Description

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) seeks an inspiring future-focused communications leader – one who brings strategic vision, modern storytelling instincts and a collaborative leadership style – to serve as its next Vice Chancellor for Communications, Marketing and Social Media.

The University of Colorado Boulder is Colorado's leading public research university, transforming lives since 1876. As the state's flagship university and one of only 38 U.S. public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), CU Boulder has proudly served Coloradans since the state's founding. Home to five Nobel Laureates since 1989 and the only university to send space instruments to every planet in the solar system, CU Boulder provides a strong return on investment by aligning efforts to achieve research and creative excellence, global sustainability impact and the success of all students, faculty and staff.

Serving as the Vice Chancellor for Communications, Marketing and Social Media (VC-CMSM) at CU Boulder presents an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary communications leader to shape the voice and reputation of a flagship institution at a transformational moment. As a top-ranked AAU and Big 12 university located in one of the most stunning, sustainability-focused communities in the country, CU Boulder sits at the nexus of academic excellence, environmental leadership and cultural vibrancy. The University's distinctive Boulder identity – curiosity-driven, daring, entrepreneurial – now intersects with an extraordinary constellation of emerging opportunities: Sundance's decision to establish its next home in Boulder, CU Boulder's 150th anniversary celebration, the University's selection as the host campus for the new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, and the expanding national platform and visibility provided by CU Boulder's athletics programs, among others. Coupled with bold ambitions from a new executive leadership team, rapidly expanding research impact and a deep commitment to student flourishing, the next Vice Chancellor will inherit a uniquely energizing foundation from which to elevate CU Boulder's story locally, nationally and globally.

Reporting to the Chancellor, the new VC-CMSM will serve as the strategic architect of a modern communications enterprise, bringing clarity, coherence and ambition to the University's voice while advancing the teaching and research missions of an AAU institution. At the highest level, this leader will define and implement a unified, holistic marketing and communications strategy that reflects CU Boulder's priorities, strengthens its reputation and brand stewardship and amplifies its most compelling stories. They will evolve the central communications organization into a forward-looking, integrated team equipped with the tools, structure and culture needed to deliver consistent, culturally competent, audience-centered communications. This includes elevating digital impact and social capabilities, elevating internal communication as a strategic function and fostering collaborative alignment with partners across campus to ensure CU Boulder speaks with a coordinated, inclusive, inspiring and bold voice.

To succeed, the next VC-CMSM will bring both the professional acumen and personal leadership qualities needed to operate in a decentralized, high-visibility, rapidly changing environment. Professionally, they will be an accomplished, integrated communications leader with significant experience in complex organizations – preferably within a research-intensive university; expertise in brand, digital and social strategy; proven success advising senior executives; and strong skills in organizational development, coaching and team transformation. They must be technologically fluent, data-informed, and forward-looking, and able to modernize tools and systems while championing accessible, inclusive, culturally competent communications. Personally, the ideal leader will be a strategic integrator, a builder and coach, a calm and steady change navigator and a trust-first partner who engages authentically with campus stakeholders. Above all, they will be modern storytellers, capable of capturing CU Boulder's distinctive spirit, elevating its achievements and uniting the campus around a compelling, future-looking narrative.

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 at www.wittkieffer.com. For full consideration, all materials should be received by Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Please direct inquiries and nominations to the WittKieffer consultants assisting the University of Colorado Boulder with this recruitment:

Commitment to Job Application Fairness: Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

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