Summary:Reporting to the President, the VPMC is responsible for developing, executing, and assessing strategic marketing, communications, and growth initiatives that build brand awareness, increase in enrollment and revenue, support fundraising and donor stewardship, and contribute to long-term financial sustainability. The VPMC will lead all aspects of marketing and communications, including digital and OOH advertising, brand messaging and stewardship, creative services, crisis communications, email marketing, public relations, recruitment search, search engine/answer engine optimization, social media and website design and content management. The VPMC shall represent these areas to the Board of Trustees and be a member of the President's Executive Council.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Strategic Leadership - Partner with Academics and other University departments to develop, prioritize, market and launch new and innovative academic and non-academic initiatives that drive revenue growth and diversification
- Partner with appropriate stakeholders to develop an institutional value proposition that supports the acquisition and onboarding of new students and external partners to grow and diversify revenue
- Lead the development, implementation and measurement of a strategic marketing communications plan that supports institutional goals
- Align and manage budget to support key performance indicator goals and ensure efficient use of resources
Recruitment Marketing and Revenue Generation- Partner with the VP for Enrollment and external partners on enrollment search strategies designed to grow the inquiry and application funnel for undergraduate and graduate programs; support application conversion and yield efforts through email marketing and other engagement strategies
- Negotiate partner contracts, and set, monitor and evaluate initiatives against clearly defined key performance indicators
- Develop strategic email marketing and advertising campaigns to grow the enrollment funnel; customize content based on audience and other characteristics. Advertising will include a mix of digital, outdoor, print, radio, direct mail, streaming and other tactics designed to grow specific market segments.
- Provide strategic direction and support for University events, including recruitment, donor stewardship, and other on-campus events designed to drive enrollment, fundraising and revenue diversification
Brand Management and Stewardship- Serve as the primary steward of the GMercyU brand and brand messaging strategy
- Ensure the marketing plan reflects the distinctiveness of the University, and honors and highlights its mission
- Serve as a primary resource for messaging that impacts students, faculty, staff, donors, and other university stakeholders; prepare Office of the President and other University-wide communications, as needed
- Oversee in-house Creative Services functions, including the design and production of University-branded materials
- Develop and maintain a robust Crisis Communications strategy and serve as the primary crisis communications messaging steward
- Partner with University Advancement on the design, content creation and production of the University's alumni magazine, and other fundraising and donor stewardship materials
- Develop a compelling brand message and onboarding process to support potential partnerships that grow and diversify University revenue
Digital Content Management- Manage the design, content development and maintenance of a mobile-friendly University website; optimize the website site for lead capture and conversion
- Develop a robust search engine/answer engine optimization strategy to drive inquiries and applications
- Manage the University's digital content strategy, including the creation and delivery of customized content based on audience, funnel stage, and engagement behavior
- Oversee the University's official social media presence, including the development of an editorial calendar to boost engagement levels and support the goals of specific departments, such as Admissions, University Advancement, and Student Life
Public Relations- Develop a comprehensive approach to Public Relations, including the development of thought leadership and other media pitches that result in a steady flow of positive media attention; manage agency support and strategically use University website and social media to extend media reach and impact
- Respond quickly to media inquiries and prepare talking points and detailed responses to reporters' questions within specified deadlines
- Prepare standby statements and Q&A documents, as needed, to address issues that have the potential to have a significant impact (positive or negative) on University brand
QUALIFICATIONS: - Minimum 15 years of progressive success as a collaborative and innovative Marketing Communications leader required; five or more years of experience in higher education preferred
- Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and the ability to develop and implement new initiatives that support growth and revenue diversification
- Demonstrated success in the development and implementation of advertising, branding, promotion, and integrated marketing strategies including the use of social media and information technology to improve the recruitment and enrollment of traditional undergraduate, graduate and adult students
- Ability to fully understand enrollment models and apply best practice marketing strategies and solutions to assist the University in meeting institutional recruitment goals
- Ability to synthesize data and use information from multiple areas to develop, launch and assess initiatives
- Ability to hire, motivate, and develop high-achieving team members and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community to achieve stated goals
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust with constituents
- Excellent listening, collaboration, communication, and presentation skills
- Computer literate with skill in using Customer Relationship Management systems, and data reporting and analysis tools; proficient in MS Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or related field; master's degree preferred
- Leadership at Senior/Executive level required
In order to be considered for this position, please upload your resume and a cover letter explaining how your qualifications and experience align with our organizational needs. The deadline for all applications is October 22,, 2026.
