Description
Alfred State CollegeTitle: Executive Director of Marketing and Communications - Alfred State College
Location: Alfred, NY Category: Management - MC Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Mon Mar 16 2026 Job Description:
The Executive Director of Marketing and Communications serves as Alfred State College's Chief Marketing Officer, providing strategic and operational leadership for the College's integrated marketing, branding, and communications enterprise. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and serving on the President's Council, the Executive Director leads the development and execution of comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that elevate Alfred State's visibility, support enrollment and institutional advancement goals, and strengthen the College's reputation regionally and beyond.
This role serves as the College's chief architect of brand strategy and institutional storytelling, ensuring that communications and marketing initiatives align with institutional priorities and advance Alfred State's mission. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, the Executive Director provides strategic guidance on public relations, messaging, reputation management, and emerging marketing trends while helping ensure that communications efforts support the broader institutional strategy.
The Executive Director collaborates closely with senior leadership, Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement, Athletics, academic departments, and other campus partners to develop a unified marketing vision that ensures consistent and compelling messaging across all platforms. The position emphasizes implementation excellence through strong team leadership, cross-campus collaboration, and the use of data-informed decision-making, audience segmentation, and modern digital marketing practices to achieve measurable outcomes.
The Executive Director leads a high-performing professional team and oversees a fully integrated marketing operation that includes:
- Public Relations and Media Strategy
- Creative Services and Brand Management
- Photography and Visual Storytelling
- Web Strategy, Digital Marketing, and Emerging Technologies
- Social Media Strategy and Content Development
- Print and Mail Services Center, including an in-house design team and full digital printing press operation
The Executive Director ensures alignment of all institutional messaging with Alfred State's distinctive brand promise "Pioneers Are Pros." Through a balance of strategic leadership and operational excellence, the Executive Director fosters fresh ideas, innovative marketing approaches, and a culture of collaboration that positions Alfred State for continued growth and success.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications plan aligned with strategic priorities, enrollment objectives, and advancement goals.
- Serve as the College's chief brand steward, ensuring consistency, clarity, and impact across all communication channels.
- Advise senior leadership and the President's Council on brand positioning, market trends, reputational risk, and strategic messaging.
Enrollment & Revenue Focus
- Lead data-informed marketing strategies that drive recruitment, conversion, retention support, and institutional advancement.
- Partner closely with Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement to support revenue-generating initiatives.
- Apply best practices from consumer and online retail marketing to higher education enrollment strategy.
Digital Innovation & Emerging Technologies
- Oversee digital marketing strategy development, including SEO/SEM/AEO, paid media, CRM-driven communications, marketing automation, and analytics.
- Champion forward-thinking web strategies, including AI-enhanced personalization, user experience optimization, and future-focused digital engagement tools.
- Monitor and implement emerging marketing technologies and trends to maintain competitive positioning.
Communications & Media Relations
- Direct institutional public relations strategy, including media engagement, crisis communications, and proactive reputation management.
- Collaborate with SUNY System Administration marketing and public relations teams to align institutional messaging and amplify statewide visibility.
Operational & Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a collaborative, high-performing marketing and communications team.
- Oversee project management workflows to ensure efficiency, quality control, and timely execution.
- Provide guidance and high-level oversight of the College's Print and Mail Services Center, supporting campus-wide communications and production needs.
Why This Is a Distinctive Leadership Opportunity
This is more than a traditional marketing leadership role- it is an opportunity to shape the trajectory of a thriving institution with strong momentum and presidential partnership.
The Executive Director of Marketing and Communications will:
- Work closely with the President and senior leadership team as a member of the President's Council, contributing directly to institutional strategy and visibility.
- Step into the role at a moment of strength and forward momentum, including:
- A newly relaunched institutional website built for growth and digital engagement.
- A healthy and strategic digital marketing budget designed to support targeted enrollment marketing and brand expansion.
- A fully operational in-house digital printing and mail center, including variable data and personalization capabilities.
- A talented in-house creative and design team, supported by video production and photography expertise with strong visual storytelling capacity.
- Lead marketing for a College experiencing strong and growing enrollment.
- Support and amplify the remaining public phase of a successful $40 million capital campaign, reinforcing institutional advancement and philanthropic impact.
- Steward a bold and differentiated brand ? "Pioneers Are Pros" - that is authentic, distinctive, and uniquely positioned within SUNY and the broader higher education marketplace.
This role offers the rare combination of executive influence, operational capability, financial support, and institutional momentum. The next leader will not need to build infrastructure from scratch - they will build upon a strong foundation and elevate it to the next level.
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field; or ten plus years of progressive experience with bachelor's degree required.
- Four plus years in leadership roles in marketing and communications or similar.
- Demonstrated success in leading integrated, multi-channel marketing strategies.
- Expertise and proficiency in digital marketing, analytics, performance measurement and enrollment-focused campaign development.
- Proven experience in brand management and institutional positioning.
- Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational leadership skills.
- Experience managing budgets and external agencies.
- High level of integrity and ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
- Willingness to work flexible hours as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education marketing or a similarly complex mission-driven organization.
- Experience translating consumer or online retail marketing strategies into measurable audience growth and conversion outcomes.
- Understanding of higher education trends and communication strategies
- Familiarity with AI-driven marketing tools, web personalization strategies, and marketing automation platforms.
- Experience collaborating within large systems such as SUNY or multi-campus organizations.
Key Skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Leadership and team management
- Digital marketing expertise (social media, SEO, AEO, analytics)
- Experience with CRM systems and marketing automation tools
- Proficiency in content management systems and email marketing platforms
- Brand management and development
- Budget management and strategic planning
- Crisis communication and reputation management
- Ability to translate complex academic concepts for diverse audiences
Technical Proficiencies:
- Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
- Analytics tools (Google Analytics, social media insights)
- CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, Slate)
- Digital advertising platforms
- Project management tools
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Alfred State College is not an E-Verify employer.
Additional Information:
The salary for this position starts at $105,000 and is commensurate with education and experience.
Employees are also offered EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS! We offer extensive healthcare and retirement options, including the opportunity for a pension. Furthermore, we prioritize a harmonious integration of work, personal life, and academic endeavors to support your overall work-life balance and effectiveness.
Benefits options include:
Health Insurance:
- Cost effective health insurance premiums with 73% to 88% covered by the employer.
- PPO or HMO option for personalized healthcare solutions.
- Exceptional fertility benefits available.
- Accumulated sick leave can cover a health insurance premium in retirement.
Dental and Vision:
- No cost dental and vision benefits for employees and eligible dependents.
Educational Support:
- Tuition benefits to invest in your continuous learning and professional development.
Paid Time Off:
- New employees are eligible for up to an impressive 22 vacation and 13 paid sick days per year, increasing with years of service.
- Up to 13 paid holidays annually
- Paid parental leave
Retirement Plans:
- Various retirement options, including a defined benefits (pension) plan. With the pension, retired employees receive a defined monthly income for the rest of their life.
- Additional pre- and post- tax voluntary retirement savings options are available.
Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package are designed to exceed your expectations, affirming our dedication to your overall well-being and professional growth.
Non-Discrimination Notice
Alfred State College hereby advises students, parents, employees, and the general public that it offers employment and educational opportunities, including career and technical educational opportunities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the college community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
Alfred State policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting either of the compliance officers/coordinators listed below. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations, and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to:
Kayleigh Jones
Chief Diversity Officer
Alfred State College
10 Upper College Drive
Alfred, NY 14802
cdo@alfredstate.edu
Phone 607-587-4025
If you would like to receive the combined Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains this information, you can stop in and request one at the University Police Department, located in the TG House on Lower College Drive or request a copy by calling the University Police at 607-587-3999. This report is available on the college's website at: http://www.alfredstate.edu/university-police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report
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