Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO)

Established in 1887 as a school for the education of American Indians, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke serves a distinctly diverse student body and encourages inclusion and appreciation of the values of all people. Located in the heart of Pembroke, N.C., UNCP boasts an enrollment of 8,200 in 41 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs and offers a personalized learning environment where faculty and staff are dedicated to engaged scholarship, high academic standards, creative activity and public service. Spread over 281 acres, the campus offers a sense of community and belonging-–a place where faculty and staff feel supported, take pride in the university’s mission, and are devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference in their communities.

The Executive Director of University Communications and Marketing (Chief Communications & Marketing Officer or CCMO) is responsible for overall communications, research-based messaging, marketing and branding activity for the university in addition to the support and service functions of Givens Performing Arts Center and print services. The CCMO serves as the university’s chief communications and marketing officer and is a key member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet offering advice and support on key issues and strategic initiatives. The CCMO represents and promotes the university, increasing its visibility in support of the institution’s mission, vision, values and goals. The CCMO leads the development and implementation of the university’s brand vision, strategy, and public relations campaigns to attract the best students, motivate alumni and donors and recruit high quality faculty and staff. The incumbent will stay abreast of issues in higher education, in North Carolina that may impact the university to provide guidance and recommendations for strategic communications messaging.

Leadership Responsibility The CCMO leads a team of talented communications and marketing professionals that cover a range of services to the university community in the areas of internal communications, community relations, media relations, strategic communications, marketing, integrated communications, web and digital communications, advertising, creative services, brand management, executive communications, print services and performing arts.

The Role  The incumbent will have overall responsibility for providing direction and guidance in the areas of responsibility. Plans, assigns, and evaluates the work of professional and support staff for effective operation and measurable results. The CCMO is responsible for making recommendations when appropriate in the areas of compensation, staff selection, disciplinary action, complaints, staff performance appraisal and similar supervisory duties for direct reports and team members. 

The selected candidate will be able to effectively perform the following responsibilities:   ●      Provide leadership and vision for the university’s strategic and integrated marketing and communications functions. ●      Lead and direct the marketing, communications and public relations staff and coordinate at the strategic and tactical levels with all university departments. ●      Support the preparation of internal and external correspondence on behalf of the Office of the Chancellor for distribution to target audiences. ●      Research and develop communications materials to support university messaging goals including speeches, talking points and background information for media interviews and speaking engagements as designated. ●      Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term and proactive university-wide communications, marketing, and branding strategy consistent with the strategic goals, plans, and aspirations of the university. ●      Design marketing and branding, online engagement, and other social media presence, press/media relations and team development and management strategies that enhance institutional identity, academic reputation and goals for enrollment of students, fundraising and community involvement. ●      Create a collegial, team-building work environment, motivating staff, and cultivating productive, collaborative relationships with all constituent groups. ●      Utilizing a research-based approach to identify key messages and audiences, works consistently to tell the university’s story creating a consistent, unified message in support of the UNCP brand. ●      Identify situations requiring immediate media and/or public response and responsible for crisis communication planning, serving as university spokesperson as necessary. ●      Plan and oversee the design and production of all marketing, public relations, and advertising products. ●      Ensure effective and efficient operation of the major units in University Communications & Marketing by coordinating unit plans, goals, and objectives, designing systems of effective controls to guide work toward expected outcomes, and evaluating progress towards their accomplishment. Ensuring all goals and objectives align with the university’s strategic plan. ●      Coordinate synergies between print material, web presence and social media. ●      Develop, execute and oversee programs necessary to communicate the university’s mission and performance to the public.  ●      Communicate the university’s position and policies on a variety of issues to specific media and to various university constituencies, which includes serving as the university spokesperson with the media as appropriate. ●      Ensures a fiscally sound operation of UCM by exercising management practices and fiscally responsible activities. ●      Facilitate a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. ●      Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as available. ●      Contributes to the overall success of the university by performing all other duties as assigned.  The selected candidate will be able to effectively perform the following responsibilities:   ●      Provide leadership and vision for the university’s strategic and integrated marketing and communications functions. ●      Lead and direct the marketing, communications and public relations staff and coordinate at the strategic and tactical levels with all university departments. ●      Support the preparation of internal and external correspondence on behalf of the Office of the Chancellor for distribution to target audiences. ●      Research and develop communications materials to support university messaging goals including speeches, talking points and background information for media interviews and speaking engagements as designated. ●      Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term and proactive university-wide communications, marketing, and branding strategy consistent with the strategic goals, plans, and aspirations of the university. ●      Design marketing and branding, online engagement, and other social media presence, press/media relations and team development and management strategies that enhance institutional identity, academic reputation and goals for enrollment of students, fundraising and community involvement. ●      Create a collegial, team-building work environment, motivating staff, and cultivating productive, collaborative relationships with all constituent groups. ●      Utilizing a research-based approach to identify key messages and audiences, works consistently to tell the university’s story creating a consistent, unified message in support of the UNCP brand. ●      Identify situations requiring immediate media and/or public response and responsible for crisis communication planning, serving as university spokesperson as necessary. ●      Plan and oversee the design and production of all marketing, public relations, and advertising products. ●      Ensure effective and efficient operation of the major units in University Communications & Marketing by coordinating unit plans, goals, and objectives, designing systems of effective controls to guide work toward expected outcomes, and evaluating progress towards their accomplishment. Ensuring all goals and objectives align with the university’s strategic plan. ●      Coordinate synergies between print material, web presence and social media. ●      Develop, execute and oversee programs necessary to communicate the university’s mission and performance to the public.  ●      Communicate the university’s position and policies on a variety of issues to specific media and to various university constituencies, which includes serving as the university spokesperson with the media as appropriate. ●      Ensures a fiscally sound operation of UCM by exercising management practices and fiscally responsible activities. ●      Facilitate a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. ●      Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as available. ●      Contributes to the overall success of the university by performing all other duties as assigned.   Core Competencies

●      Knowledge of the principles, practices and methodologies of communications, public/media relations and executive communications. ●      Strong ability to write speeches and/or articles of interest to a wide variety of publics for consumption by local and national as well as international print and electronic media. ●      Expertise in making presentations, pitches and negotiating with the media. ●      Ability to think critically and secure information needed to develop communications materials for the university. ●      Excellent oral and written communication skills including expertise in writing and editing an assortment of communications materials. ●      Excellent leadership skills with ability to perform duties with tact, decorum and diplomacy. ●      Excellent decision-making skills with ability to think conceptually, analytically and to remain focused on goals and objectives. ●      Ability to develop and implement strategic communications and research-based marketing plans. ●      Ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and data to effectively identify solutions in a fast-paced environment.  ●      Ability to identify unique needs of audiences and formulate communications and marketing plans that effectively meet their needs and communicate the value of the university. ●      Ability to be flexible, responsive to change, use good judgment, make sound decisions that demonstrate ability to forecast issues and use good problem-solving skills. ●      Ability to write effective, persuasive speeches containing accurate, appealing information.
●      Ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative work relations with students, faculty, staff, university officials and the general public. ●      A commitment to working with multicultural populations and an awareness of issues affecting minorities and ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

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https://indd.adobe.com/view/5627dd73-0446-49cd-b58e-77c7d42ac090 

This position is designated as Mandatory Personnel:  Mandatory Employees: Employees whose presence has been determined to be mandatory to University operations during certain types of adverse weather or emergency events.   Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:  Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations or closely related field and seven years of experience managing a marketing and communications program in a complex, fast-paced organization and three years experience leading a team.   Management Preference:  Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public/Media Relations, English, Business or closely related field with a record of success in progressively responsible positions and seven years experience in higher education.   Special Instructions to Applicants:  This position is subject to the successful completion of an employment background check. An employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, reference checks, license verification (if applicable) and credit history check (if applicable). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 as a part of the online application process. UNC Pembroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

The University prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their age, race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. UNC Pembroke is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.