The State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook) seeks an accomplished, visionary, and strategic communications leader to serve as its next vice president for marketing and communications. This is a rare opportunity to shape the voice, reputation, and public narrative of one of America's leading public research universities during a period of extraordinary momentum and possibility. Reporting directly to the president, with a dotted-line relationship to the chief of staff, and serving as a member of the cabinet and university council, the vice president will help define how Stony Brook tells its story to the world and position the institution among the nation's most recognized and influential public universities.
As a flagship of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, ranked the top public university in the state of New York for the last four years, and a member of the Association of American Universities, Stony Brook is one of America's most dynamic public research universities. With over 27,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 100 countries, the University offers world-class education through 130+ graduate and professional programs and 60 undergraduate majors. Renowned for its research excellence, strength in innovation and entrepreneurship, and commitment to student success and affordability, Stony Brook consistently ranks among the top institutions in the nation. Situated on Long Island's North Shore and in close proximity to New York City, the University provides unparalleled access to cultural, professional, and research opportunities.
Andrea Goldsmith began her tenure as the seventh president of Stony Brook University in August 2025. Her scope includes the university, the medical enterprise, chairing the board of the New York Climate Exchange, and co-chairing the organization that manages the Brookhaven National Laboratory. As one of her first initiatives, President Goldsmithleda strategic visioning process that engagedand energizedthe entire Stony Brook community. Implementation of the bold, ambitious strategic plan will begin in Fall 2026, and a significant comprehensive campaign will follow shortly thereafter.
The vice president will join Stony Brook at a defining moment in the institution's trajectory. Building upon Stony Brook's national strengths in research, healthcare, innovation, access, and student success, the successful candidate will help translate institutional excellence into broader visibility, influence, and reputation. The vice president will play a leading role in advancing the university's emerging strategic vision, supporting a forthcoming comprehensive campaign, and elevating awareness of Stony Brook's impact among prospective students and families, faculty and researchers, alumni and donors, policymakers, media, industry leaders, and communities across New York and beyond.
Leading a team of approximately 35 professionals and partnering with communications and marketing colleagues across a large, complex, multi-stakeholder enterprise, the vice president will serve as the university's chief communications and marketing officer. The successful candidate will be an innovative and politically astute leader who excels in collaborative environments, builds strong relationships across academic, research, healthcare, and administrative units to advance shared institutional priorities, brings people together around a compelling institutional narrative, navigates complex issues and crises with sound judgment, and inspires a culture of excellence, creativity, and service.
Stony Brook seeks a leader who is equally comfortable serving as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, a steward of one of higher education's most promising brands, and a champion for the countless stories of discovery, innovation, healthcare, and student achievement unfolding across the university every day. A bachelor's degree is required.
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. Professional references are not requested at this time.
WittKieffer is assisting Stony Brook University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 19, 2026.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph. D., and Jenna Brumleve
StonyBrookVPMarCom@wittkieffer.com
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.
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