The University of Louisville seeks an experienced, visionary leader to serve as Vice President for Communications and Marketing. This is a pivotal role for a dynamic professional who will shape and elevate the University’s brand, strengthen its reputation, and lead strategic communications that reflect its mission. The Vice President will develop and execute a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to effectively tell the remarkable story of the University of Louisville – past, present, and into the future. This leader will champion collaboration across campus units, ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment while leveraging data-driven insights. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a highly collaborative leadership team united by optimism and a shared belief in UofL’s future. The successful candidate will bring creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to tell the story in compelling ways that resonate locally, nationally, and globally.
The University of Louisville is a nationally recognized research university and a proud member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Classified as a Carnegie R1 institution, UofL is committed to advancing knowledge and fostering an inclusive environment that serves the city, the Commonwealth, and beyond. With more than 24,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, UofL combines academic excellence with a deep commitment to community engagement.
Under the leadership of President Gerry Bradley, who became UofL’s 20th president in March 2025 after serving as Provost and Executive Vice President, the University has prioritized enrollment growth, student success, and strategic innovation. This is a transformative moment for UofL, and the Vice President for Communications and Marketing will play a critical role in shaping the narrative of this next chapter.
The Vice President for Communications and Marketing will lead efforts to elevate the University of Louisville’s brand and visibility, transforming perceptions beyond athletics to showcase its academic strengths and Carnegie-classified community engagement. This leader will drive innovative strategies for enrollment and digital marketing, leveraging multi-channel platforms to expand reach for undergraduate recruitment and online programs. A critical focus will be on strengthening internal and external communications to improve transparency, unify messaging, and proactively manage high-profile press issues. Additionally, the Vice President will address resource challenges by optimizing staffing and funding while standardizing brand identity across the institution.
Equally important, this role will oversee the completion and optimization of web development projects to enhance user experience and ensure brand consistency. The Vice President will also lead the development and implementation of robust emergency and crisis response plans, ensuring the University is prepared to navigate complex situations with clarity and confidence. Together, these priorities represent a transformative opportunity to position UofL as a leader in academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
The ideal candidate will be a proven leader in communications and marketing, preferably within higher education, with a strong vision for brand development and experience managing complex, multi-unit organizations. This individual will bring expertise in legislative, state, and federal communications needs, coupled with the ability to lead a proactive, strategic approach to marketing and communications. Success in this role requires a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and innovation, as well as the creativity and strategic thinking necessary to tell UofL’s story in compelling ways that resonate locally, nationally, and globally.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, collaborative leader to join a forward-thinking institution and make a lasting impact. The Vice President for Communications and Marketing will help define how UofL tells its story of a university that champions academic excellence, community engagement, and inclusive innovation.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in the leadership profile (https://apptrkr.com/6837200).
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Louisville in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 11, 2026.
Application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:
Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Melissa Fincher, and Jenna Brumleve
[email protected]
The University of Louisville is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, diversity of thought, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or employment qualifications or where marital or veteran status are statutorily defined eligibility criteria for Federal or State benefit programs. Further, the university seeks to promote campus diversity by enrolling and employing a larger number of minorities and women where these groups have historically been and continue to be under-represented within the university in relation to availability and may extend preference in initial employment to such individuals among substantially equally qualified candidates, as well as to veterans.
This affirmation is published in accordance with 41 CFR 60 and is in keeping with Title VII & Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Executive Order 11246; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988 and Kentucky Statutes. The university aims to achieve, within all areas of the university community, a diverse student body, faculty, and staff capable of providing for excellence in the education of its students and for the enrichment of the university community.
President’s Affirmative Action and EEO Policy Statement: https://louisville.edu/hr/employeerelations/EEOPolicyStatement082720.pdf
