Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day communications operations, providing hands-on leadership, creative guidance, and professional development to a team of 4-6 direct reports.
• Implement comprehensive communication plans across print, digital, social, video, and email platforms, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities such as brand management, enrollment marketing, and alum and donor engagement.
• Develop compelling, audience-specific messaging for prospective students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
• Ensure consistent application of the college's brand voice, tone, and messaging architecture across all channels.
• Manage content planning and publishing across web and social media, collaborating with digital colleagues to enhance user experience and engagement.
• Assist in media outreach, coordinate responses to press inquiries, and prepare media materials and executive messaging.
• Track and report on communications performance using analytics to inform improvements and assess tools, workflows, and vendor partnerships.
• Provide marketing communications guidance to senior leadership and departments, ensuring clarity and consistency in institutional messaging.
• Assist in drafting messages from senior leadership, coordinate campus-wide updates, and facilitate crisis communications as needed.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, preferably within higher education or a mission-driven organization.
• A Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in implementing multi-platform communication strategies with measurable impact.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a deep understanding of brand voice and tone.
• Proven experience managing teams and complex cross-departmental projects with competing priorities.
• Familiarity with digital content strategy, CMS platforms, social media tools, analytics, and email marketing systems.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a service-minded, collaborative approach.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and authentic storytelling reflecting diverse experiences and perspectives.

Nice to Have

• Experience within higher education or a mission-driven organization.
• Experience with crisis communications.
• Experience with media outreach and executive messaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field
• At least 8 years of experience in marketing and communications

Benefits & Perks

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 10.5% of salary)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Disability and Leave Benefits
• Life Insurance (College paid coverage 1x salary)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Benefits (to Mount Holyoke College or others)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Access to Kendall Sports & Dance Complex