Chief Marketing

Appalachian State University; Boone (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Appalachian State University seeks a Chief Marketing & Communications Officer to lead University Communications, shaping strategic marketing and communications across the campus. The role steers crises, digital engagement, and brand management while aligning messaging with institutional priorities.

The role requires senior leadership experience, a strong background in both creative and strategic communications, and proven ability to manage large, multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public affairs, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee University Communications, guide strategies that strengthen App State's brand and reputation.
• Provide leadership for crisis and executive communications, digital engagement, and internal communications.
• Direct university-wide marketing and communications planning in support of institutional priorities.
• Oversee the development and management of the university's brand across channels and units.
• Lead communications planning and response for significant issues and crises.

Job description

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Department: University Communications - 540000

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism,public affairs, or a related field; advanced degree (Master's orMBA) strongly preferred.
• Minimum 12-15 years of progressively senior marketing andcommunications experience, with demonstrable leadership at theexecutive or near-executive level.
• Proven cross-sector experience: substantial track record inboth commercial/corporate environments AND public, government, ormission-driven institutional settings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop large,multi-disciplinary teams of creative and strategicprofessionals.
• Significant experience bridging creative and strategyfunctions.
• Proven crisis communications experience with demonstrablejudgement under pressure.
• Fluency in digital marketing tools, analytics platforms, andcontent management systems at a strategic and supervisorylevel.
• Meaningful, hands‑on experience with AI tools in a professionalcommunications or marketing context, including generative AI forcontent, image, or workflow applications, and the ability to setstrategic direction and policy for their use.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and visual communication skills;persuasive presenter to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in higher education, healthcare, government,or other publicly accountable institutional environments.
• Experience managing communications through political orlegislative scrutiny, including testimony, FOIA/open-records, orpublic accountability processes.
• Familiarity with enrollment marketing, alumni engagement, anddevelopment/fundraising communications.
• Track record of successful brand repositioning, institutionalreputation management, or multi-year strategic communicationscampaigns.
• Experience with marketing technology stack assessment andprocurement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The CMCO will oversee University Communications, guide strategiesthat strengthen App State's brand and reputation, and fostercollaboration across the university to advance institutionalpriorities. The role also provides leadership for crisis andexecutive communications, digital engagement, creative services,internal communications, and emerging technologies.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Provide strategic communications and marketing counsel to theChancellor, Cabinet, and university leadership.
• Direct university-wide marketing and communications planning insupport of institutional priorities.
• Oversee the development and management of App State's brandacross channels, audiences, and university units.
• Guide creative, digital, media, and internal communicationsstrategies and establish expectations for quality andconsistency.
• Strengthen coordination among communicators across colleges,divisions, departments, and campuses.
• Lead communications planning and response for significantinstitutional issues, major announcements, and crises.
• Use research, analytics, and audience insights to informstrategy, evaluate effectiveness, and guide investment.
• Oversee external agencies, vendors, partnerships, and resourcessupporting university marketing and communications.
• Recruit, develop, and support a talented multidisciplinary teamwhile fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including artificialintelligence, and establish responsible approaches to their use inuniversity communications.

Work Schedule/Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00-5:00pm

Suggested Salary Range: Salary is commensurate witheducation and experience.

Open Until Filled: Yes

Evaluation of Applications Begins: 10/13/2026

Appalachian State University is an Aff... The University does not discriminate inaccess to its educational programs and activities, or with respectto hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basisof race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity andexpression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status,genetic information or sexual orientation.