Chief Marketing Officer (on-site)

St. Norbert College (SNC), a nationally ranked, private, Catholic, liberal arts college, is seeking a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This is an on-site position and serves as the senior leader responsible for developing and executing an institution-wide marketing and communications strategy aligned with the College’s mission, values, and long-term vision. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the CMO provides strategic leadership that advances institutional goals, strengthens brand identity, and elevates the College’s regional and national profile.

Specific responsibilities:

• Strategic Marketing Leadership: The CMO leads the creation and implementation of bold, forward-thinking marketing initiatives that position the College distinctively within the evolving higher education landscape. This includes guiding brand strategy through the integration of neuromarketing, storytelling, experiential marketing, and archetypal frameworks, while ensuring all messaging is aligned with the College’s core values and aspirations. The CMO serves as the President’s chief marketing advisor, offering insights and direction on opportunities for innovation and brand amplification.

• Executive and Institutional Communications: This role is responsible for directing executive communications, including the development of thought leadership platforms and institutional messaging for the President. The CMO oversees the creation of speeches, internal communications, and responses to strategic or sensitive matters, ensuring that communications are timely, consistent, and reflective of the College’s mission and priorities.

• Enrollment and Advancement Marketing: A key area of focus for the CMO is leading data-informed marketing campaigns that drive undergraduate and graduate enrollment growth. The CMO also oversees advancement communications that engage alumni, cultivate donors, and support comprehensive institutional fundraising campaigns. These efforts are designed to expand the College’s reach, strengthen relationships, and generate measurable outcomes in enrollment and philanthropy.

• Media and Public Relations: The Chief Marketing Officer serves as the lead architect of the College’s media relations strategy, working to elevate institutional visibility and reputation through regional and national earned media. This role includes acting as spokesperson or media strategist during moments of opportunity or crisis, as well as liaising with external partners and cultivating relationships with key journalists and media outlets to secure meaningful coverage and build public trust.

• Digital and Multi-channel Strategy: The CMO directs the College’s digital and multi-channel marketing strategies across paid, earned, owned, and shared platforms. The role includes oversight of major initiatives such as the upcoming Drupal website launch, with a strong focus on optimizing user experience and driving conversion for enrollment and advancement. The CMO champions innovation in content strategy, experimenting with emerging formats and platforms, including video, podcasting, and social media.

• Marketing Operations and Team Leadership: The CMO oversees the College’s marketing technology stack and ensures the implementation of scalable, efficient operations. This includes CRM, CMS, marketing automation, analytics, project management tools, and selected vendor management. The CMO leads a cross-functional team of strategists, creatives, media specialists, and operational professionals, fostering a high-performing culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, and mission alignment. The CMO also collaborates extensively with Cabinet members and other institutional stakeholders, presenting regularly at town halls, Board of Trustees meetings, and strategic planning sessions.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree Required

• Master’s Degree Preferred (or commensurate experience)

• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, including at least five years in a senior leadership role.

• Demonstrated success leading brand strategy and integrated marketing campaigns that drive measurable outcomes.

• Proven experience in executive communications, including speechwriting, internal messaging, and crisis communication.

• Expertise in digital marketing strategy, including web, social, paid media, SEO, and analytics.

• Familiarity with marketing technologies such as CMS (Drupal preferred), email marketing (Slate, Raiser’s Edge, and Emma knowledge preferred), and project management tools.

• Strong media relations skills and ability to serve as spokesperson or media strategist.

• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with a track record of influencing across stakeholder groups.

• Commitment to mission-driven work, with experience in higher education, nonprofit, or values-based organizations preferred.

• Dedicated to working in a mission-driven environment, with a profound respect for and commitment to preserving the rich traditions of Catholicism, Norbertine values, and the liberal arts.

Benefits package:
The College offers an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plan; paid time-off and tuition waiver. For more information, please visit: https://www.snc.edu/hr/workinghere.html.

Application instructions:
Applications received by September 2 will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be accepted until the position has been filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.

St. Norbert College, a Catholic, Norbertine, and Liberal Arts College, provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual, and personal development.  As the only Norbertine institution of higher learning in the world, our roots, traditions, and commitments create a unique and enriching educational experience for our students.  

At SNC, our commitment to communio – the Norbertine ideal of a community united as one – is grounded in the principles of dignity, truth, and justice. Consistent with these principles, St. Norbert is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.  

We seek those who will embrace our mission and commitment to building a vibrant, diverse, and spiritually engaged community (https://www.snc.edu/mission/gettingtoknow.html).  

Exempt

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the job if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the job. Percentage of time may vary widely depending on the needs of the position during any particular time period. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.