The University of Toledo (UToledo) seeks a bold, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Vice President for Marketing and Communications (VPMC). This visionary executive will shape and implement comprehensive enterprise-wide marketing and communications strategies that reflect the University’s purpose and respect its promise to the region. The University’s marketing and communications must amplify its impact and position UToledo as a leader in higher education, research, patient care, health sciences, and athletics, seeking society-wide impact while remaining ever grounded in the fields of northwest Ohio. This search comes at a pivotal moment in the institution’s evolution, following the arrival of the University’s new president, Dr. James Holloway, who began his tenure in July 2025.
President Holloway is eager to identify a VPMC who will lead a recently more deeply integrated marketing and communications organization composed of a multidisciplinary team of 32 professionals. University Marketing and Communications (UMC) partners across the academic colleges, athletics, and the healthcare system to develop, launch, and execute synergistic efforts across the enterprise. Marketing and communications specialists support colleges, university units, and UToledo Health-specific objectives while advancing institutional goals such as elevating reputation, enhancing enrollment, growing patient volumes, supporting philanthropic giving, and advancing the University’s academic, research, and community impact. In July 2024, UToledo launched a new institutional brand, The Power To Do, establishing a unified identity across its higher education and healthcare entities and setting the stage for renewed momentum. This brand foundation is critical for the University to renew its presence and visibility across the region and the nation. The University of Toledo is different and is ready to be presented in new ways and stand out in crowded higher education and healthcare markets.
UToledo was founded in 1872 and became a member of the state university system of Ohio in 1967. It merged with the Medical University of Ohio (formerly Medical College of Ohio) in 2006. UToledo is one of 14 state universities in Ohio, offering full and part-time courses as well as day, evening, and online programs at the associate, bachelor, graduate, and doctoral levels. UToledo is a metropolitan, R1 research university and academic health center that is focused on the professional success of students after they graduate. Under the leadership of President Holloway, UToledo has announced a new focus on experience-based professional learning (Advantage Toledo), interdisciplinary research and innovation focused on the opportunities and challenges of the northwest Ohio region (Innovate Toledo), and the health and well-being of our community (Healthy Toledo). We are focused on growing enrollment, increasing research impact, and delivering on our promise to advance our region while serving as a center of learning that is recognized nationally and globally. This R1 research university’s main and health sciences campuses are set within a beautiful urban environment, and our arts campus is co-located with the world-famous Toledo Museum of Art. UToledo has eight distinct academic colleges offering more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online degree programs. UToledo plays NCAA sports in the FBS division and is recognized as one of the strongest athletic programs in the Mid-America Conference (MAC).
Toledo has a vibrant restaurant scene and arts community, coupled with the country’s best metro park system, one of the nation’s most respected zoos, and a vibrant live theater scene. Living in Toledo also offers candidates access to several other major metropolitan cities with the ease and conveniences of Midwest living.
With the full partnership and support of the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees, the next VPMC will be empowered to think boldly, embrace creative risk, and pursue innovative approaches. The University seeks a marketing and communications leader capable of unifying complex narratives into a clear and compelling institutional identity, delivering strategies with measurable outcomes, and differentiating UToledo in an increasingly competitive higher education and healthcare landscape. The VPMC will work collaboratively with UToledo leadership to embrace a refreshed and bold vision that will capture the attention of its surrounding local and regional marketplace.
The ideal candidate will build on the strengths and talents of the current team, while elevating the University’s visibility through advanced capabilities in market positioning, demand generation, analytics, and performance measurement. This role requires a leader who can connect marketing outcomes directly to business results – enrollment growth, clinical volume, philanthropic engagement, reputation enhancement, revenue growth, and long-term institutional sustainability. The VPMC will bring a sophisticated understanding of audience-centric marketing, grounded in rigorous primary and secondary market research, segmentation, and insight development. They will lead the evolution of a growth-oriented marketing strategy that leverages data, research, and modern marketing practices to expand reach and improve conversion.
This is a distinctive opportunity to lead an integrated brand, marketing, communications, and digital organization within an R1 public research university deeply committed to student success, career outcomes, community health, and discovery. An anchor institution in Toledo and northwest Ohio, UToledo is a place‑based university with a powerful story to tell, a story rooted in equity, opportunity, and impact. President Holloway seeks a dynamic senior leader with a strong sense of public mission and an ambition to help UToledo reach its next level of success.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Toledo in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 20, 2026.
Application materials, nominations, and inquiries should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal at https://apptrkr.com/6922658.
Nominations and inquiries can also be directed to:
Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Melissa Fincher, and Jenna Brumleve
[email protected]
The University of Toledo does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex/gender, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, the presence of a disability, genetic information, familial status, political affiliation, or participation in protected activities in its provision of employment and educational opportunities.
The University of Toledo provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete an application or for testing or interviewing, please apply online for an accommodation request at https://www.utoledo.edu/offices/accessibility-disability/.
