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Senior Vice President of Brand & Institutional Growth

Senior Vice President of Brand & Institutional Growth

InsideHigherEdThousand Oaks, California, United States
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Senior Vice President of Brand & Institutional Growth

Position Category : Staff (Exempt)

FLSA : Exempt

FTE : 1

Location : Thousand Oaks

University Background :

The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person's dignity.

Basic Function :

Reporting to the President, the Senior Vice President of Brand & Institutional Growth provides visionary leadership to advance California Lutheran University's mission, visibility, reputation, fundraising, and enrollment goals. This innovative and forward-thinking leader integrates marketing expertise with strategic enrollment management and university advancement to drive revenue growth, student success, and long-term sustainability.

The SVP recruits and manages a highly trained professional staff; develops and manages the Enrollment Management, Marketing and Advancement budget and leads business development activities while actively engaging the Cal Lutheran faculty community and fostering cross-unit collaboration in the development and delivery of ideas and solutions. In support of the strategic direction of the university, the SVP is responsible for setting vision, developing and growing the business, and providing day-to-day leadership for the office and models and promotes larger university vision and values. The SVP must have a proven track record of developing business and managing strategic relationships while working in partnership with Cal Lutheran's largest and most critical clients with a student-first ethos.

Representative Duties :

Key Responsibilities and Desired Outcomes Chief among the leadership responsibilities of the SVP is the ability to lead strategically, financially, and operationally while possessing an adept ability to work with academic & functional leadership with awareness of real-time market trends and the ability to cultivate and manage stakeholder relationships. The SVP must be entrepreneurial, professional, self-starting, future-oriented and a true coalition builder who can draw students and revenue to the university.The SVP serves as the university-wide leader that fosters the growth of enrollment and revenue while building the identity and brand of Cal Lutheran. This role will help to generate new visibility, enthusiastic support, participation, and engagement with Cal Lutheran faculty & staff while building branding and reputation among business partners and industry leaders. The SVP directly manages a team of diverse personnel spanning enrollment management, marketing and advancement and works closely with the executive leadership team, faculty and staff across the university.The SVP identifies and cultivates business relationships while creating innovative solutions to address enrollment and revenue needs through market research and data analytics to develop and diversify revenue generation. This leader will measure effectiveness of enrollment and revenue programming to ensure quality and efficacy and will report out to university executive leadership on growth opportunities and financial performance.

Strategic Leadership

  • Serve as a senior advisor to the President and Cabinet on enrollment, marketing, and advancement strategies aligned with the University's mission and financial goals.
  • Develop, execute, and regularly update a multi-year strategic plan for enrollment, marketing, and advancement that supports institutional growth and financial sustainability.
  • Advise the President and Board of Regents on market trends, student demographics, and positioning in the higher education landscape.

Marketing & Communications

  • Direct the Marketing and Communications team to develop and execute compelling, data-informed strategies that enhance brand awareness and reputation locally, regionally, and nationally.
  • Design and deliver integrated marketing campaigns that highlight Cal Lutheran's distinctiveness, student outcomes, and core values.
  • Promote the full student experience to support recruitment, engagement, and retention.
  • Serve as brand steward, ensuring consistency and clarity of institutional messaging across all channels and audiences.
  • Enrollment Management

  • Lead the Enrollment Management division, overseeing recruitment, admissions, financial aid, enrollment systems, and analytics.
  • Manage student recruitment, admissions operations, and retention strategies across all academic modalities (student experience and academic advising) across undergraduate, graduate, professional, online.
  • Integrate data analytics and emerging digital tools to optimize enrollment outcomes and enhance decision-making.
  • Partner with Athletics and academic leadership to identify target populations and implement coordinated recruitment efforts.
  • Lead the Financial Aid team to align financial aid strategies with accessibility, net tuition revenue, and long-term planning.
  • University Advancement

  • Lead Advancement strategy to secure philanthropic support in alignment with Cal Lutheran's strategic priorities.
  • Design and implement strategic marketing and communication initiatives that inspire and equip Advancement staff to engage donors, alumni, community leaders, corporations, and foundations in support of fundraising goals.
  • Design and implement innovative fundraising campaigns, including principal and transformative gift strategies.
  • Provide strategic direction and collaboration to ensure Advancement operations-such as budgeting, compliance, donor stewardship, and gift processing-align with institutional priorities and messaging.
  • Establish metrics of success and accountability for advancement initiatives and fundraising performance.
  • Knowledge Of :

    Brand Strategy & Institutional Identity

  • Expertise in articulating and elevating the university's brand through cohesive storytelling, visual identity, and strategic messaging that reflect California Lutheran University's mission, vision, and values, aligning all communications with its Lutheran and faith-based heritage.
  • Strategic Marketing & Audience Engagement

  • Leadership in developing integrated marketing plans that drive awareness, reputation, and enrollment; tailoring campaigns to reach key audiences including prospective students, families, alumni, donors, and community stakeholders through inclusive, culturally responsive messaging.
  • Digital Communications & Data-Driven Strategy

  • Proficiency in leveraging CRM systems, digital media, social platforms, web content, and generative AI tools to expand reach and engagement; using analytics and performance metrics to inform decision-making and continuously improve communication effectiveness.
  • Reputation Management & Executive Communications

  • Skilled in leading crisis communication, media relations, and public affairs; experience preparing executive leaders for public speaking and media opportunities; ensuring consistency across internal and external channels to strengthen institutional credibility and visibility.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

  • Proven ability to lead and inspire marketing and communications teams, collaborate across departments, and integrate brand strategy into advancement, enrollment, academics, and student life, aligning communications with broader institutional goals and strategic planning.
  • Ability To :

    Results-Driven Execution & Innovation

  • Deliver measurable outcomes through bold, creative, and strategic actions; foster innovation while maintaining a focus on collaboration and shared success; implement data-informed imperatives across diverse leadership levels.
  • Strategic Visioning & Enrollment Leadership

  • Develop and execute comprehensive strategic enrollment and brand plans aligned with institutional goals; identify key issues and lead data-informed responses to market trends, demographics, regulations, and student needs.
  • Marketing, Communications & Public Representation

  • Lead digital marketing, brand development, and crisis communications; compellingly represent the university to internal and external audiences; communicate a clear, distinctive vision to inspire action and alignment.
  • Collaborative Leadership & Team Development

  • Build and motivate cross-functional, creative teams; cultivate a leadership style that is transparent, inclusive, collegial, and mission-driven; empower others through accessible, entrepreneurial, and visionary leadership.
  • Fundraising & Institutional Advancement

  • Collaborate with university leadership and stakeholders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals; lead complex gift strategies and secure high-impact philanthropic support; drive campaigns with strategic negotiations and donor engagement.
  • Minimum Qualifications :

    Any combination equivalent to : Master's degree, preferred in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field and a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated leadership success with required expertise in marketing, along with experience in one or more of the following : sales, customer relations, enrollment management, fundraising, or public relations.

    At least five years in a senior leadership role within higher education or another complex organizational environment where customer service is a primary driver of revenue.

    Preferred Qualifications :

  • Innovative mindset with the ability to embrace and implement new technologies, and marketing and communication platforms.
  • Higher Education leadership experience
  • An advanced degree or a combination of education and substantial, relevant professional experience in a closely related field will be considered.
  • Licenses and Other Requirements :

    N.A.

    Physical Abilities :

    Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate to exchange information in person, in writing, on the telephone and by email; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and / or retrieve file.

    Working Environment :

    Indoor and public engagement environment; travel

    Hiring Range $250,000 - $275,000

    Posting Number : Staff004632022

    Open Date : 10 / 27 / 2025

    Close Date : 11 / 23 / 2025

    Application Procedure / Special Instructions

    To apply, visit https : / / careers.callutheran.edu / postings / 12801

    California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University's policies, procedures, and processes.

    Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.

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    Vice President Brand • Thousand Oaks, California, United States