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Job description
Description
St. Bonaventure University invites applications for the position of Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) position. The Chief Marketing and Communication Officer is a strategic executive leader responsible for shaping and advancing the brand identity, reputation, and market position of St. Bonaventure University, bringing strong news judgment and editorial vision alongside expertise in modern marketing and brand strategy.Serves as a strategic advisor to the President and President’s Cabinet on communications, messaging, and reputational risk.
The CMCO will develop and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy, grounded in strong editorial vision and institutional storytelling, that aligns with the University’s Franciscan mission and strategic goals. This role is pivotal in driving enrollment, leading storytelling strategy, enhancing institutional prestige, and fostering engagement across diverse internal and external constituencies. The CMCO serves as the University’s lead strategist for internal communications, ensuring alignment of messaging across Cabinet, divisions, and key stakeholder groups. This role establishes institutional standards and frameworks for communications and marketing across a decentralized environment to ensure consistency, clarity, and impact. The CMCO generally serves as the official spokesperson for the university.
This is an in-person leadership role reporting directly to the President. The CMCO establishes and leads institution-wide communications and marketing standards, working in close coordination with Advancement, Athletics, Enrollment, and academic units to ensure alignment with brand strategy and institutional priorities.
About St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure University is located in the scenic Enchanted Mountain region of Western New York, approximately 75 miles south of Buffalo, New York, with easy access to major metropolitan areas. A close‑knit and caring community guided by its values of compassion, wisdom and integrity, St. Bonaventure is dedicated to academic excellence as informed by its Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. The university is committed to developing an inclusive community and preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.
The university currently enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 graduate students in its schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Communication, and Health Professions. U.S. News & World Report ranks SBU in the top 15% of regional universities in the North, for both value and overall. St. Bonaventure is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (NCAA Division I), with athletes participating in 20 sports.
Communications: 30%
Responsible for developing, refining and disseminating internal and external communications (for the university broadly and the university president more specifically). Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive internal communications strategy that promotes transparency, alignment, and engagement across faculty, staff, students, and the Franciscan community. In collaboration with MarComm staff, oversee development of all print and digital communications and video productions including the alumni magazine, marketing collateral materials, institutional website and enrollment‑driven videos.
Marketing: 30%
Strategic Brand Leadership: Define and steward the University’s brand voice, ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative across all platforms (digital, print, social, and earned media). Oversee the development of data‑driven marketing campaigns to support undergraduate and graduate recruitment, retention, and fundraising initiatives.
In concert with the Office of Enrollment, create and execute a marketing and communications strategy to enhance the brand of the university to bolster enrollment and develop affinity with internal and external constituent groups, such as alumni. Serve as the primary architect for the University’s media relations strategy, proactively securing high‑profile coverage and managing the University’s public profile.
Oversees the University’s digital ecosystem, including website strategy, content architecture, and digital engagement channels, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and user experience best practices.
Public Relations & Media: 15%
Serve as the primary architect for the University’s media relations strategy, proactively securing high‑profile coverage and managing the University’s public profile.
Crisis Communication: Act as the lead strategist and spokesperson during critical issues, providing expert counsel to the President and Board of Trustees to protect institutional reputation.
Advancement Communications: 10%
In partnership with Advancement and Alumni Relations, develops and executes integrated communications strategies that support donor engagement, campaign priorities, alumni participation, and stewardship efforts.
Administrative
Oversee the departmental budget, ensuring high‑impact ROI on marketing spend and managing external agency partnerships. Handle budgetary and clerical duties of the Office of Marketing & Communications, including the development and maintenance of a primary divisional budget. Nurture relationships with marketing vendors/partners to enhance the brand of the university.
Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) for marketing and communications efforts, including enrollment, engagement, and advancement‑related metrics. Regularly reports outcomes and insights to senior leadership to inform strategy and resource allocation.
Supplemental Functions
Ensures continuity of operations through effective team leadership, cross‑training, and resource planning.
Other duties as requested by the President.
Typical Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s or doctoral degree is preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in marketing, communications, or related fields. Experience in higher education is preferred, though high‑level corporate or non‑profit experience will be considered. Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications, media relations, and marketing program to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
Supplemental Information
Full‑time employees at SBU enjoy unparalleled Benefits
Abundance of Time off
Tuition Remission
100% undergraduate tuition remission for employee, spouse, and dependents
80% graduate tuition remission for employee (online and ground programs)
50% for spouse (ground programs only)
Full Benefit package
403b Retirement Plan + 10% Employer contribution after 2 years
Health Insurance with $250 Wellness card
Dental Insurance
Employer Paid Life insurance
Short‑term Disability
Employer Paid Long‑term Disability
Employee Assistance Program
Other Perks
Free access to campus fitness center
2 free Division 1 Men’s Basketball Season tickets
Golf course membership discount
Other National and Local discounts available
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Worksite address
new york, NY, 10261, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.