Vice President for Communications and Chief of Staff for Advancement

Vice President for Communications and Chief of Staff for Advancement

The Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Advancement is a senior executive responsible for advancing the College's reputation, philanthropic support, and constituent engagement through integrated strategy and execution. Reporting to the President, this role provides leadership for fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing, communications, and advancement operations in support of institutional priorities.

The Vice President serves as a key member of the President's senior leadership team and a strategic partner in strengthening external relationships and institutional visibility.

Supervises

• Associate Vice President for Advancement
• Director of Marketing and Communications
• Director of Annual Fund
• Director of Alumni Engagement
• Advancement Data Systems Manager
• Advancement Assistant/Special Projects Coordinator

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Advancement

• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the College''s advancement, marketing, communications, alumni engagement, and constituent relations functions.
• Develop and implement integrated strategies that advance institutional priorities, strengthen the College''s reputation, and support enrollment and fundraising goals.
• Serve as a member of the President''s Senior Team and advise the President on matters related to advancement, communications, branding, and external engagement.
• Support and coordinate Board of Trustees advancement-related initiatives and reporting.

Advancement and Constituent Engagement

• Lead fundraising, alumni engagement, donor relations, and advancement operations to increase philanthropic support and constituent involvement.
• Establish performance goals, monitor outcomes, and utilize data to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Ensure effective stewardship of donor relationships, prospect development, advancement services, and constituent engagement strategies.
• Support the President''s engagement with donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.

Marketing, Communications and Brand Management

• Provide strategic oversight of institutional marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, and brand management activities.
• Ensure consistent messaging and visual identity across all College communications and marketing platforms.
• Oversee digital communications, publications, website strategy, social media, advertising, and institutional storytelling initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus leaders to support enrollment, advancement, and institutional visibility objectives.

Leadership, Operations and Resource Management

• Lead, develop, and supervise advancement, marketing, and communications staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Oversee divisional budgets, contracts, vendor relationships, policies, and operational processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and best practices related to advancement operations and constituent data management.
• Promote effective cross-campus collaboration and organizational effectiveness in support of College priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree required; Master''s degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven to ten years of progressive leadership experience, including senior-level roles in advancement, marketing, communications, higher education, or nonprofit leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, managing organizational change, and achieving strategic goals.
• Experience overseeing fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing, communications, public relations, or related functions.
• Strong understanding of advancement operations, donor engagement strategies, marketing and brand management, and constituent relations.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, contracts, and organizational resources.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills with the ability to engage effectively with trustees, donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, innovation, and data-informed decision making.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
• Successful completion of a driver and criminal background check in accordance with Coe College policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Operational excellence: Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets, data systems and personnel metrics.
• Excellent communication skills; the ability to collaborate with colleagues on campus and a diverse array of stakeholders off campus; a sound understanding of liberal arts colleges, particularly residential.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, staff and administration.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of a residential, liberal arts college with an understanding of trends and issues in the field of higher education.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills are essential as is the ability to affect favorable sophisticated volunteers and donors.

Coe Competencies

• Dedication to the educational mission of a private, residential liberal arts college.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships in a collaborative and diverse team atmosphere.
• Commitment to excellent customer and student service.
• Demonstrated ethical and responsible decision-making.
• Consistent attendance and accountability necessary to meet position objectives.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based environment on campus.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for events, donor engagement, and institutional activities.

Coe College is an equal opportunity employer.