Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

ETSU•Johnson City, TN

About The Position

Guided by East Tennessee State University's mission and core values, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) serves as the institution's senior communications strategist and brand leader. As a member of the University's leadership team, the CMCO advances ETSU's strategic priorities by developing and leading an integrated marketing, communications, and brand strategy that aligns with the University's vision, mission, and goals. The CMCO is responsible for elevating the visibility and reputation of the University through compelling storytelling, strategic communications, and effective brand stewardship. In partnership with campus leadership, the CMCO supports efforts to attract and retain students, engage alumni and donors, recruit outstanding faculty and staff, and strengthen relationships with community, governmental, and policy leaders. The CMCO also provides leadership during opportunities and challenges affecting the institution's public profile, ensuring consistent and effective communication across audiences and channels. The CMCO oversees the Office of University Marketing and Communications, leading a team of marketing and communications professionals responsible for advancing the University's goals through integrated communications, media relations, digital strategy, content development, and brand management. Beyond the central communications function, the CMCO provides strategic leadership and coordination for marketing and communications activities across the institution, fostering collaboration, consistency, and alignment among academic and administrative units. In carrying out these responsibilities, the CMCO models and advances ETSU's core values, fostering a culture where people are treated with dignity and respect, relationships are grounded in trust and integrity, diverse perspectives are valued, excellence is achieved through collaboration and innovation, resources are stewarded responsibly, and a commitment to intellectual achievement remains central to the University's mission.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to develop and lead a strategic vision for the University’s marketing and communications efforts.
Experience developing and leading strategic, data-driven, comprehensive marketing and communications campaigns involving a wide range of stakeholders.
Exceptional management and coordination experience resulting in unified marketing and communications efforts and collaboration across campus units.
Exceptional research and analytical skills with experience in measuring the effectiveness of marketing and communications initiatives.
Demonstrated success in applying a broad range of communication tools, including marketing, public relations, copywriting, design, social media, advertising, web and digital development, SEO, storytelling, creative development, and audio/video production.
Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Experience leading integrated marketing and communications strategies and trends.
Understanding of higher education trends and audiences.
Knowledge of brand development and standards, and of co-branding best practices.
Knowledge of news reporting processes, ethical considerations, and best practices.
Knowledge of the college enrollment process, including recruitment, admissions, financial aid, registration/enrollment, and student success.
Demonstrated experience serving as the public spokesperson for a complex organization, representing institutional interests and communicating on sensitive and high-profile matters.
Supervisory experience, including mentoring and providing professional development opportunities to staff.
Knowledge of organizational planning, assessment, and budget oversight.
Ability to function independently with minimum supervision.
Knowledge of technology tools and systems, including Salesforce CRM, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Website Content Management systems, Project Management systems, data analysis and visualization software, and social media marketing and engagement platforms.
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, brand management, or a related field.
Minimum 4 years of management experience with direct supervision of team members.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in marketing, communications, public relations, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
Experience developing and monitoring budgets.
Experience advising on chief executive communications.
Experience in crisis communications.

Nice To Haves

Significant experience within higher education, the public sector, or similarly complex mission-driven organizations, with an understanding of shared governance, public accountability, and political context.
Experience working in a marketing, communications, or creative agency environment.
Experience managing relationships with multiple clients with diverse needs and subject matters.
Master’s degree or higher in marketing, communications, public relations, public administration, business administration, or related field.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead an integrated marketing, communications, and brand strategy that aligns with the University's vision, mission, and goals.
Elevate the visibility and reputation of the University through compelling storytelling, strategic communications, and effective brand stewardship.
Support efforts to attract and retain students, engage alumni and donors, recruit outstanding faculty and staff, and strengthen relationships with community, governmental, and policy leaders.
Provide leadership during opportunities and challenges affecting the institution's public profile, ensuring consistent and effective communication across audiences and channels.
Oversee the Office of University Marketing and Communications, leading a team of marketing and communications professionals.
Provide strategic leadership and coordination for marketing and communications activities across the institution, fostering collaboration, consistency, and alignment among academic and administrative units.
Model and advance ETSU's core values, fostering a culture of respect, trust, integrity, valuing diverse perspectives, collaboration, innovation, responsible stewardship, and commitment to intellectual achievement.