Chief Communications Officer

As the College of Liberal Arts’ chief communications officer (CCO), you’ll lead a talented team in crafting a comprehensive, integrated marketing communications strategy that amplifies the college’s awareness, understanding, engagement, and impact across Minnesota, the nation, and around the world.

As a key advisor to the dean and collegiate leadership, you’ll develop innovative marketing communication strategies to highlight the groundbreaking research, world‑class faculty, and extraordinary students who make the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) a global leader in liberal arts education.

Contact Brad Earney at earne
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The University of Minnesota System is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, with offerings to meet the interests of every student and the changing needs of our society. We’re proud of our land‑grant mission of world‑class education, groundbreaking research, and our commitment to partnering with communities in our drive to serve Minnesota.

This position calls for a leader who blends strategic insight with strong analytical skills, partnering with collegiate offices and University Marketing Communications to bridge silos, enhance the flow of information, and ensure a consistent narrative across all platforms.

The CCO serves as the college’s lead brand and identity architect, responsible for developing and successfully implementing strategies that position CLA with internal and external stakeholders. Primary responsibilities include:

• Leading a talented marketing communications team
• Fostering a culture of trust
• Reimagining how our internal and external communications can drive CLA’s mission forward

The CCO will act as a catalyst for change by assessing and integrating collegiate marketing communications operations, aligning resources with strategy, and cultivating a high‑performing, unified team. The CCO will develop and execute an integrated marketing communications strategy that aligns and supports the University’s brand, communications, and enrollment marketing strategies. In addition, the brand will drive external engagement, student recruitment, and donor, alumni, and external partner engagement.

Key focus areas include:

• Developing and implementing a collegiate internal and leadership communications plan that aligns with the CLA’s long‑term strategic goals
• Using analytics to guide decision‑making
• Ensuring that communication strategies serve the broader collegiate and University vision, mission, and strategic roadmap

1. College identity and brand strategy planning:

• Create and lead a bold, college‑wide communications and marketing vision and strategy that elevates CLA’s brand, defines its competitive advantage, strengthens its reputation, and drives meaningful engagement across audiences.
• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy to introduce the college’s new strategic plan to internal and external stakeholders. That strategy will include development of a CLA brand and marketing communications strategy. The strategy will champion the value of a University of Minnesota liberal arts education and showcase the college’s academic excellence, achievements, and future direction. Key performance indicators include advancing enrollment growth, fundraising success, talent recruitment and retention, and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with collegiate offices and the dean's cabinet to promote the CLA's academic programs, research, and major events to diverse audiences, including prospective students, alumni, benefactors, and external stakeholders.

2. Strategic enrollment marketing communications planning:

• Partner with the chief student success officer and University Marketing Communications to translate recruitment and enrollment goals into tailored, high‑impact marketing communication strategies.
• Leverage collegiate and University marketing communications capabilities, resources, and methods to articulate the unique value proposition of CLA to prospective students and families.

3. Research and impact positioning:

• Collaborate with the associate dean for research, the…