Chief Marketing Officer

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The Chief Marketing Officer serves as Montana State University’s senior marketing and brand leader. The position is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing strategies that strengthen the university’s reputation, advance institutional priorities and deepen engagement with key audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as the university’s senior marketing and brand leader, providing strategic direction for institutional marketing, brand positioning and audience engagement.
• Develops and leads a team of professionals in the areas of marketing, digital marketing, social media, trademarks and licensing, advertising, marketing analytics and brand implementation.
• Oversees brand strategy and the execution of creative, integrated marketing programs that support student recruitment, retention, success, institutional affinity and brand awareness.
• Works closely with the Office of Admissions and other key university units to develop marketing strategies that support enrollment-related goals and measurable outcomes.
• Leads advertising and media buying strategy, including digital advertising, paid social, paid search, print, radio, television/video and other channels, with a focus on maximizing marketing investments.
• Oversees the development and implementation of marketing campaigns that are audience-focused, data-informed and aligned with university priorities.
• Uses market research, audience insights, campaign analytics and performance data to evaluate marketing effectiveness and guide future strategy.
• Oversees the university’s brand standards and works with colleges, departments and units to ensure marketing and communications materials are consistent with MSU’s visual identity, voice, messaging and institutional priorities.
• Ensures the MSU brand is developed, strengthened and protected across all channels, including advertising, digital platforms, social media, publications, merchandise and other public-facing materials.
• Supervises staff responsible for managing university trademarks, licensing agreements, royalty collection, licensee relationships and the development of retail products that build brand affinity.
• Works collaboratively with university partners, including legal counsel, athletics and trademarks/licensing staff, on issues involving MSU’s marks, licensing, brand use and Name, Image and Likeness matters.
• Works closely with University Communications teams in Visual Media, News, Creative Services, and Web and Digital Communications to ensure coordinated, high-quality and effective integrated communications.
• Oversees social media strategy and digital marketing strategy in coordination with staff responsible for implementation and analytics.
• Provides leadership for marketing services delivered through University Communications’ shared services model, including setting priorities, strengthening workflows and ensuring that services meet the needs of university clients.
• Mentors, coaches and develops marketing team members, fostering collaboration, creativity, accountability and alignment with institutional goals.
• Develops and manages marketing budgets and resources within University Communications to ensure effectiveness, accountability and strategic impact.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, brand management, advertising, communications, digital marketing, licensing or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the competencies required to succeed in this position.
• Significant supervisory experience in marketing, communications or a related field.
• Experience leading a team of marketing professionals with a range of specializations.
• Experience developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies that strengthen brand awareness, institutional reputation or audience engagement.
• Experience managing large-scale projects, campaigns, budgets and vendor relationships.
• Experience using data, analytics or market research to inform marketing strategy and evaluate results.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to convey complex ideas, strategies and recommendations effectively to senior leaders and campus partners.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working in marketing within higher education.
• Experience working in a land-grant university, public university, public agency or similarly complex, mission-driven organization.
• Familiarity with collegiate trademarks, licensing, brand standards, retail partnerships or athletics-related brand considerations.
• Experience supporting enrollment, student success, advancement, alumni engagement or other institutional priorities through marketing strategy.
• Experience leading marketing work within a centralized or shared services communications model.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Be an experienced marketing and brand leader who can develop and implement integrated marketing strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Understand modern marketing principles, including brand positioning, audience segmentation, content strategy, digital marketing, advertising, analytics and campaign measurement.
• Understand the role of marketing in advancing student recruitment, retention, student success and institutional reputation.
• Demonstrate the ability to build awareness and affinity among diverse audiences, including prospective students, families, alumni, employees, partners, retailers, licensees and Montana communities.
• Be able to create cohesive, impactful campaigns that drive measurable results.
• Demonstrate sound judgment in brand stewardship, including the ability to help university partners achieve their goals while maintaining consistency with MSU’s brand standards and institutional expectations.
• Have the ability to lead and manage diverse teams of professionals, fostering collaboration, creativity, accountability and alignment with institutional goals.
• Be skilled in budget management, resource allocation and vendor oversight to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Be comfortable working in a complex university environment where success requires collaboration, service orientation, diplomacy and follow-through.
• Demonstrate commitment to MSU’s land-grant mission, including the university’s service to Montana students, families, communities and economic sectors.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.