Bates College
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, us, 04241
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Job no:
492862Work type:
Staff Full Time - Full YearLocation:
Lewiston, MECategories:
Communications
Title: Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Position Purpose:
Lead, develop, and implement a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing vision for Bates. Collaborating directly with and acting as a key strategic advisor, the Vice President will partner with the President, executive leadership representing all areas of the institution, faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, alumni, and friends of the college to ensure that an authentic brand, identity, message, and image of Bates is presented to all external and internal audiences, and across all channels.
Bates College has retained the Executive Search Firm, The Ward Group, to lead the search efforts. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: info@wardgroup.com and reference "Bates" in the subject line.
Job Duties:
Lead a collaborative effort to establish an integrated, college-wide strategic communications and marketing plan that promotes Bates' identity, priorities, and accomplishments to internal and external audiences.Ensure that strategies integrate multiple communication channels and tactics, including digital, print, social, editorial, and media relations.Direct communications and marketing activities that engage Bates' critical external constituents, including prospective students and families, alumni, donors, and influencers.Strategically partner in integrated ways with Admission and College Advancement to support programs that focus on studentrecruitment, acquisition, success, retention, engagement, philanthropy, and ongoing advocacy for the college.Ensure quality and creativity of institutional presentation and optimization across all channels.Serve as advisor to the President, senior staff, the Board of Trustees, and other college leaders, offering sound advice and counsel on communications and marketing matters, reputational risks, major decisions and events, and crisis planning and response.Be a visible presence on campus and participate in the vibrant life of the college.Oversee the articulation of the college's position on complex and sensitive issues, ensuring that the institution's mission andaccomplishments are advanced effectively.Guide the relevant groundwork (such as market and brand research) necessary to inform the amplification of Bates' brand, reputation, and messaging architecture. The brand identity framework will be well-defined and articulated, aligned to Bates' strategic mission and vision, and followed by internal and external audiences.Throughout this process, create an effective partnership network across all Bates' stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.Ensure the production of high-quality products that effectively deliver a strategic, desired message within budget and time constraints.Take an engaged approach to empowering, coaching, and mentoring, the team in the Bates Communications and Marketing Office.Maintain the capabilities and effectiveness of this group of 14 talented staff and professionals, including setting clear performance management objectives, and evaluating the structure, resources,and capabilities to provide a proactive, agile, client-focused resource for the college.Maintain effective working relationships with key local, state, and national media outlets and ensure that the college is well-represented in news media by spokespeople and other individuals.Monitor statewide and national educational trends, especially those with implications for Bates.Champion internal communication strategies and tactics in partnership with the senior staff and audience owners in Academic Affairs, Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources, and Student Affairs.Design and facilitate processes related to crafting messaging, identifying and optimizing effective channels, and creating actionablefeedback loops with internal audiences.Ensure strategic use of measurement frameworks to analyze the effectiveness of all programs and activities, creating a culture of continual testing, learning, and optimization.Make data-informed proposals and decisions, and link budgets andexpenditures to measurable outcomes.Minimum Qualifications:
Education
Degree preferred or relevant experience considered.
Experience
Proven track record of success in communications and marketing positions with progressive responsibility and experience developing integrated plans and programs that drive results across high-value, complex, decision-making journeys.Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity, and ability to effectively communicate with people across cultural, political, and social differences.Previous experience in higher education is preferred but not a requirement. Must embrace the mission of the college and appreciate its culture and history.Experience in identifying a brand's nuance and distinctive value and commitment to championing the Bates brand.Proven success in brand development, storytelling, and adapting messaging to address various constituents.Visible and accessible management style. Proven success in managing, motivating, and supporting an integrated communications and marketing unit is essential.Experience with identifying and assessing talent, building teams, and recommending appropriate staffing models to support overall goals and objectives.Ability to manage and meet divisional budget expectations with an understanding of institutional finances. Proven track record of being a wise fiscal steward of resources.Proven expertise as both a strategic thinker and a project manager with a keen ability to multitask and meet deliverables.Demonstrated ability to direct outside business partners and agency providers.Integrity, strategic agility, entrepreneurial spirit, political acuity, cultural humility, positive attitude, compassion, excellent judgment, and exceptional skills in collaboration.High energy and drive, a sense of humor, and a love of this work.Skills and Knowledge
Ability to set the communications vision and bring creativity that explores new ways to accomplish traditional objectives, including promotional instincts and a keen sense of how to manage external messages.Expert verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills, including ability to set direction on specific issues and produce high-quality work under pressure.Understanding of public media and issues management. Proven experience in working with and advising people in leadership positions.Strong working knowledge of the latest digital and print trends, digital engagement, social media, content marketing, lead generation and acquisition strategies, search engine optimization (SEO), paid media, branding, and market research techniques and practices.Aptitude for and adeptness at tracking and leveraging data to inform strategy and tactics aligned with an organization's strategic plan and mission.Ability to function as a member of a senior leadership team, and an understanding of and commitment to shared governance and collaborative decision-making as it relates to consensus-building around programs and messaging.Familiarity with and comfort in a cross-functional work environment.Willingness to build internal partnerships with multiple stakeholders to inspire creative thinking, foster problem-solving, and establish trust.
Benefits:
Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff. Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Discrimination Policy.
Inquiries concerning the college's policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to Gwen Lexow, Title IX Officer, 207-786-6445 or via email at glexow@bates.edu.
About Bates:
Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college, attracting 2,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world.
Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to educating the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. Committed to opportunity and excellence, Bates has always admitted students without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin.
Cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action, Bates prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world. Bates engages the forces - intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology - that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.
Bates has highly competitive admissions, graduates over 90 percent of its entering students, and more than half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates employs 200 faculty members and 550 staff.
The college is proud of deep roots in the Lewiston/Auburn community, Maine's second-largest urban area with a population of approximately 65,000. Bates is located on a beautiful, 133-acre, traditional New England campus in Lewiston, an emerging city with an entrepreneurial climate, a lively arts scene, and a dynamic business community. Bates is 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 350 miles north of New York City.
Advertised:
Jun 18 2024 Eastern Daylight TimeApplications close:
Job no:
492862Work type:
Staff Full Time - Full YearLocation:
Lewiston, MECategories:
Communications
Title: Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Position Purpose:
Lead, develop, and implement a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing vision for Bates. Collaborating directly with and acting as a key strategic advisor, the Vice President will partner with the President, executive leadership representing all areas of the institution, faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, alumni, and friends of the college to ensure that an authentic brand, identity, message, and image of Bates is presented to all external and internal audiences, and across all channels.
Bates College has retained the Executive Search Firm, The Ward Group, to lead the search efforts. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: info@wardgroup.com and reference "Bates" in the subject line.
Job Duties:
Lead a collaborative effort to establish an integrated, college-wide strategic communications and marketing plan that promotes Bates' identity, priorities, and accomplishments to internal and external audiences.Ensure that strategies integrate multiple communication channels and tactics, including digital, print, social, editorial, and media relations.Direct communications and marketing activities that engage Bates' critical external constituents, including prospective students and families, alumni, donors, and influencers.Strategically partner in integrated ways with Admission and College Advancement to support programs that focus on studentrecruitment, acquisition, success, retention, engagement, philanthropy, and ongoing advocacy for the college.Ensure quality and creativity of institutional presentation and optimization across all channels.Serve as advisor to the President, senior staff, the Board of Trustees, and other college leaders, offering sound advice and counsel on communications and marketing matters, reputational risks, major decisions and events, and crisis planning and response.Be a visible presence on campus and participate in the vibrant life of the college.Oversee the articulation of the college's position on complex and sensitive issues, ensuring that the institution's mission andaccomplishments are advanced effectively.Guide the relevant groundwork (such as market and brand research) necessary to inform the amplification of Bates' brand, reputation, and messaging architecture. The brand identity framework will be well-defined and articulated, aligned to Bates' strategic mission and vision, and followed by internal and external audiences.Throughout this process, create an effective partnership network across all Bates' stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.Ensure the production of high-quality products that effectively deliver a strategic, desired message within budget and time constraints.Take an engaged approach to empowering, coaching, and mentoring, the team in the Bates Communications and Marketing Office.Maintain the capabilities and effectiveness of this group of 14 talented staff and professionals, including setting clear performance management objectives, and evaluating the structure, resources,and capabilities to provide a proactive, agile, client-focused resource for the college.Maintain effective working relationships with key local, state, and national media outlets and ensure that the college is well-represented in news media by spokespeople and other individuals.Monitor statewide and national educational trends, especially those with implications for Bates.Champion internal communication strategies and tactics in partnership with the senior staff and audience owners in Academic Affairs, Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources, and Student Affairs.Design and facilitate processes related to crafting messaging, identifying and optimizing effective channels, and creating actionablefeedback loops with internal audiences.Ensure strategic use of measurement frameworks to analyze the effectiveness of all programs and activities, creating a culture of continual testing, learning, and optimization.Make data-informed proposals and decisions, and link budgets andexpenditures to measurable outcomes.Minimum Qualifications:
Education
Degree preferred or relevant experience considered.
Experience
Proven track record of success in communications and marketing positions with progressive responsibility and experience developing integrated plans and programs that drive results across high-value, complex, decision-making journeys.Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity, and ability to effectively communicate with people across cultural, political, and social differences.Previous experience in higher education is preferred but not a requirement. Must embrace the mission of the college and appreciate its culture and history.Experience in identifying a brand's nuance and distinctive value and commitment to championing the Bates brand.Proven success in brand development, storytelling, and adapting messaging to address various constituents.Visible and accessible management style. Proven success in managing, motivating, and supporting an integrated communications and marketing unit is essential.Experience with identifying and assessing talent, building teams, and recommending appropriate staffing models to support overall goals and objectives.Ability to manage and meet divisional budget expectations with an understanding of institutional finances. Proven track record of being a wise fiscal steward of resources.Proven expertise as both a strategic thinker and a project manager with a keen ability to multitask and meet deliverables.Demonstrated ability to direct outside business partners and agency providers.Integrity, strategic agility, entrepreneurial spirit, political acuity, cultural humility, positive attitude, compassion, excellent judgment, and exceptional skills in collaboration.High energy and drive, a sense of humor, and a love of this work.Skills and Knowledge
Ability to set the communications vision and bring creativity that explores new ways to accomplish traditional objectives, including promotional instincts and a keen sense of how to manage external messages.Expert verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills, including ability to set direction on specific issues and produce high-quality work under pressure.Understanding of public media and issues management. Proven experience in working with and advising people in leadership positions.Strong working knowledge of the latest digital and print trends, digital engagement, social media, content marketing, lead generation and acquisition strategies, search engine optimization (SEO), paid media, branding, and market research techniques and practices.Aptitude for and adeptness at tracking and leveraging data to inform strategy and tactics aligned with an organization's strategic plan and mission.Ability to function as a member of a senior leadership team, and an understanding of and commitment to shared governance and collaborative decision-making as it relates to consensus-building around programs and messaging.Familiarity with and comfort in a cross-functional work environment.Willingness to build internal partnerships with multiple stakeholders to inspire creative thinking, foster problem-solving, and establish trust.
Benefits:
Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff. Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Discrimination Policy.
Inquiries concerning the college's policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to Gwen Lexow, Title IX Officer, 207-786-6445 or via email at glexow@bates.edu.
About Bates:
Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college, attracting 2,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world.
Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to educating the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. Committed to opportunity and excellence, Bates has always admitted students without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin.
Cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action, Bates prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world. Bates engages the forces - intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology - that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.
Bates has highly competitive admissions, graduates over 90 percent of its entering students, and more than half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates employs 200 faculty members and 550 staff.
The college is proud of deep roots in the Lewiston/Auburn community, Maine's second-largest urban area with a population of approximately 65,000. Bates is located on a beautiful, 133-acre, traditional New England campus in Lewiston, an emerging city with an entrepreneurial climate, a lively arts scene, and a dynamic business community. Bates is 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 350 miles north of New York City.
Advertised:
Jun 18 2024 Eastern Daylight TimeApplications close: