Chief Marketing Officer (Providence)

Job Summary:

The Chief Marketing Officer ( CMO ) at the Community College of Rhode Island is a newly created executive leadership role responsible for building and stewarding the institution's brand, reputation, and strategic communications at the highest level. Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CMO will lead a modem, data-informed marketing and communications enterprise that advances CCRI's mission, expands enrollment and student engagement, and elevates the college's visibility and impact across Rhode Island and beyond.
The CMO will bring vision, creativity, and strategic acumen to develop a bold and cohesive marketing strategy that reaches diverse audiences, including prospective and current students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, policy makers, and community partners. This executive will be CCRI's chief brand steward, storyteller, and architect of its public presence-ensuring that all messaging and materials align with the college's values and voice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Brand Leadership

• Define and execute an institution-wide marketing and communications strategy aligned with CCRI's strategic goals, enrollment priorities, and student success initiatives.
• Build and steward a compelling, authentic, and consistent CCRI brand that inspires trust and reflects the college's commitment to access, equity, innovation, and workforce alignment.

Integrated Marketing and Communications

• Lead development and execution of multichannel marketing campaigns that drive enrollment, student retention, donor engagement, and community awareness.
• Oversee paid media strategy across digital, print, radio, streaming, and out-of-home channels, ensuring campaigns are cost-effective, targeted, and impactful.
• Build a high-performing marketing function that leverages best practices in market research, segmentation, SEO/SEM, and content strategy to reach and engage key audiences.
• Partner with Enrollment Services and Workforce Partnerships to create compelling campaigns tailored to adult learners, recent high school graduates, and career changers.
• Establish clear KPIs for all campaigns and continuously optimize through A/B testing, audience analytics, and data-driven decision making.
• Ensure consistent visual and verbal identity across all advertising and promotional materials, aligning with institutional brand standards.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for earned media and public visibility that elevate CCRI's reputation as a leader in access, workforce development, and student success.
• Oversee media relations, advertising, design, web, social media, and content strategy across the college.
• Develop internal communications strategies to foster engagement and transparency.

Team Leadership

• Lead the college's Marketing and Communications department into a high-performing, creative, and service-oriented team.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability, mentoring team members and expanding capabilities through professional development and resource planning.
• Manage vendor relationships, budgets, and creative partnerships to ensure quality and alignment with institutional goals.

Crisis and Executive Communications

• Serve as the college's primary spokesperson and strategic lead on crisis communications.
• Guide executive messaging with clarity, consistency, and alignment to institutional voice and tone.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Demonstrated progressive experience in marketing, advertising, communications, and brand leadership, including at least five years in a senior/executive role.
• Demonstrated success in leading institutional branding, strategic campaigns, and high-level communications in a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Proven ability to lead integrated digital marketing strategies and data-informed enrollment communications.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
• Deep understanding of the higher education landscape, including community college missions and student populations.

Competencies:

• Master's degree
• Experience working within a fast-paced, competitive marketplace with a focus on access, equity, and workforce alignment.
• Experience leading brand transformations or marketing innovation initiatives.
• Experience with best-in-class tools for marketing analytics, customer relationship management (CRM), and digital engagement.

Campus Location: Primarily located at the Warwick Campus

Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time

Salary Range: Anticipated starting salary based on experience: $130,000-$150,000

Special Instructions to Applicants:

If attaching a resume complete with education history and/or employment history, please
disregard these sections within the online application.

Finalists may be required to provide official college transcripts.

EEO Statement:

CCRI prohibits students, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors (collectively,