Assistant/Associate Vice President of Communications and Marketing (M3 Career Level, Exempt)

Grinnell College - Grinnell, IA

Full-time - Mid Level

Grinnell, IA

Educational Services

About the position

Grinnell College is seeking a dynamic and energetic Associate Vice President (AVP) of Communications and Marketing to join its leadership team. This role is pivotal in shaping and enhancing the college's brand, voice, and content strategy, aligning with the institution's strategic priorities and mission. The AVP will work collaboratively with stakeholders across campus and within the broader alumni and Grinnell communities to elevate the college's presence and impact. In this exciting leadership position, the AVP will serve as a player-coach, leading a highly collaborative team of communications and marketing experts. This includes overseeing directors of internal communications and digital strategy, as well as a creative team of writers, designers, and visual communicators. Together, they will steward the Grinnell College brand and manage the institutional content strategy and calendar. The AVP will be responsible for developing and overseeing comprehensive marketing and communications strategies, ensuring that all efforts are based on a shared understanding of brand positioning, visual presentation, voice, objectives, audiences, and communication channels. The role also involves leading initiatives to boost brand awareness and collaborating with campus communicators and external relations professionals to ensure that the college's message resonates widely. The AVP will oversee the creation, implementation, and measurement of the college's annual content calendar and strategy, ensuring that content is timely, relevant, and aligned with strategic goals. Additionally, the AVP will partner with various departments, including Enrollment, Development, Alumni, and Community Relations, to support the implementation of the college's strategic plan. The AVP will collaborate with the Director of Digital Strategy to refine and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), continuously adjusting strategies for maximum impact. Professional growth will be a priority, as the AVP will identify and create development plans for direct reports and the broader communications and marketing team. The position also includes overseeing departmental operations, project management, and budget management, while stepping in as needed during campus emergencies or events requiring special staffing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a player-coach on a collaborative team of communications and marketing experts.
• Develop and oversee comprehensive marketing and communications strategies.
• Lead initiatives to boost brand awareness and impact.
• Oversee the creation, implementation, and measurement of the College's annual content calendar and strategy.
• Partner with Enrollment, Development, Alumni, and Community Relations to support the College's strategic plan.
• Collaborate with the Director of Digital Strategy to refine and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Identify and create professional development plans for direct reports and the broader communications and marketing team.
• Oversee departmental operations and project management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Marketing, Development or related fields.
• Five years or more relevant work experience (Assistant) or seven years or more relevant work experience (Associate).
• Demonstrated direct experience in content strategy, execution, and metrics.
• Understanding of brand positioning and metrics related to brand strength.
• Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Ability to work individually as well as collaboratively.
• Experience being both a thought partner and mentor to a communication team.
• Aptitude for leading a team in an operations capacity.

Nice-to-haves

• MA, MBA or MPA preferred.
• Experience in higher education.