Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Job Requisition:JR101837 Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (Open)Job Posting Title:Chief Marketing & Communications OfficerDepartment:CC00160 WM001 | SOB | Marketing CommunicationsJob Family:Staff - CommunicationsWorker Sub-Type:Regular (benefited)Job Requisition Primary Location:William & MaryPrimary Job Posting Location:Posting Location - William & MaryJob Description Summary:The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary seeks a visionary and results-oriented Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMO) to lead the global brand strategy and marketing team at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation.Reporting to the Vice Dean of Academic Programs and serving as a member of the Dean’s Leadership Team, the CMO provides strategic leadership for all marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives that advance the reputation, enrollment growth, and stakeholder engagement across residential, online, and non-degree programs.This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the narrative and market presence of a world-class business school known for innovation, academic excellence, and global impact. The CMO will lead a high-performing team of marketing professionals, steward the brand, and deploy data-driven marketing strategies that elevate visibility, strengthen partnerships, and drive measurable results.Job Description:Key Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Brand Stewardship:Define, evolve, and promote the Mason School global brand identity, positioning, and messaging.Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned with school and university priorities.Ensure consistent and compelling brand representation across all channels and touchpoints.Serve as a strategic advisor to the Dean and leadership team on brand reputation, positioning, and market opportunities.Enrollment & Growth Marketing:Develop and execute data-driven marketing strategies to drive interest and enrollment across 12 residential and online graduate programs and multiple certificate programs.Partner with admissions and external vendors to align recruitment marketing with enrollment goals.Define KPIs and performance metrics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and ROI.Communications & Public Relations:Lead proactive media relations and thought leadership strategies to enhance institutional reputation.Oversee content strategy, storytelling, and reputation-building efforts across earned and owned media.Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets and strategic partners.Digital & Marketing Technology:Oversee and enhance the effectiveness of the digital ecosystem, including website strategy, SEO, and content optimization.Guide integration and effective use of marketing technologies (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, TargetX, Marketing Cloud).Leverage analytics and insights to inform strategy and continuous improvement.Team & Vendor Leadership:Lead and develop the marketing and communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.Manage and optimize relationships with multiple marketing, creative and strategic agencies and vendors. This includes managing a major OPM relationship.Evaluate opportunities for scaling impact through structural improvements or selective insourcing.Budget & Resource Management:Manage the marketing and media budget with strategic discipline and transparency.Align spending with performance metrics and institutional priorities.Ideal Leadership Characteristics:The Raymond A. Mason School of Business is looking for a strategic, collaborative marketing leader who combines creativity with analytical rigor. We are interested in a leader who is energized by growth, comfortable navigating change, and skilled at building consensus across complex organizations.Think like a brand builder and a growth strategistBalance data with storytellingDevelop people and cultivate strong teamsLead change with confidence and clarityInspire trust and alignment across stakeholdersWhy Join the Mason School of Business?At William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, you will join a collaborative, mission-driven community backed by the reputation of one of the nation’s most respected institutions.The CMO role is an opportunity to:Shape the future of a globally recognized business schoolLead meaningful brand and enrollment growthWork with a leadership team committed to innovationBuild a legacy through impactful storytelling and strategyRequired Qualifications: Please make sure your cover letter and resume clearly indicate how you meet the following required qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.Extensive progressive marketing leadership experience (typically 7+ years).Demonstrated success leading integrated marketing strategies.Experience managing teams, budgets, and agencies.Strong communication and executive presentation skills.Proven ability to work cross-functionally in complex organizations.Preferred Qualifications: Please make sure your cover letter and resume clearly indicate how you meet the following preferred qualifications:Master’s degree in a relevant field.Experience in higher education or mission-driven institutions.Expertise in digital marketing, SEO, and audience segmentation.Experience managing significant media budgets.Demonstrated success in change management and organizational growth.Understanding of enrollment marketing and higher education market dynamics.Conditions of Employment: This position may require additional hours beyond the typical 40-hour work week, to include occasional evening, night and weekend work, and/or overnight travel, as needed to meet the business needs of the operation.While the preference is for this role to be in-person with regular on-campus presence, there is the possibility for a remote or hybrid arrangement.For full consideration, please