Communications and Engagement Manager, Public Safety

The Communications & Engagement Manager leads the development, execution, and continuous refinement of a comprehensive communications and community-engagement strategy for Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS). This role is essential to advancing VUPS's mission and supporting the Chief's four guiding imperatives:
Institutional Trust & Legitimacy;
Operational Excellence & Strategic Innovation;
Community Collaboration & Transparency; and Training, Wellness, Talent Development & Retention. Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications & Marketing for the Division of Operations and the Campus Network (OCN)
-with a close partnership to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety-the manager ensures that VUPS communicates with clarity, transparency, and accessibility. This position translates complex public safety operations into community-centered narratives; builds sustained engagement with students, faculty, staff, neighbors, and external partners; and strengthens trust in VUPS through proactive, human-centered storytelling. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator, relationship-builder, and creative problem-solver who can operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, collaborate across teams, and help elevate VUPS as a national model for modern, community-centered campus safety.

The Division of Operations and the Campus Network (OCN) supports the university's academic mission by delivering a broad range of essential operational services and initiatives that enable teaching, learning, research, and residential life. With a focus on excellence, accountability, and innovation, the division encompasses Auxiliary Services, Public Safety, Equal Access and Opportunity, Dialogue Vanderbilt, and Vanderbilt University-New York City. The division is committed to ensuring operational excellence, enhancing community well-being, and advancing strategic goals through collaborative partnerships and a people-first philosophy.

Vanderbilt University Public Safety is a full-service campus safety organization that includes police, security, and emergency management operations serving the Vanderbilt enterprise. The department is committed to innovation, excellence, community partnership, and continuous improvement.

• Communications Strategy & Execution
• Develop and implement an integrated VUPS communication strategy aligned with the Chief's four imperatives and the Division of Operations and the and the Campus Network (OCN) goals.
• Produce clear, accessible content across channels including MyVU stories, campus messages, briefings, social media, digital signage, video, and VUPS web pages.
• Create and manage plain-language transparency explainers (e.g., body-worn cameras, Field Stop Receipts, advisory board, emergency response expectations, "What happens when you call VUPS?").
• Establish a quarterly Public Safety Brief from the Chief and maintain a consistent, predictable communication cadence to the Vanderbilt community.
• Support crisis and incident communications in collaboration with the Operations and the Campus Network (OCN) Communications team and campus partners.
• Ensure alignment with institutional tone, accessibility standards, brand consistency, and regulatory requirements.
• Community & Student Engagement
• Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive community engagement program that strengthens relationships with students, faculty, staff, neighbors, and partners.
• Support the establishment and ongoing facilitation of the Police Advisory Board, ensuring meaningful two-way feedback and transparent follow-through.
• Coordinate engagement with student groups (VSG, GSC, Residential Colleges, international student groups, affinity organizations) and develop programming that meets community needs.
• Lead student-facing campaigns such as Vandy Safe awareness, safety education initiatives, and collaborative events (safety fairs, AMA sessions, Coffee with VUPS, campus tours).
• Develop and oversee a structured Liaison Officer Program that connects VUPS officers with specific student and faculty communities.
• Support campus wide emergency preparedness programming with consistent communications and education.
• Operational Excellence & Internal Partnerships
• Work in close partnership with VUPS leadership to understand ongoing modernization efforts (Security Operations Center, Threat Assessment & Mitigation Unit, EOP updates, training investments) and translate them into…