Assistant Vice President of Issues Management and Crisis Communications - Stony Brook University : Job Details

Job Description - Assistant Vice President of Issues Management and Crisis Communications (2502663)

Assistant Vice President of Issues Management and Crisis Communications

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Seven (7) years of full time progressively responsible experience in issues management and crisis communications or a related leadership role, preferably in a large and complex organization. Experience advising executive leadership in high-stakes environments.Preferred Qualifications:Advanced degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Ten (10) years of full time progressively responsible experience in crisis management or a related leadership role, preferably in a large and complex organization. Experience managing crises in a university or academic setting, with familiarity in the unique challenges of a campus environment. Experience navigating complex governance structures, including working with multiple agencies, faculty governance, and/or unions. Experience with public affairs and media relations strategies in the context of reputational crisis mitigation.Brief Description of Duties:Stony Brook University seeks a seasoned, strategic, and highly skilled Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Crisis Communications and Issues Management to lead the institution's communications strategy during crisis and when facing reputational threats. This senior leadership role is critical to safeguarding the University's reputation, preserving stakeholder confidence, and guiding internal and external messaging with clarity, authority, and sensitivity.The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in crisis communication, exceptional judgment and discretion, and demonstrated leadership under pressure. The AVP will serve as a trusted advisor to the VP of Marketing and Communications (MARCOM) and University leadership and will direct strategic communications efforts during complex and rapidly evolving situations. A nuanced understanding of the complex and evolving landscape of higher education, particularly the issues, regulations, and policies emerging from the changes in federal policies is essential to inform communication strategy and message development.The AVP of Crisis Communications and Issues Management reports to the VP of MARCOM, serves as senior member of the MARCOM management team and is expected to contribute to the advancement of the team's mission, vision and values grounded in a well established trusted advisor mantra and ecosystem mindset. In-person presence during critical incidents, including evenings and weekends is required to support effective crisis response efforts.

• Strategic Crisis Communications Leadership:Develop, lead, and continuously refine comprehensive crisis communications and issues management plans, ensuring preparedness across the institution. Tailor strategies and messaging should reflect the university's values, mission, and stakeholder expectations.
• Crisis Communications and Issues Management Coordination:Serve as a key member of senior leadership teams in times of crisis and when faced with issues that pose a threat to the reputation of the university. Collaborate closely with leaders from Enterprise Risk Management, Student Affairs, Chief Counsel/Legal, Office of the Provost, and Advancement as well as the Chief of Staff and Office of the President to coordinate communications and ensure alignment of messaging and decision-making.
• Strategic Message Development:Lead the development of timely and accurate communications and messaging strategy, including media holding statements, internal communications, talking points, Q&As, and public statements. Ensure content is tailored appropriately for various audiences, including students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and media. Develop policies related to messaging and communications.
• Media RelationsManage media inquiries, brief senior leaders, and oversee the deployment of proactive and reactive media strategies in close partnership with fellow MARCOM colleagues from the external communications team and the digital and social media strategy team. Support the MARCOM team's maintenance of established and trusted relationships with key media contacts and SUNY counterparts to ensure effective execution of media strategies.
• Issues Management:Proactive issues management is a critical responsibility of the AVP in order to help the institution anticipate, respond to, and manage potential reputational threats or controversies that could affect stakeholder trust. This requires ongoing monitoring of the higher education landscape to identify emerging issues that could impact the university, its leadership and operations as well as issues unique to the university. Develop policies related to Issues Management and communications. This responsibility is essential for serving as a trusted advisor capable of providing quick and reliable issues management counsel.
• Trusted Advisor Role to Leadership and Campus Peers:Serve as a senior advisor to university leadership on issues that pose reputational risk and require communications strategy and message development. Partner and collaborate closely with fellow MARCOM colleagues and communications peers across the campus seeking counsel, knowledge and guidance on emerging issues.
• Cross-Institutional Partnerships:Build and maintain relationships and collaborate as needed with university leaders and communications staff across the campus, SUNY, and external consulting partners to ensure consistency and coordination across broader university communications and initiatives.
• Media Training and Preparedness:Prepare and coach University leaders and subject matter experts for media engagement and public speaking during crisis situations or when managing an issue that poses a reputational threat to the university.

Key Attributes:

• Self-Starter: Capable of operating with autonomy, initiating action, and navigating institutional complexity.
• Strategic Thinker: Able to anticipate risks and develop long-range plans.
• Strong Communicator: Skilled in delivering clear, persuasive guidance to diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative Leader: Comfortable working across disciplines, units, and cultures.
• Calm Under Pressure: Exhibits poise and clarity in high-stress, rapidly evolving situations.

Special Notes:This is a Management Confidential position. This is a full time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, sexual misconduct or research misconduct, among other infractions. In support of this commitment, certain candidates for employment will be required to disclose such employment-related misconduct findings and pending investigations or proceedings, and final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions will authorize their current and previous employer(s) from the last seven (7) years to disclose such information to the University. A final offer may be contingent on the satisfactory outcome of this disclosure and review process. If the University becomes aware of a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of any such matter after your employment commences, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) ###-#### or visit OEA .In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here .Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.#LI-ES1

Job Number:2502663

Official Job Title : Senior Assistant to the Vice President

Job Field: Administrative & Professional (non-Clinical)

Department/Hiring Area : Marketing & Communications

Schedule: Full-timeShift: Day Shift Shift Hours : 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.