Assistant/Associate Vice President of Communications and Marketing (M3 Career Level, Exempt)

Job Summary

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa, and is ranked #11 on the U.

S. News and World Report’s list of Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Grinnell College is a top-ranked Liberal Arts institution that values diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility.

We seek candidates who align with these values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and belonging within our community and the communities we engage.

Ideal candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the mission and values of the college across all constituencies.

POSITION SUMMARY We are seeking a dynamic and energetic Associate Vice President (AVP) to be a critical part of the leadership team for the Division of Communications and Marketing.

This is your opportunity to work with stakeholders across campus and in the broader alumni and Grinnell communities to shape and enhance our brand, voice, and content strategy, propelling Grinnell College toward its strategic priorities and mission.

In this exciting leadership role, the AVP will :

Inspire and Lead : Serve as a player-coach on a highly collaborative team of communications and marketing experts, including highly-qualified directors of internal communications and digital strategy and a creative team of writers, designers, and visual communicators.

Together, you’ll steward the Grinnell College brand and manage our institutional content strategy and calendar.

• Drive Strategic Marketing : Develop and oversee comprehensive marketing and communications strategies. Your efforts will be based on a shared understanding of brand positioning, visual presentation, voice, objectives, audiences, and communication channels.
• Elevate Brand Awareness : Lead initiatives that boost the awareness, consideration, and impact of the Grinnell College brand.

Collaborate with campus communicators and external relations professionals to ensure our message resonates far and wide.

Execute Content Strategy : Oversee the creation, implementation, and measurement of the College’s annual content calendar and strategy.

Your leadership will ensure our content is timely, relevant, and aligned with our strategic goals.

• Support Campus Partners : Partner with directors and the outstanding teams from Enrollment, Development, Alumni, and Community Relations to support implementation of the College’s strategic plan.
• Optimize Performance : Collaborate with the Director of Digital Strategy to refine, manage, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Continuously adjust strategies to ensure maximum impact and success.

• Foster Professional Growth : Identify and create professional development plans for your direct reports and the broader communications and marketing team to cultivate a culture of growth and excellence.
• Ensure Effective and Efficient Operations : Oversee the department’s operations, prioritize and coordinate projects, and ensure seamless communication with on-campus partners.

Supervise administrative staff and assist with budget management, reports, summaries, and metrics for the President, Trustees, and Senior Leadership.

Be a Campus Hero : Step in when needed to fill essential positions during weather or other campus emergencies, or events requiring special staffing.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Environment : Be part of a forward-thinking institution that values creativity and innovation.
• Collaborative Culture : Work with a supportive team dedicated to excellence and collaboration.
• Impactful Role : Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Grinnell College and making a difference in the lives of students, faculty, and alumni.

Key Responsibilities

• Brand Strategy Oversight including tracking, development, and management of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Leadership and Oversight of the Department’s project management function and the College’s institutional content strategy and calendar
• Support the Director of Digital Strategy’s leadership and collaboration with the Enrollment Marketing team to produce world-class admissions communications throughout the enrollment lifecycle
• Serve as the primary marketing and communications strategist working in partnership with Development and Alumni Relations to foster alumni and donor engagement
• Collaborate to create professional development opportunities for direct reports and the broader team

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Communications, English, Marketing, Development or related fields
• Five years or more relevant work experience (Assistant)
• Seven years or more relevant work experience (Associate)
• Demonstrated direct experience in content strategy, execution and metrics
• Understanding of brand positioning and metrics related to brand strength
• Champion for Diversity Equity and Inclusion
• Ability to work individually as well as collaboratively
• Experience being both a thought partner and mentor to a communication team
• Aptitude leading a team in an operations capacity

Preferred Qualifications

• MA, MBA or MPA preferred
• Experience in higher education

Link to Job Description Link to Organizational Chart FLSA Category Exempt Staff / Faculty Staff