Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

About University at Albany:
Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages a diverse student body of more than 17,900 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City and the Adirondacks.

Job Description:
The University at Albany is seeking an experienced, innovative, data-driven, and collaborative professional to lead its strategic communications and marketing efforts to advance the University's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.

As a member of the President's Executive Council, the CCMO will work closely with University leadership on strategic marketing and communication priorities across all academic and administrative divisions. The CCMO will also oversee the operations of the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM), leading a team of 20+ professionals to:

• identify and prioritize messaging to internal and external audiences
• implement strategies to enhance the regional, national, and global engagement of alumni, donors, and other friends to the University
• support advocacy among local, state, and federal agencies and policymakers
• strengthen brand identity and recognition across all activities

Working closely with other senior leaders, including academic deans, the CCMO will develop and manage communications and marketing strategies that inform, inspire, persuade, and influence public opinion, academic reputation, enrollments, and philanthropic support. This position is a direct report to the President, with day-to-day engagement and communication with the President's Chief of Staff. 

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct all institutional communications and marketing efforts, including public relations, media relations, advertising, digital media, social media, creative services, web presence, visual identity, and internal communications
• Provide university-wide strategic direction and implementation of marketing and communication plans to expand the University's enrollment, research enterprise, and global visibility, reach, and impact
• Work collaboratively with schools, colleges, and administrative divisions to develop complementary marketing plans for colleges, schools, research centers, and other major units.
• Support the coordination of marketing and communications before, during, and after major events, initiatives, and campaigns
• Foster strong relations with external media and opinion leaders, working closely with the media relations team to cultivate effective relationships with national and local reporters and to secure earned media that elevates the profile of the University
• Provide strategic counsel to the senior leadership team on executive communications, supporting them to effectively represent the institution
• Lead public relations initiatives that will position the University to the media and the general public in a positive and progressive light, committed to both its constituents and partners in the community
• Manage crisis communications effectively in collaboration with the Office of the President and other institutional stakeholders
• Review standards and guidelines to actively manage the University brand and work collaboratively with college and administrative units to support the consistent representation of the institutional identity and brand
• Coordinate the delivery of annual reports and other key University publications
• Oversee the identity, development, and maintenance of the University's website, social media, and all other electronic and/or digital media platforms. Work collaboratively with the CIO and IT Services to maintain the technology infrastructure for institutional communications
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with Research, Undergraduate Admissions, the Graduate School, Alumni Relations, Athletics, Development, Government Relations, Public Engagement, and collegiate units to strengthen brand management, message alignment, achieve synergies, and maximize returns on institutional investments
• Develop and manage OCM's annual operating budget
• Chair the University's Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) Committee and lead campus-wide efforts related to the accessibility of digital content

Requirements:
Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization
• Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities
• 10+ years of progressively responsible management experience in communications, marketing, media relations, public relations, or a related field, including direct supervision of multiple staff and performance management
• Experience communicating with a variety of private, public, and institutional audiences
• Ability to articulate mission and vision through marketing and communications strategies
• Successful track record in crisis communications, preferably in a higher education setting
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Extensive experience with new forms of media delivery and digital-first strategies
• Effective budget management experience
• Commitment to quality, integrity, and transparency
• Exceptional communication skills, including oral and written presentation skills
• Strong decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication style with exceptional listening skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with public relations and media executives, policymakers, and other opinion leaders on behalf of a public education institution
• Knowledge of effective research-based communications
• Experience in contract negotiation with vendors and procurement

Additional Information:
Professional Rank and Salary Range: Management Confidential, MP2; salary commensurate with experience

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made.  If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER 

Please apply online via https://bit.ly/UAlbanyCCMOSearch