The Executive Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the University’s chief marketing and communications officer and a member of the Executive Cabinet. This executive leadership role is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing, branding, communications, and public relations strategies that strengthen the University’s reputation and support enrollment growth.
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for the University’s marketing and communications operations, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all internal and external platforms. The position serves as the University’s primary spokesperson and leads media relations, executive communications, strategic planning, public affairs, and crisis communications efforts.
Working collaboratively with Enrollment Management, Admissions, Academic Affairs, Advancement, and other university leaders, the Executive Director develops data-informed marketing strategies that increase visibility, engagement, student recruitment, and retention. The position works directly with the Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications to help oversee the University’s brand identity, digital presence, advertising, publications, and external communications while representing the institution to media, community partners, government agencies, alumni, donors and other stakeholders.
Saint Martin’s University is more than just a place of learning—it’s a welcoming community where students, faculty, and staff come together with purpose and heart. Founded in 1895 by the Benedictine monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey, we are grounded in the timeless Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and balance. These values, combined with a Saint Martin’s liberal arts education, shape our approach to education and daily life, encouraging students to think deeply, act with compassion, and serve with purpose.
As part of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we honor the integration of faith and reason, the dignity of every person, and a shared responsibility for the common good. Our mission is to form graduates who are not only intellectually curious and ethically grounded, but also deeply committed to building a more just and equitable world. At Saint Martin’s, we care about the whole person.
Our supportive campus culture is built to help students thrive—academically, personally, and professionally. We pay special attention to the needs of those who have been historically underserved, and we work intentionally to create an inclusive, respectful, and compassionate environment for all.
We warmly invite mission-driven individuals to join our community—not just to work here, but to be part of something meaningful. Together, we educate students who go on to make a positive difference in their lives, their communities, and the world.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following.
MISSION & STRATEGIC PLANNING
As the University’s chief spokesperson and ambassador of the institutional brand, the Executive Director of Marketing & Communications ensures the University’s mission, vision, and values are consistently reflected across all communications, publications, digital platforms, and public engagement efforts.
The Executive Director leads the development and execution of integrated, data-informed marketing and communications strategies that support institutional priorities and enrollment growth, including initiatives focused on recruitment, retention, visibility, and community engagement. Working collaboratively with university leadership, campus partners, and external organizations, the position oversees branding, messaging, digital marketing, media relations, publications, events, and strategic communications while utilizing market research, analytics, and emerging trends to strengthen institutional reputation and marketing effectiveness.
Leadership & Team Management
- Provide visionary leadership for the University’s marketing & communications office, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented culture aligned with institutional priorities and enrollment goals.
- Lead, mentor, and develop marketing and communications staff, including directors, managers, and support personnel, ensuring accountability, professional growth, and operational excellence.
- Establish clear performance expectations, evaluate outcomes, and implement strategies that enhance team effectiveness, innovation, and productivity.
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, performance management, and succession planning for departmental staff.
- Manage departmental operations, budgets, workflows, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective execution of strategic initiatives.
- Promote continuous improvement and professional development within the marketing and communications team.
Strategic Marketing & Enrollment Growth
- Serve as the University’s chief marketing strategist, leading the development and execution of integrated marketing and branding initiatives designed to strengthen institutional reputation and drive enrollment growth.
- Partner closely with Enrollment Management, Admissions, Academic Affairs, and University leadership to develop data-informed marketing strategies that support recruitment, retention, and student engagement goals.
- Lead the creation of comprehensive, multi-channel marketing campaigns that increase awareness, inquiries, applications, and enrollment conversion rates across undergraduate, graduate, online, and continuing education programs.
- Utilize market research, analytics, audience insights, and emerging trends to guide strategic decision-making and optimize marketing performance.
- Ensure consistent institutional branding and messaging across all university communications, digital platforms, advertising, publications, and outreach efforts.
Communications & Public Relations
- Serve as the University’s senior communications leader and official spokesperson, representing the institution in interactions with media, community partners, government agencies, and external stakeholders.
- Develop and implement proactive public relations and communications strategies that enhance the University’s visibility, reputation, and public engagement.
- Oversee media relations, executive communications, public messaging, speechwriting, and institutional storytelling across all channels.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to advance institutional priorities and visibility.
Crisis Communications & Reputation Management
- Lead the University’s crisis communications planning and response efforts, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated communications during emergencies or reputational challenges.
- Advise executive leadership on communications strategy related to sensitive issues, institutional risks, and high-profile matters.
- Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols, messaging frameworks, and media response strategies across all communication platforms.
- Ensure consistency, transparency, and professionalism in all external and internal crisis communications.
Institutional Leadership
- Serve as a member of the University’s executive leadership team, contributing strategic insight and leadership in support of the institution’s mission, vision, and long-term priorities.
- Collaborate across divisions to align marketing and communications initiatives with institutional strategic planning and enrollment objectives.
- Represent the University at institutional, community, and professional events as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the University’s mission and strategic goals.
COMPETENCIES
- Commitment to supporting the University’s Catholic and Benedictine values, mission, vision, and student-centered educational philosophy.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic marketing and communications initiatives that support institutional visibility, brand advancement, and enrollment growth.
- Strong knowledge of integrated marketing strategies, including digital marketing, content marketing, SEO/SEM, social media, email marketing, paid advertising, and audience engagement.
- Experience utilizing data analytics, market research, enrollment trends, and campaign performance metrics to inform strategic decision-making and optimize marketing effectiveness.
- Ability to lead institution-wide branding and messaging initiatives while ensuring consistency across digital, print, media, and public-facing communications.
- Strong understanding of website strategy, user experience (UX), content governance, accessibility standards, and digital engagement best practices in higher education.
- Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications, media relations, and reputation management in a complex organizational environment.
- Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and public presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including media, students, families, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and community partners.
- Ability to serve as a confident and credible spokesperson representing the University in public, media, and community settings.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across divisions and build strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to mentor staff, manage multiple priorities, and foster a collaborative and results-oriented work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, budgets, timelines, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of current and emerging trends in higher education marketing, enrollment communications, digital engagement, and brand strategy.
Proficiency with marketing technologies, content management systems, CRM platforms, analytics tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
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REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Master’s degree with a major in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, business administration, or a related field is required. Masters preferred.
- At least five years of experience in marketing and/or communications in one or more of the following settings: education, not-for-profit, government, business and/or industry, preferably in higher education.
- Ability to articulate and eagerness to champion the unique and distinctive character of working at a Catholic institution.
- Management experience in staff development, budgeting, research, and customer service is required.
- The scope of the job frequently requires attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, and seminars. Frequent travel is required.
- Experience supervising staff and building successful teams.
- Successfully pass a criminal background check.
