"Chief Marketing Officer"

Job Details

Position Summary:

The university’s chief marketing officer (CMO) is responsible for the execution of communication and marketing plans for promoting the university and its mission. Reporting to the Vice President for Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness (VPSIE), the CMO is responsible for enhancing the university’s reputation through the development and implementation of a continuously evolving strategic marketing/branding campaign and communications plan to increase awareness and understanding of the university and its programs, both internally and externally.

The incumbent will be responsible for implementing Bryant’s new brand strategy that aims to resonate with target audiences, deliver content most effectively, and conduct regular assessments for continual improvement. The CMO will lead the day-to-day operations of the marketing and communications department, ensuring operational efficiency and providing mentorship to staff. The CMO will be a strong partner and highly respected colleague whose counsel is paramount when unexpected challenges arise.

This leader brings best practices and knowledge from other experiences and will be inquisitive and provocative. The CMO will focus on executing marketing and communications plans as part of University-wide and Divisional plans, in doing the latter they will work closely with Divisional heads and top staff. In their work the CMO will demonstrate flexibility, open-mindedness, and adaptability to a rapidly changing environment.

Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant’s strategic plan, Vision 2030, redefines higher education through a commitment to providing students with a transformational learning experience. [Vision 2030](https://vision2030.bryant.edu/) accelerates advancements in academic innovation, experiential learning, vibrant student life, Division I athletics, and a connected community that fosters belonging and success.

Principal Accountabilities:

• In collaboration with the VPSIE, execute an innovative and comprehensive university-wide marketing and branding plan, consistent with strategic goals, plans, and aspirations of the university.
• Work with Division leaders and staff on executing marketing and communications plans and refining their strategies. Key Divisions to engage with are Enrollment Management, University Advancement, and Academic Affairs.
• Oversee a team of staff responsible for producing creative video, photography, social media, print, and digital marketing/communications strategy and content to engage the campus community, current and prospective students, and their families, as well as other university stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship to staff to foster professional growth and development.
• Manage the university’s marketing/branding and communication budget and ensure the effective allocation of resources to meet the university’s overall goals.
• Work with campus partners to ensure that marketing campaigns and branding are consistent in all communication channels, including digital, print, video, social media, and internal communications.
• Execute a comprehensive, long-term, and proactive university-wide communications plan, consistent with strategic goals, plans, and aspirations of the university.
• Ensure consistency in the institution’s brand and messaging in order to improve the university’s position and thus enhance the potential for strengthening academic programs, building enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and raising fundraising, public/private collaborations, internal morale, and institutional reputation.
• Execute plans to achieve the university’s enrollment, fundraising and financial objectives and drive marketing execution across the institution consistent with Bryant’s Vision 2030 strategic plan.
• Identify targets, develop, and strengthen measurements of return-on-investment metrics to support increased awareness of university programs to drive enrollment as well as enhance university fundraising and reputation.
• Continually refine and improve marketing campaigns based on metrics and ongoing goals.
• Create long-range and annual marketing plans for the university that align with Bryant’s strategic priorities and enrollment objectives and develop short-and long-term strategic plans to meet market demands and deliver consistent enrollment and retention.
• Drive brand strategy, including development of category framework, value propositions and positioning.
• Create and manage communications plans about specific efforts or initiatives for the president or the Board of Trustees that may include web content, email, speeches, promotional materials, or news.
• Be responsible for the university website as well as branding on all social media channels.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

This position is best filled by an individual with a Master’s Degree and 7-10 years or more of professional communications, marketing, and branding experience, ideally including at least five years of senior leadership experience in higher education communications and brand marketing. Strong understanding of branding and brand strategy tactics are required. Exceptional interpersonal as well as oral and written communication skills are imperative to successfully interact with diverse colleagues in a dynamic campus environment. The position requires the ability to think strategically and broad functional experiences in the areas of brand marketing, market research, higher ed consumer insights, competitive analysis, marketing mix modeling, and advertising.

Working Environment:

At Bryant University, we believe that our strength lies in the richness of our campus community and the unique perspectives that shape it. By connecting academic and social experiences, we create an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. Our commitment to fostering belonging and well-being ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully. We encourage applications from those who appreciate the wide range of experiences and backgrounds that make our community exceptional. [Discover more](https://www.bryant.edu/)about how we cultivate a welcoming and collaborative campus culture that drives excellence.