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Chief Communications Officer
Marketing & Communication

Description

Gustavus seeks a talented and experienced Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to provide strategic leadership for institutional communications. The successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of how communications advances enrollment, strengthens reputation, and connects communities through a clear and compelling institutional voice.

How to apply: Continue here or visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ to complete the online application and submit a resume and cover letter.

Employment Status: Full-time (1.0 FTE), Exempt (Salaried), and Benefits-Eligible

- This position is primarily campus-based, with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement in alignment with institutional needs and leadership expectations.

Salary Range: $100,000-$120,000

JOB SUMMARY: The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) serves as the senior leader responsible for institutional communications strategy, messaging, and execution across internal and external audiences. Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, and a member of the President's Executive Leadership Team, the CCO ensures that Gustavus communicates with clarity, consistency, and purpose-strengthening trust, alignment, and engagement across campus and beyond.

The CCO serves as a co-leader within the Marketing & Communications division, working in close partnership with the Chief Marketing Officer to ensure that brand strategy and institutional communications are fully aligned and mutually reinforcing.

The CCO provides executive leadership for internal communications, media relations, editorial strategy, and communications operations. In close partnership with the CMO, the CCO translates institutional brand strategy and priorities into clear, coordinated, and timely communications that advance enrollment, reputation, and community connection.

The CCO ensures that communications at Gustavus are not only compelling in vision, but integrated, coordinated, and effective in execution.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Institutional Messaging & Voice

• Serve as the senior steward of Gustavus' institutional voice, tone, and narrative.
• Establish and uphold communications principles, editorial standards, and messaging frameworks across the College.
• Lead executive communications, including leadership messaging and high-visibility institutional narratives.

Internal Communications & Campus Alignment

• Lead internal communications strategy, ensuring timely, coordinated, and transparent messaging for faculty, staff, and students.
• Support major institutional initiatives, change communications, and campus-wide priorities.
• Build systems and processes that improve coordination, reduce fragmentation, and strengthen clarity.

Executive & Presidential Communications

• Partner with the President and Chief of Staff to support executive communications, including speeches, messaging, and high-visibility institutional narratives.
• Ensure presidential communications are aligned with institutional strategy, brand positioning, and key priorities.
• Provide strategic counsel on tone, timing, and audience alignment.

Media Relations & Reputation Management

• Lead media relations, public relations strategy, and external communications.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media.
• Oversee earned, owned, and shared media strategies, including story development and pitching.
• Serve as a key advisor during issues management, crisis communications, and reputational risk moments, in coordination with senior leadership.

Communications Operations & Execution

• Own communications workflow, prioritization, and project management across internal and external initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for communications staff and contracted partners.
• Ensure communications move efficiently from strategy to execution, with clear accountability and follow-through.
• Oversee KPI development, tracking, and reporting related to communications effectiveness.

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Marketing, Admission, Advancement, Alumni Relations, Student Life, Athletics, Fine Arts, and Academic Affairs to ensure aligned messaging.
• Collaborate with the CMO to ensure communications execution supports institutional brand and enrollment priorities.
• Align communications efforts with external partners and sponsors, as appropriate.

Direct Reports

• Editorial Lead / Writer
• Internal Communications & Media Relations Manager
• Others as assigned

Prerequisites

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, strategic communications, English, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing complex workflows, and advising senior leaders.

Leadership & Executive Counsel

• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor within a senior leadership structure.
• Strong institutional judgment, discretion, and ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics.
• Experience working collaboratively across divisions in a mission-driven organization.

Communications Expertise

• Exceptional writing and editing skills; proficiency in AP style.
• Experience with media relations, issues management, and reputation strategy.
• Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress).
• Experience with media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Meltwater, Muck Rack).
• Strong understanding of digital communications and the role of storytelling across channels.

Professional Skills

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Strategic mindset paired with operational execution.

How This Role Works in Partnership

The Chief Communications Officer partners closely with the Chief Marketing Officer in a shared leadership model to ensure that institutional strategy and brand direction are translated into communications that are clear, coordinated, and effective across all audiences.

The CCO focuses on message clarity, coordination, and execution, while working in close partnership with the CMO, who leads brand strategy, marketing, and audience engagement.

Gustavus Adolphus College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to that mission.

Gustavus offers competitive and comprehensive benefits which include:

• Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
• Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
• Onsite health services
• Free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities
• Paid parental leave
• Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
• Tuition scholarships for dependents
• Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse
• 13 paid Holidays + generous PTO plan

Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation's leading private liberal arts colleges serving approximately 1,800 students. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Known for its strong science, writing, music, athletics, study-away, and service-learning programs, Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota, only one hour southwest of the Twin Cities.


Contact

Kim Frisch | kfrisch@gustavus.edu | 507-933-7683


Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2026

To apply, visit https://gustavus.edu/employment/job/2395







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