Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Marketing Officer – Overview
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) serves as Montana State University’s senior marketing and brand leader. The position is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing strategies that strengthen the university’s reputation, advance institutional priorities, and deepen engagement with key audiences. The CMO leads MSU’s central marketing functions and works collaboratively with colleges, departments, and university units to promote enrollment, retention, student success, and institutional reputation.

The CMO is the senior steward of the MSU brand, overseeing brand strategy, marketing strategy, digital marketing, social media, trademarks, licensing, brand standards, and relationships with local, state, and national retailers and licensees. The role supervises eight staff members and works within the University Communications shared‑services model.

Responsibilities

Serves as the university’s senior marketing and brand leader, providing strategic direction for institutional marketing, brand positioning and audience engagement.

Develops and leads a team of professionals in marketing, digital marketing, social media, trademarks and licensing, advertising, marketing analytics, and brand implementation.

Oversees brand strategy and the execution of creative, integrated marketing programs that support student recruitment, retention, success, institutional affinity and brand awareness.

Works closely with the Office of Admissions and other key university units to develop marketing strategies that support enrollment‑related goals and measurable outcomes.

Leads advertising and media buying strategy, including digital advertising, paid social, paid search, print, radio, television/video and other channels, focusing on maximizing marketing investments.

Oversees the development and implementation of audience‑focused, data‑informed marketing campaigns aligned with university priorities.

Uses market research, audience insights, campaign analytics and performance data to evaluate marketing effectiveness and guide future strategy.

Manages the university’s brand standards, ensuring marketing and communications materials are consistent with MSU’s visual identity, voice, messaging and institutional priorities.

Ensures the MSU brand is strengthened and protected across all channels, including advertising, digital platforms, social media, publications, merchandise and other public‑facing materials.

Supervises staff responsible for managing university trademarks, licensing agreements, royalty collection, licensee relationships and the development of retail products that build brand affinity.

Collaborates with university partners, including legal counsel, athletics and trademarks/licensing staff, on issues involving MSU’s marks, licensing, brand use and Name, Image and Likeness matters.

Works closely with University Communications teams in Visual Media, News, Creative Services, and Web and Digital Communications to ensure coordinated, high‑quality and effective integrated communications.

Oversees social media strategy and digital marketing strategy in coordination with staff responsible for implementation and analytics.

Provides leadership for marketing services delivered through University Communications’ shared‑services model, setting priorities, strengthening workflows and ensuring services meet the needs of university clients.

Mentors, coaches and develops marketing team members, fostering collaboration, creativity, accountability and alignment with institutional goals.

Develops and manages marketing budgets and resources within University Communications to ensure effectiveness, accountability and strategic impact.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, brand management, advertising, communications, digital marketing, licensing or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the competencies required to succeed in this position.

Significant supervisory experience in marketing, communications or a related field.

Experience leading a team of marketing professionals with a range of specializations.

Experience developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies that strengthen brand awareness, institutional reputation or audience engagement.

Experience managing large‑scale projects, campaigns, budgets and vendor relationships.

Experience using data, analytics or market research to inform marketing strategy and evaluate results.

Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to convey complex ideas, strategies and recommendations effectively to senior leaders and campus partners.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in marketing within higher education.

Experience working in a land‑grant university, public university, public agency or similarly complex, mission‑driven organization.

Familiarity with collegiate trademarks, licensing, brand standards, retail partnerships or athletics‑related brand considerations.

Experience supporting enrollment, student success, advancement, alumni engagement or other institutional priorities through marketing strategy.

Experience leading marketing work within a centralized or shared‑services communications model.

Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

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