Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications and Brand Marketing

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education.

We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications and Brand Marketing .

The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans;

a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $24,167 per month, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The salary range for this classification is $9,167 to $29,425 per month.

Classification

Administrator IV

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications and Brand Marketing to serve as chief strategist and creative executive leading efforts to advance positive public perceptions of the California State University.

The California State University is the nation’s most diverse four-year university ethnically, economically, and academically.

This purpose-driven leader will collaborate fairly and earnestly to effectively complement the unique 23-university brands with unifying strategies that elevate the system as a whole.

The Associate Vice Chancellor reports to the Vice Chancellor, External Relations and Communications and serves as an advisor on the Chancellor’s executive leadership team.

Collectively, the leadership team advances the mission of the CSU and set priorities for improving student success, achieving academic excellence, and escalating economic and social mobility.

The California State University provides graduates with career-ready skills to thrive individually and contribute to the success of their communities and the State of California.

Leading a team of professionals at the Chancellor’s Office, the Associate Vice Chancellor will foster a working environment dedicated to customer service, collaboration, and support.

The Associate Vice Chancellor will be responsible for elevating the quality and effectiveness of internal and external communication, marketing, and public relations in support of the university brand and mission.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Vice Chancellor, External Relations and Communications , the Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications and Brand Marketing will :

Advise the Vice Chancellor and executive leadership team to help modernize the CSU vision, mission, goals, objectives, and brand messaging.

Regularly report key performance indicators and present findings for strategic planning purposes.

• Amplify the unique identity and culture of each of the 23 universities while showcasing their common interests, strengths, and contributions.
• Define and communicate the CSU’s common brand propositions across its 23 universities to elevate the system’s brand positioning.
• Serve as a catalyst for new programmatic ideas and the development of long-term strategies that advance the CSU’s mission and influence critical decision makers at the highest levels.
• Develop and oversee the execution of integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring alignment with CSU brand strategies, goals, and objectives.
• Champion the use of data-driven insights to guide creative decisions and optimize campaign performance.
• Monitor and evaluate campaign results, using analytical insights to inform future strategies and improvements.
• Ensure an effective strategic communications plan to ensure consistent and impactful messaging both externally and internally.
• Oversee external communications efforts, including media relations, public relations campaigns, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Foster effective inter-communication efforts between the CSU’s 23 universities to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
• Provide strategic direction to drive the CSU's digital presence, including websites, apps, and social media platforms.
• Ensure marketing campaigns effectively engage target audiences and drive brand awareness, traffic, and conversion.
• Stay informed about emerging digital trends and technologies in addition to consistently incorporating innovative strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
• Establish a robust research and analytics framework to evaluate brand performance, stakeholder and constituent insights, and market trends.
• Utilize data-driven analyses to inform strategic decision-making and identify opportunities for the CSU brand growth and optimization.
• Collaborate with research teams to conduct market intelligence, competitor analysis, and constituent segmentation studies.

Qualifications

This position requires :

• A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a closely related discipline is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, journalism, communications, or marketing positions, with at least 3 years of management experience is required.
• Supervisory experience.
• An innovative and inspiring leader with a highly accessible and approachable management style that values collegiality and collaboration in the development of new ideas.
• Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to address with sensitivity different audiences within and outside of the CSU.
• Proven expertise in brand marketing or strategic communications; preferably within a multi-brand organization.
• High-level, comprehensive strategic planning skills; preferably experience developing, articulating, and implementing a strategic vision within a complex institutional environment.
• A forward-thinking, collaborative, and strategic minded executive poised to streamline processes, reduce redundancy, and increase cross-unit collaboration with a focus on continuous improvement.
• A record of success in building highly effective teams and developing and retaining exceptional staff.
• Demonstrated evidence of effective leadership, interpersonal, writing, presentation, communication, and organization skills.
• Ability to multitask and work easily with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Sophisticated leadership abilities to establish department goals and motivate and influence others to achieve.
• Advanced knowledge of organizational processes, protocols and procedures.
• Excellent consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and to advise campus leadership on highly sensitive issues.
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with a wide variety of individuals and constituent groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree or terminal degree in a related area is preferred.
• Experience in higher education is preferred.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically; preferred demonstrated experience advancing and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by March 1, 2024 . Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

Please submit your resume / CV along with a substantive cover letter describing your experience as it relates to the position.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at :

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, .

Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the , it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent.

Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700 : Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022, the prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.