• Interested in leading a group of creatives who tell the amazing stories of the largest university in the Minnesota State system?
• Want to work in a national award-winning advancement unit whose stories and engagement have led to record fundraising and robust student enrollment?
• Ready to join an experienced and successful leadership team where you can grow your management and leadership skills?

We’re looking for a talented, creative, marketing and communications leader to serve as our Minnesota State University (MNSU) Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications (AVP-MAR-COM). As MNSU’s AVP-MAR-COM, you will help us enhance the brand of the University, develop a university-marketing website, and help us tell the stories of our students and ~145,000 Maverick alumni worldwide.

Position Purpose

Essentially our chief strategic communications officer, the AVP-MAR-COM reports to the Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA) and works in concert with the Associate Vice President for University Advancement (AVP-UA), and often the University President, as well as members of the University community. Together, we strive to strengthen the University’s reputation as an internationally recognized public regional comprehensive university.  The AVP-MAR-COM will work closely with the VPUA to establish the strategic direction of the unit and to develop comprehensive, innovative solutions to enhance the student recruitment and fundraising outcomes, as well as the overall University brand.

The AVP-MAR-COM also leads the development of internal communication strategy for executive leadership and oversees internal communications that are strategic. The AVP-MAR-COM supervises more than 20 staff members; that currently includes public and media relations, social and digital media, video production services, web design and development, KMSU Radio, and Creative Productions.

This position reports directly to the VPUA and serves as a member of the President’s Expanded Cabinet. The AVP-MAR-COM participates in institutional strategic planning, policy-making, and executive leadership of the University and leads cross-University collaborations that galvanize significant operational improvements in marketing and communications.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the team of creative talent, which includes the following direct reports…

• Senior Director of University Marketing and Communications
• Director of Media Relations
• Director of Web Marketing
• Director of Content Marketing
• Director of Visual Content Strategies

…as well as up to 20 indirect reports and 3-6 students.

Manage staff and oversee budgets for the Office of University Marketing and Communications, KMSU radio station, and Creative Productions. Oversee University communications channels, including its marketing website and University social media platforms. Direct the development, production, and distribution of all University communications materials, whether print or electronic. Annual budget authority is ~$4.6 million. (40% of AVP-MAR-COM’s time)

Creatively and strategically produce and direct social/digital and new media content of all kinds — text, photography, and video — to enhance the University’s social/digital (web) media presence. Demonstrably increase constituent engagement, partnering as necessary with other content providers in UMAR-COMM and across campus. Monitor and continually expand expertise in cutting-edge social media practices and technologies to ensure that MNSU is a leader among public regional universities in strategically using such communications platforms. Strategically grow online communities and create and execute viral and targeted outreach campaigns that achieve communications goals by partnering with Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, and other University offices as needed. (20% of AVP-MAR-COM’s time)

Lead the proactive media team and assist with enhancing MNSU’s reputation and visibility by driving earned media placements in influential media through reporter outreach, pitch development, and using measurement/analytics to inform future strategy for growth. (15% of AVP-MAR-COM’s time)

Develop and manage the annual media purchase and all ad campaigns. Amplify the University’s impact in the marketplace through truly integrated marketing and cross-University media buys. Lead in market research and market analysis efforts. Oversee and lead in the brand enhancement of the University including implementation of a new brand book, and keep current a campus branding master plan. (10% of AVP-MAR-COM’s time)

Report directly to the Vice President and serve as a member of the President’s Expanded Cabinet and a member of the UA Executive Staff or as requested. Participate in institutional and strategic planning, policy-making, and executive leadership of the University. Serve as a key member of the University crisis communications team, and liaise with others on campus as necessary. (10% of AVP-MAR-COM’s time)

Other duties as assigned by the Vice President and/or President. (5% of AVP-MAR-COM’s time)