Chief Marketing And Communications Officer

Category:
Executive


Department:
Integrated Marketing


Locations:
Worcester, MA


Posted:
May 10, 2024


Closes:
Open Until Filled

Type:
Exempt


Position ID:
175582

About Assumption University: Assumption University (AU) is a comprehensive, private Catholic liberal arts institution, sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption. We awaken in students a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, forming graduates known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and devotion to the common good. Our curricular and co-curricular programs provide students with an education that shapes their souls, forms them intellectually, and prepares them for meaningful careers. We are a diverse community that welcomes different points of view and embraces all who share our mission. Enlivened by the Catholic affirmation of the harmony of faith and reason and by the pursuit of the truth in the company of friends, an Assumption education transforms the minds and hearts of students.
Situated in the heart of New England in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption University is a vibrant community home to 2,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students. With an average class size of eighteen, students study under the close mentorship of faculty and staff who are experts in their fields, with over ninety academic programs offered across five colleges. Assumption's twenty-six sports teams compete in the Northeast-10 Conference, with our academic and athletic success resulting in the NCAA Division II President's Award for Academic Excellence. Marked by gritty determination, relentless curiosity, and a lack of entitlement, Assumption graduates are in demand exactly because our understanding of Catholic liberal education knits enduring ideas and professional preparation into a single fabric.
Nondiscrimination Statement
St. John Paul II wrote: "Man's creation by God 'in his own image' confers upon every human person an eminent dignity; it also postulates the fundamental equality of all human beings." Assumption University recognizes the essential contribution of a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, Assumption University commits itself to maintaining a welcoming environment for all people and to comply with all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and its educational programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or family medical history, military or veteran status, immigration status, or other legally protected status. We intend this list to be inclusive, not exclusive.

Job Description: Reports to
President Greg Weiner, Ph.D.


Opportunity Proposition
As a member of the President's Cabinet, you will join Assumption University at a particularly exciting inflection point. Under the leadership of Dr. Greg Weiner, the first Jewish president of a U.S. Catholic University, Assumption just launched AU Thrive, its first ever 10-year strategic plan.


With support of the Board, President, and Cabinet, the CMCO will be charged with providing innovative and purposeful leadership in stewarding Branding, Marketing and Communications initiatives that align with the University's current and future mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.


Ambitious in scope and comprehensive in its thoughtful approach, AU Thrive provides a go forward "north star" for Marketing to elevate the reputation of the institution, amplify its brand, increase awareness, engage the campus community, and partner with key leadership to drive enrollment and support advancement.


Principal Responsibility
Reporting directly to the President, the CMCO will serve on the Cabinet, interface with the Board, and manage a team of marketing professionals. The CMCO will be responsible for the University's brand ensuring a coherent and impactful message across all platforms and stakeholders. The CMCO will direct the centralized Integrated Marketing team (currently seven FTEs) across its distinct functions of brand and content, public relations, enrollment marketing, and program marketing and be responsible for building relationships with other teams and divisions, particularly enrollment and advancement, to deploy cross-functional resources towards shared goals.


Specific Duties
Immerse yourself into the position by developing strong relationships, building trust, and collaborating with University leadership, faculty, staff, and students to gain an appreciation for and understanding of key objectives, as well as the history, culture, and future aspirations of Assumption. Develop an understanding of the marketing and communications requirements of all key stakeholders (University, departments, and schools) to successfully drive the development of strategic plans that enhance AU's brand and achieve both long and short-term objectives centered on reputation, enrollment, and advancement. Ensure and facilitate ongoing brand and audience research. Oversee the management of the University's brand across all platforms, ensuring brand consistency. Steward the AU brand to a place of clarity and prominence using strategic marketing and communications to achieve awareness, attribution, engagement, preference, and conversion. Develop and execute innovative campaigns to attract and engage students, faculty, and donors. Utilize data-driven strategies to assess campaign effectiveness and adjust strategies as needed. Evaluate and advance existing digital and web initiatives while developing a digital engagement platform that utilizes content, stories, and solutions that pave the way for audiences to experience all that AU has to offer. This evaluation includes digital marketing strategies that drive lead acquisition marketing efforts across the enrollment funnel as well as driving a social media presence that engages target audiences and key stakeholders. Partner with Enrollment to support the development of acquisition programs to influence top-of-funnel awareness, lead generation, application growth, and a strong messaging and targeted marketing campaign for post inquiry prospective students. Work collaboratively and creatively with faculty to promote and amplify their work. Regularly convene, oversee, and foster a highly collaborative Marketing Council comprised of a cross-functional cohort of senior leaders from across AU. In partnership with Advancement, develop programs that help drive engagement and support increased philanthropy. Oversee development and execution of communications strategies and plans, including media relations, crisis communications, executive communications, and internal communications. Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including University leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners, to ensure communications strategies and programs are aligned and effective. Provide leadership, coaching, and active management for the marketing and communications team to increase accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the group. Evaluate the structure and capabilities of the team. Develop a structure and process that allows the team to optimize their partnerships with all University stakeholders. Act as a strategic advisor to leadership, the Board, and the entire community to establish and achieve marketing objectives for the institution. Requirements: Professional and Personal Profile
Proven track record of success as a marketing and communications leader in progressively responsible positions. Previous experience in higher education is preferred but not a requirement; thriving in a complex, matrixed environment with multiple internal and external audiences is a must. Understand, appreciate, and embrace the mission of Assumption University. Successfully developed and implemented strategic marketing and communications plans. Comprehensive expertise in contemporary marketing trends, encompassing digital marketing, social media, content marketing, SEO, paid media, branding, and market research methodologies. Adept in audience segmentation, persona development and journey mapping methodologies with a goal of crafting user experiences that resonate with unique audience segments. Proven success in aligning marketing strategies with communications to advance enterprise goals and objectives. Strength in brand-development, storytelling, and adapting messaging to address various constituents across a variety of media modalities. Communications experience ideally encompasses media relations, crisis communications, internal/executive communications and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. An understanding of shared governance and collaborative decision-making is essential as it relates to consensus building around programs and messaging. Familiarity and comfort in a highly collaborative work environment, willing to contribute by building internal partnerships and establishing trust with faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Proven expertise as both a strategic thinker and a project manager with a keen ability to synchronize the two. Demonstrated ability to direct outside business partners and service providers. Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team. Team player: ability to work collaboratively with others; good listener. Someone who has high energy/drive, a relentlessly positive attitude, and is results oriented. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate clear and compelling narratives. Sense of humor. Bachelor's degree. Advanced degree preferred. Additional Information: Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting, standing, walking, and bending are required for this position. Use of a computer keyboard and computer screen for periods of time with close vision and the ability to adjust visual focus plus manual dexterity are required. Some lifting is required.


Mental Demands
The mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Examples of mental demands include reading (documents), detailed work, confidentiality, language, math, reasoning, oral communications, written communications, customer contact, multiple concurrent tasks, constant interruptions, and performing calculations when necessary.


Location
Worcester, MA | On-campus presence is required with some opportunity for remote days/hybrid work.

Application Instructions: Assumption University has retained the Executive Search Firm, The Ward Group, to lead the search efforts. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: and reference "Assumption" in the subject line.