Chief Communications Officer

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in communications, preferably in higher education. Proven ability to lead complex communication initiatives, manage multiple projects, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Strong strategic thinking, excellent writing and editing skills, and the ability to develop and implement effective communication strategies. Demonstrated experience in media relations, crisis management, and reputation management. Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks.
• Experience in crisis management and reputation management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• 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.

Pay

$100,000 - $120,000 annually

Schedule

Full-time (1.0 FTE), Exempt (Salaried)

Contact

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/7198300