Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.
Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
JOB SUMMARY
The Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication is the university's senior strategic leader for marketing, brand, and communications, responsible for advancing Hamline's reputation, enhancing enrollment, and strengthening alumni and donor engagement in direct support of the university's strategic plan. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this individual translates institutional priorities into an integrated marketing and communications strategy, builds and empowers a high-performing team to execute the day-to-day work of the division, and exercises sound judgment in navigating unexpected issues and critical situations without losing sight of long-term priorities. This is an executive-level role that requires the ability to operate simultaneously at three altitudes: ensuring consistent, high-quality daily execution; responding decisively to the unexpected; and providing forward-looking strategic counsel to the the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief of Staff, and the University Leadership Team (ULT) as a trusted institutional partner.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as a strategic partner to the Chief of Staff and the Chief Operating Officer, translating institutional priorities and Hamline's 2026–2030 Strategic Plan into an actionable marketing and communications strategy.
- Build organizational capacity by delegating operational and day-to-day execution to a capable team, ensuring reliable delivery of routine work while personally focused on strategic priorities.
- Anticipate institutional risks and opportunities, exercising sound judgment to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected issues, while keeping long-term strategic priorities on track.
- Represent marketing and communications in University Leadership Team (ULT) discussions and Board of Trustees settings, providing data-informed counsel that connects division work to institutional outcomes.
- Partner with the COO to establish an institution-wide Communication Governance Committee.
- Lead the communications and messaging strategy that supports organizational change management efforts across campus, ensuring the university community understands and stays engaged with the successful implementation of the strategic plan.
Strategic Marketing and Branding
- Direct and oversee the team responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing plans that support student recruitment, alumni engagement, and donor development, ensuring plans align with institutional priorities.
- Lead efforts to establish and maintain a consistent institutional brand identity across all communication channels.
- Conduct market research and analyze trends to inform strategy and decision-making.
Communications Leadership and Development
- Act as the chief communications professional for the university, overseeing and developing as needed all internal and external messaging.
- Support Hamline and the President’s activity related to public agenda by engaging media opportunities and managing press interviews.
- Provide leadership and consultation to faculty, staff, and students in effective media and communication strategies.
- Develop crisis communication plans and protocols, lead internal discussions regarding communications in critical situations, and serve as the primary spokesperson during critical situations when appropriate.
- Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leadership on reputational matters, balancing rapid, sound decision-making in critical moments with a clear line of sight to the university's long-term goals.
Creative Direction and Content Management
- Oversee the production of high-quality print and digital materials, including magazines, press releases, brochures, and social media campaigns.
- Direct storytelling initiatives that highlight the university’s achievements and values.
- Ensure all content is consistent with the university's branding and communication standards.
Digital Strategy
- Oversee the team members responsible for the development and management of the university's website and social media channels.
- Review and approve digital marketing strategies developed by the team, including search engine marketing and optimization (SEM/SEO), content marketing, email campaigns, and targeted advertising.
- Use performance data and analysis provided by the team and agency partners to inform digital strategy decisions and optimize engagement.
Team and Budget Management
- Develop and mentor the marketing and communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation that positions the team as a trusted strategic partner across the university.
- Manage departmental budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support strategic priorities.
- Oversee strategic or high-visibility partnerships with external vendors and agencies, while delegating management of other vendor and agency relationships to team members.
- Help the established team function as a strategic partner across the university, empowering members to lead in their areas of expertise while maintaining alignment with institutional priorities and holding university partners accountable to the team’s processes and university standards.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with university leadership to develop messaging that supports institutional goals.
- Ensure the team builds and maintains relationships with local, national, and industry media outlets to enhance the university’s visibility. Engage directly with key media contacts as needed.
- Coordinate with the President’s Office, Alumni Relations, Institutional Advancement, Enrollment Management, and the Dean of Students to align messages and communication strategies.
- Partner directly with the University Leadership Team (ULT) to communicate institutional strategy, priorities, and progress on the strategic plan to internal and external audiences, including Hamline’s Board of Trustees.
- Lead marketing and communications strategy in direct support of Strategic Plan Initiative #1 (Increase Student Enrollment) by improving marketing quality and reach in partnership with Enrollment and Initiative #12 (Increase Giving and Alumni Engagement), including the launch of a comprehensive campaign, in partnership with Advancement.
- Ensure that stakeholder engagement carried out by direct reports and team members is effective and reflects institutional priorities, with direct engagement on high-level or sensitive relationships as needed.
Other Duties as Assigned
- Perform additional work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer
This position supervises 8-10 employees.
BUDGET MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for the following budgets: Marketing and Communications (CC00400, CC00619, CC06066, CC06067, CC06068, CC05059)
Budget Range: $1.5-2M.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KEY COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic marketing and communications plans with measurable outcomes.
- Understanding of digital marketing tools and platforms, including content management system (Drupal preferred), customer relationship management systems (Slate preferred), and project management systems such as Work Zone and Trello.
- Established relationships with journalists and media outlets across Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Experience developing and implementing crisis communication plans.
- Demonstrated ability to draft and to direct creation of communication content, including news releases and media alerts, to support initiatives.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency in AP and Chicago writing styles.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to interpret data and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Proven leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
- In-depth knowledge of branding, public relations, and media engagement strategies.
- Demonstrated executive presence and sound judgment, with the ability to move fluidly between hands-on problem-solving, crisis response, and long-range strategic planning.
- Ability to delegate effectively and build organizational capacity, empowering a team to manage daily operations while the leader focuses on institutional strategy.
- Skilled in change management, with experience aligning a division's work to a broader institutional strategic plan and communicating that alignment to executive leadership and governing boards.
- Ability to operate as an equal member of the COO’s leadership portfolio, partnering directly with peer executive leaders.
MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field OR equivalent experience.
Experience:
- 10+ years progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or public relations.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in marketing and communications leadership roles, including experience operating at a senior/executive level.
- 5+ years of experience developing media relationships, including experience as an organizational spokesperson.
- 5+ years of experience creating and implementing branding strategies that align with institutional goals and target audiences.
- 5+ years of experience drafting, editing, and directing the creation of communication materials (e.g., press releases, speeches, newsletters, annual reports).
- 5+ years of experience managing direct reports with expertise spanning diverse marketing and communication specialties, cross-functional teams, and departmental budgets of $1,000,000 or more.
- 3+ years experience with digital marketing tools (i.e. Drupal, Slate, and Google Analytics)
- Experience contributing to or leading strategic planning processes, and translating institutional strategy into departmental goals and priorities.
- Demonstrated experience supporting equity through marketing communications; expertise developing compelling messages for diverse audiences.
PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Education: Master’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Journalism, or Strategic Communications.
Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in marketing and/or recruitment
- 10+ years of experience in higher education or complex institutional environments.
- PRSA Advance Crisis Communication Certification
- Prior experience serving on or reporting directly into an executive/senior leadership team (e.g., Cabinet, President's Council, ULT) in higher education or a comparable complex organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS / EQUIPMENT
Must perform the following essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation:
- Must be able to work on a computer for extended periods of time.
- Ability to work an on-call schedule.
- Ability to travel on and off campus locations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This is a full time, 1.0 FTE, exempt position, 12 months a year.
- This position may require overtime and requires an on-call availability to address critical situations.
- Night and or weekend work may be required.
Compensation and Benefits:
Pay Range: $107,000.00 - $113,000.00
Full-Time Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package which may include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Paid Time off, including vacation time, paid holidays and safe and sick leave time off
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Tuition waiver
NOTE:
Please upload your cover letter and your resume when you apply for this position.
All questions marked ‘Required’ need to be answered in order to submit the application. It is important that your application show all of the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If rejected, you must reapply for the position in order to be considered. A resume or curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position, contact information for 3 current, professional references, as well as copies of transcripts (if required) must be uploaded with each application.