’s key strategic initiatives, providing operational assistance for the president’s initiatives, organizing and maximizing the utilization of designated consultants, and managing guest services and lodging
  • Provide service- and marketing-oriented leadership in the area of university relations to ensure that policies and services are customer-centered and user-friendly
  • Implement best/next practices in communications and seek improvements as appropriate
  • Lead, participate in, and contribute to administrative committees as assigned
  • Perform all other special projects and functions as assigned by President
  • Provide gracious hospitality in accordance with Southern’s service standards during interactions with external and internal clients