Associate Vice President for Operations and Strategic Communications, College of Medicine

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Job Title:

Associate Vice President for Operations and Strategic Communications, College of Medicine

Department:

Position Summary:  
The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Operations and Strategic Communications serves as a principal advisor to the Dean of the College of Medicine (COM) and maintains a dual‑reporting relationship to the Dean and the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO) of the Wexner Medical Center (WMC). This highly visible leadership role shapes the strategic direction of the College, serves on the Dean’s Executive Cabinet, and provides enterprise‑level leadership across operations, administration, and strategic communications.

Duties and Responsibilities 

I. Operations and Administrative Leadership – 60%

A. Strategic Leadership & Execution
     •    Advise the Dean on strategic matters; set priorities and execute major strategic initiatives aligned with college goals.
     •    Lead implementation and change management for complex, cross‑functional initiatives.
     •    Develop and implement systems to organize, communicate, and track key priorities and projects.
     •    Balance long‑term strategic initiatives with urgent, high‑stakes operational demands.
B. College Administration
     •    Lead the COM Administration senior staff leadership team.
     •    Serve as liaison between the Dean’s Office and department, center, and institute administrators.
     •    Provide oversight of senior leadership meetings, including agenda development, issue identification, and follow‑through on action items.
     •    Assess inquiries directed to the Dean’s Office and determine appropriate course of action and delegation.
     •    Supervise the Office of the Dean staff to ensure execution of strategic priorities.
C. Project, Space, and Data Management Oversight
     •    Supervise the leader of the Project Management team and Initiatives to proactively identify, assess, and prioritize opportunities to deploy project management support across COM administration.
     •    Supervise the leader of Space Planning and Management, partner on the development and execution of a strategic space and facilities plan.
     •    Supervise the leader of Data Management and Analytics; guide development of a comprehensive data and analytics strategy to support College decision‑making.
D. Financial Stewardship & Compliance
     •    Provide oversight for the Dean’s Office budget and advise COM leadership on financial investments.
     •    Review and approve expenditure requests for the Dean’s direct reports in accordance with university policy.
     •    Partner with HR, Faculty Affairs, and the Office of International Affairs to ensure immigration and employment compliance.
E. Talent, Culture, and Leadership Support
     •    Partner with COM leadership and HR to promote belonging, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.
     •    Partner with COM, HR, and OSUP stakeholders to support recruitment, onboarding, and development of college, department, and center administrators.
     •    Negotiate contracts for senior COM leadership roles, including deans and department chairs, ensuring compliance with all necessary documentation.
     •    Advise on academic leadership searches.
F. Enterprise & External Engagement
     •    Serve as a central administrative liaison to the WMC, Office of Health Sciences, and campus partners.
     •    Coordinate COM engagement with Advancement, Pelotonia, and external partners to support development and visibility goals.
     •    Represent Ohio State nationally to share best practices and enhance institutional reputation.

II. Strategic Communications & Marketing Leadership – 40%

A. Enterprise Communications Strategy & Executive Counsel

• Serve as the senior communications strategist and counselor to the Dean and College of Medicine executive leadership, shaping institutional narratives that advance research, education, clinical care, and the land‑grant mission.
• Provide strategic leadership and decision‑making authority for college‑wide communications priorities, ensuring alignment with OSUWMC and university‑level strategies.
• Partner with the CCMO to align enterprise messaging, manage reputational risk, and coordinate high‑impact initiatives.

B. Brand, Reputation, and National Engagement

• Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing and communications strategies that enhance the College of Medicine’s national reputation and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure consistent, compelling positioning of the college across internal and external audiences, supporting strategic growth, partnerships, and visibility.
• Advance institutional priorities through proactive storytelling that elevates research excellence, educational innovation, and clinical impact.

C. Integrated Channels, Content Governance, and Thought Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of college communications across paid, earned, shared, and owned (PESO) channels, ensuring coordinated planning, prioritization, and execution.
• Lead and develop the COM communications team, setting standards for excellence in writing, editing, storytelling, and executive communications support.
• Strategically position the Dean and senior leaders as national thought leaders through executive communications, media engagement, and high‑visibility platforms.

D. Executive & Enterprise Communications Integration

• Coordinate executive‑level communications across the Dean’s Office, Wexner Medical Center CEO Office, and CCC–James CEO Office to ensure message alignment and institutional coherence.
• Maintain strong partnerships with the OSUWMC Department of Communications and the University Office of Marketing and Communications to advance shared enterprise objectives.
• Represent the College and university nationally, sharing best practices and strengthening Ohio State’s reputation as a leader in academic medicine.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum 10 years of executive level experience required, preferably in a health care or academic environment
• Exceptional interpersonal and managerial skills
• Demonstrated ability to interact and influence at the most senior levels of the organization
• Ability to work collaboratively and strategically across functions, levels, departments desired
• Strong written and oral communication skills with proven ability to problem solve and effectively operate in a senior administrative role
   

Job Relationships
 

Supervisory Responsibility:  College of Medicine project management team, Office of Dean staff, and others as assigned.
Contacts: Frequently interacts through written and verbal communications with Senior Medical Center/University/college/department/division leaders, faculty, physicians, other clinical and non-clinical Medical Center personnel as well as CEOs/Executive leaders
Responsible to: Dean, College of Medicine                    

Physical/Visual/Mental Requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment:

The work may involve everyday risks or discomfort which requires normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices and meeting rooms (i.e. use of safe work practices, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signs) and additional safety education and/or health risk monitoring; may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, goggles, gloves, etc.

Note:   The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements of persons assigned to this job.  They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

Additional Information:

Location:

Twelfth Ave, 395 W (0356)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

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