Job Summary
The Vice President of Marketing & Communication develops and implements the long-term marketing, communication and branding vision and strategy for the college through a variety of channels and for multiple internal and external audiences. As the College’s chief marketing and communication officer, this position will serve a vital role in increasing brand awareness, program enrollments and community engagement so that Millsaps can attract the best students, motivate alumni and donors and recruit high quality faculty and staff. The ideal candidate is a creative, solutions-focused team player who is highly collaborative and is a proactive self-starter. Responsibilities include planning, developing and implementing all College marketing strategies, public relations and advertising, including oversight of the marketing and communications team. The Vice President provides strategic direction and coordinates marketing and communication produced by all major areas of the college, with particular emphasis on the Office of Admission and the Office of Institutional Advancement and with special focus on digital marketing channels.
This position is a member of the Executive Staff and will serve a vital leadership role on campus. Qualified candidates at the Director level will also be considered.
Job Duties
- Drive comprehensive, proactive, short- and long-term marketing plans and campaigns for the college that include marketing tactics, strategies, audience(s), budgets and timelines
- Serve as the College’s brand manager, building brand consistency across all external marketing channels and internal sub-brands, ensuring that all messaging is consistent and cohesive across all major divisions and programs and to all constituent groups
- In conjunction with the Office of Marketing and Communication team, facilitate and execute all marketing campaign tactics, including traditional, print and digital
- Utilize a research-based approach to identify key messages and audiences and to execute appropriate marketing campaigns for each target audience group
- Implement marketing campaigns through digital channels including social media, search engines and potential programmatic display
- Direct and oversee the relationship and outputs of third-party marketing agency partnerships and hold them accountable to meet KPIs, uphold brand standards, and implement content strategy
- Optimize campaigns by properly setting up audiences, copy, design and budget
- Communicate with executive leadership to keep marketing projects aligned with strategic goals
- Set up custom tracking for campaigns through Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics
- Analyze campaign analytics, performance data and KPIs
- Source and submit print and online advertising
- Create a collegial, customer service-oriented work environment, motivating staff and cultivating productive, results-driven, collaborative relationships with all constituent groups
- Facilitate a work environment that encourages respect for and inclusion of all community members, with particular emphasis on a commitment to issues affecting minority groups and by developing skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds
- Contribute to the overall success of the College by performing other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 7-10 years of marketing experience in a professional setting
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communication, public relations or business administration, or an equivalent mix of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred. Demonstrated success in both traditional and digital marketing and measurement
- Exceptional writing, interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate with internal and external clients
- Demonstrated experience directing a variety of integrated creative projects, including branding, websites, social media, video, print, email, and digital advertising, across both creative and content elements
- At least three (3) years of successful experience managing staff, resources and budgets while working on multiple projects and managing deadlines
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks while appropriately prioritizing workload based on the college’s needs
- CMS (i.e. WordPress) and CRM (Slate, Salesforce) experience preferred
- Demonstrated professional experience working with Google Ads, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, and/or similar tools
- Demonstrated professional experience creating, managing, tracking and measuring social media marketing plans
Physical and Availability Requirements
- Frequent attendance at evening and weekend activities, meetings and seminars is required, as well as intermittent travel
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Manual dexterity needed for keyboarding and other repetitive tasks
- Must be able to lift and move up to 15 pounds without assistance
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should email a copy of their resume and a letter of interest to melinda.barrow@millsaps.edu. No phone calls please.
About Millsaps
Millsaps College is a selective institution of higher education located on 100 beautiful acres in the heart of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi — a progressive southern metropolitan city of nearly half a million. Millsaps is dedicated to academic excellence, open inquiry and free expression, the exploration of faith to inform vocation and the innovative shaping of the social, economic and cultural progress of the region. The college was founded in 1890 by members of the Methodist Church and is consistently ranked as one of the best values in higher education.
Millsaps has an enrollment of approximately 750 students and employs 80 full-time faculty members. The faculty/student ratio at Millsaps is 1:9, and the average class size is 14. Millsaps has graduated 25 Fulbright Award recipients, seven Rhodes Scholars, six Goldwater Scholars and two Truman Scholars. Millsaps is a member of the NCAA Division III and Southern Athletic Association and competes in 18 intercollegiate sports.
EEO Statement
Millsaps College values diversity within our students, faculty and staff, and strives to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people. Millsaps College does not discriminate in employment on the bases of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and/or local laws.
All offers of employment will be contingent on successful completion of a background check and verification of employment. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Millsaps College provides a competitive benefits package.
It is the policy of Millsaps College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities for employment. If you require any accommodations to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact humanresources@millsaps.edu.
Additional Information
For additional information about Millsaps College please visit Millsaps.edu