Chief Communications Officer

Job Code: 9365MC

Recommended Salary Range for CLA: $170,000 - $200,000

Reports to: The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts

As the College of Liberal Arts' Chief Communications Officer (CCO), you'll lead a talented team
in crafting a comprehensive, integrated marketing communications strategy that amplifies the
college's awareness, understanding, engagement and impact across Minnesota, the nation and
around the world. You'll serve as a key advisor to the Dean and collegiate
leadership-developing innovative marketing communication strategies to highlight the
groundbreaking research, world-class faculty, and extraordinary students who make the CLA a
global leader in liberal arts education.

The CCO serves as the college's lead brand and identity architect, responsible for the
development and successful implementation of strategies that position the College of Liberal
Arts (CLA) to all internal and external stakeholders. Primary responsibilities include leading a
talented marketing communications team looking for a leader to unify operations, foster a
culture of trust, and reimagine how our internal and external communications can drive the
College's mission forward. This position calls for a leader who blends strategic insight with
strong analytic skills, partnering with collegiate offices and University Marketing
Communications to bridge silos, enhancing the flow of information and ensuring a consistent
narrative across all platforms. The CCO will act as a catalyst for change by assessing and
integrating collegiate marketing communications operations, aligning resources with strategy,
and cultivating a high-performing, unified team. The CCO will develop and execute an
integrated marketing communications strategy that aligns and supports the University's brand,
communications and enrollment marketing strategies and drives external engagement, student
recruitment, and engagement with donors, alumni, and external partners. Key focus areas
include developing and implementing a collegiate internal and leadership communications plan
that aligns with the CLA's long-term strategic goals, utilizing analytics to guide decision-making
to ensure that communication strategies serve the broader collegiate and University vision,
mission and strategic roadmap.

Key Strategic Responsibilities

1. College Identity & Brand Strategy Planning - Create and lead a bold, college-wide
   communications and marketing vision and strategy that elevates the College of Liberal
   Arts' (CLA's) brand, defines CLA's competitive advantage, strengthens its reputation, and
   drives meaningful engagement across audiences. The successful candidate will develop
   and execute an integrated communications strategy to introduce the college's new
   strategic plan to internal and external stakeholders. That strategy will include
   development of a CLA brand and marketing communications strategy. The strategy will
   champion the value of a University of Minnesota liberal arts education, and showcase
   the college's academic excellence, achievements and future direction. Key performance
   indicators include advancing enrollment growth, fundraising success, talent recruitment
   and retention, and engagement among stakeholders. Partner with collegiate offices and
   the Dean's cabinet to promote the CLA's academic programs, research, and major events to
   diverse audiences, including prospective students, alumni, benefactors and external
   stakeholders.
2. Strategic Enrollment Marketing Communications Planning - Partner with the Chief
   Student Success Officer (CSSO) and University Marketing Communications to translate
   recruitment and enrollment goals into tailored, high-impact marketing communication
   strategies. Leverage collegiate and University marketing communications
   capabilities,resources and methods to articulate the unique value proposition of CLA to
   prospective students and families.
3. Research & Impact Positioning - Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Research
   (ORGP) and the Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, Community Engagement and
   Equity (DICEE) and University Marketing Communications to elevate the college's profile
   as a premier research institution and an engaged community partner. Develop
   communication strategies to amplify faculty discovery, scholarly achievements, and
   artistic work to enhance national reputation and public engagement as outlined in the
   strategic plan.
4. Executive Leadership & Operational Alignment - Provide mentorship and high-level
   direction to the marketing communications team. Lead and facilitate a nimble workplan
   that aligns creative output and resource allocations to advance the actions and
   objectives within the University and College 5-year strategic plan. Ensure that external
   and internal communication strategies are aligned with the college's vision and strategic
   priorities.
5. External Relations, Crisis Communication, and Advising on Sensitive Matters - Serve as
   a trusted strategic advisor to the Dean and other collegiate leaders on sensitive
   communication matters, including handling crisis communications and issue
   management planning in collaboration with the Strategic Communications team within
   University Marketing Communications. Serve as the lead collegiate marketing, media
   and public relations manager, including coordinating with journalists and collegiate
   partners to respond to media inquiries. Manage and review internal and external
   communications for senior leadership.

Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to independently and collaboratively
  drive initiatives forward.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; must be able to build trust, manage
  up and across, and engage with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to assimilate
  complex information (especially academic and technical concepts) and translate it into
  clear, compelling public narratives.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple
  priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in digital marketing tools, web content management systems, graphic design
  software, and social media strategy.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including the
  dean's leadership team, University Marketing Communications, external and internal
  partner units, and CLA faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to quickly adjust to changing priorities and situations. Strong problem-solving
  abilities, resourcefulness and ingenuity.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information and perform a range of
  duties that require sensitivity, independent judgment, flexibility, and discretion. High
  degree of professionalism, integrity, and dependability.
• High degree of proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel),
  Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gemini), Zoom, and other
  productivity/collaboration tools.
• Ability to collaborate with and in some cases convene teams that include participants
  from other areas of the unit and organization to achieve common goals to successfully
  support the mission of the College of Liberal Arts.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Strategic Communication, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field plus
  a minimum of 12 years of progressive, professional experience and demonstrated
  success in strategic communications of increasing scope, with some experience at a
  public agency, mission-driven organization, or with a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing and
  communications strategies and managing branding within a complex organizational
  environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, editing, and proofreading skills, with the
  ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Excellent presentation and relationship-building skills, including a proven ability to work
  effectively with an intellectually, culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse
  workforce

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Strategic Communication, Marketing, Business, Journalism, or a
  related field.
• 12 years or more of progressively responsible experience in strategic marketing, brand
  management, and communications, preferably in higher education, corporate or
  mission-driven organizations with at least five years in a senior leadership role
  supervising full-time employees.
• Proven experience in executive communications, media relations, and crisis/issues
  management.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams through coordination of
  complex marketing and branding campaigns and the many stakeholders involved in the
  campaign's design and execution.
• Proven experience leading digital marketing strategies, including analytics, website
  governance, and social media platform management.
• Knowledge of higher education practices and the ability to acquire knowledge in a short
  period of time.
• Strong understanding of how communications and marketing integrate with fundraising
  and legislative affairs.

Pay Range: $170000 - $200000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Applications are confidential to the search committee and should include:

• A CV or resume
• A letter of interest addressing the key strategic responsibilities

Please note, we will request five references if selected to move forward in a single PDF
document. References will not be contacted without permission from candidates.

Inquiries regarding this opportunity may be directed to:

• Elisia Cohen, Chair, Search Committee; director of the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass
  Communication
• Jennie Robinson Kloos, Senior Director of Operations; College of Liberal Arts

For full consideration, applications should be received by March 26, 2026. The position will
remain open until filled. This role requires a consistent onsite presence, complemented by
executive flexibility for some remote work.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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