Chief Marketing and

Communications Officer
System and Position Profile

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities invites

applications and nominations for the position of
chief marketing and communications officer.
Minimum Qualifications

Seven or more years of successful and progressive experience

planning and implementing marketing and communications
strategies, preferably in a large, complex organization (ideally
one that is distributed statewide or larger)
Bachelors degree

Overview

Reporting directly to chancellor, the chief

marketing and communications officer
(CMCO) serves as a member of the
chancellors cabinet and the leadership
council for the system.

Additional Considerations for Appointment

The chief marketing and communications

officer serves as the leader of the Marketing
and Communications division of the system
office and is responsible for promoting,
enhancing, and protecting the reputation of
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
The individual will lead integrated
communications, marketing, and resource
development initiatives, and will work closely
with the chancellor, the Board of Trustees,
members of the Cabinet, college and
university presidents, and external
constituents to achieve and advance system
goals through effective marketing and
communications.

About the team

The chief marketing and communications
officer leads the Marketing and
Communications division: the director of
communications and media, the director of
marketing and development, the senior
writer for executive and strategic
communications, a public relations associate,
a digital and social media coordinator, and an
administrative assistant. In addition, the
CMCO collaborates with key communicators
at MnSCU colleges and universities across the
state, leading through influence.

Skill and experience articulating organizational vision and

ensuring it is clearly understood and consistently delivered in all
communication both internal and external
Expertise building visibility and positive perceptions through the
media
Evidence of building partnerships with business and community
leaders/organizations
A proven track record of communicating with elected and
appointed policy makers
Experience making effective use of established and emerging
technology including website design and optimization, digital
engagement, and social media
Expertise developing compelling messages for targeted and
diverse audiences
An understanding of resource development
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including
journalism, copywriting, speech writing, editing, and
publishing/e-publishing
Ability to lead, manage, and motivate teams
An understanding of the value and unique missions of the
systems community colleges, technical colleges, comprehensive
colleges, and state universities, along with the shared mission of
the system as a whole
A passion for and demonstrated commitment to diversity

Preferred Work Experience and Qualifications

Experience in Minnesota
Advanced degree in field relevant to the position
Experience leading and sustaining change through
communication

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is the largest
single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota, and the
fifth largest system of higher education in the country. With 31
institutions, including 24 two-year colleges and seven state
universities, MnSCU serves 58% of the state's undergraduate student
population.

Strategic Framework
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities play
an essential role in growing Minnesotas
economy and opening the doors of educational
opportunity to all Minnesotans. To that end, we
will:

Ensure access to an extraordinary

education for all Minnesotans
Our faculty and staff will provide the best
education available in Minnesota, preparing
graduates to lead in every sector of
Minnesotas economy.
We will continue to be the place of opportunity,
making education accessible to all Minnesotans
who seek a college, technical or university
education; those who want to update their skills;
and those who need to prepare for new careers.

Be the partner of choice to meet

Minnesotas workforce and community
needs
Our colleges and universities will be the partner
of choice for businesses and communities across
Minnesota to help them solve real-world
problems and keep Minnesotans at the leading
edge of their professions.
Our faculty and staff will enable Minnesota to
meet its need for a substantially better educated
workforce by increasing the number of
Minnesotans who complete certificates,
diplomas, and degrees.

Deliver to students, employers,

communities and taxpayers the highest
value / most affordable option
Our colleges and universities will deliver the
highest value to students, employers,
communities, and taxpayers.
We will be the highest value / most affordable
higher education option.

The system includes 54 campuses in 47 Minnesota communities,

serving more than 410,000 students, with 120,000 students taking
non-credit courses and customized training programs designed for
businesses. Overall, the system produces 41,700 graduates each year,
of whom 81% get jobs in related fields and 80% stay in Minnesota,
contributing to the state's economy.
MnSCU colleges and universities offer 522 programs and 18,700
courses partially or fully online. The system also serves more than
62,000 Minnesota students of color (more than any other provider
of higher education in Minnesota), 28,000 PSEO students, and
11,000 veterans. MnSCU serves more low income students than all
of the other higher education providers in the state combined.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is governed
by a 15-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor.
The board has policy responsibility for system planning, academic
programs, fiscal management, personnel, admissions requirements,
tuition and fees, and rules and regulations.
http://www.mnscu.edu/board/index.html
Chancellor Steven Rosenstone is the chief executive officer of
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. He is responsible for
providing academic leadership to the systems 31 colleges and
universities, ensuring effective and efficient management and
operation of the system, carrying out board policies, recommending
operating and capital budgets to the board, and planning for the
current and long- term educational needs of Minnesota.
http://www.mnscu.edu/chancellor/index.html
In January 2012, the MnSCU Board of Trustees adopted a strategic
framework for the future of MnSCU. The framework emphasizes
the essential role MnSCU plays in growing Minnesotas economy and
opening doors of education opportunity to all Minnesotans.
(See side column on this page.)
MnSCU has now embarked on Charting the Future, a systemwide
initiative to deliver on the commitments set forth in the strategic
framework. Charting the Future lays out the path to increase access,
affordability, excellence, and service for forging deeper collaborations
among our colleges and universities to maximize our collective
strengths, resources, and the talents of our faculty and staff.
http://www.mnscu.edu/chartingthefuture/

Search Timeline
Review of candidates will begin
immediately and will continue until the
position is filled. Priority consideration
will be given to applications received by
July 6, 2015.
The target start date for the new chief
marketing and communications officer
is August 24, 2015.

Core Responsibilities of
the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Strategic Marketing and Communications

Formalize the systems brand strategy; collaborate with

colleges and universities to implement use of brand standards.

Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate a strategic

marketing communication plan to strengthen the reputation of
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Deliver creative and effective communications to ensure

ongoing visibility and positive perceptions.

Market the colleges and universities as excellent, affordable

educational options for Minnesotans.

Articulate the MnSCU strategic vision and ensure that it is

communicated clearly and consistently to all stakeholders.

Identify and leverage ways to use technology and social media

to advance marketing and communication objectives.

Create and maintain marketing and communication tools and

capabilities to support initiatives across the system.

Ensure effective communication to all stakeholder groups in

collaboration with the presidents and other system leaders.

Benefits and Compensation

The position is classified as an Admin 11
and is covered by the MnSCU
Administrators plan which can be found
at: http://tinyurl.com/o4u33l9
The Marketing and Communications
division is located in the system office in
the Wells Fargo building in downtown
St. Paul. Some statewide travel is
required.
Inquiries, Nominations and Applications
Ballinger | Leafblad, Inc. is assisting
MnSCU in this search. Nominations or
confidential inquiries are welcomed. To
apply or nominate a candidate, or for
more information, contact:
Lars Leafblad
Co-founder and Principal
Ballinger | Leafblad, Inc.
lars@ballingerleafblad.com
http://www.ballingerleafblad.com
Interested candidates should submit:
a letter of interest describing
how the applicant's
experience directly relates to
the outlined job
responsibilities,
a current resume, and
the names and telephone
numbers of five professional
references.
Applicants are encouraged to submit
their materials by email using Word or
PDF attachments.

Public Relations

Manage public relations on behalf of the system.

Coordinate crisis communication plans and strategies with

colleges and universities as appropriate.

Effectively work with reporters, editors and producers to

publicize the achievements and contributions of the colleges
and universities.

Create and maintain communication tools and capabilities to

support initiatives across the system.

Advocacy

Design and implement in collaboration with the presidents

and other system leaders advocacy strategies that effectively
communicate the value of Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities to elected and appointed government officials.

Additional Core Responsibilities of

the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Campus Support

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Alexandria Technical and Community College
Anoka Technical College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Bemidji State University
Central Lakes College
Century College
Dakota County Technical College
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Hennepin Technical College
Inver Hills Community College
Lake Superior College
Metropolitan State University
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Normandale Community College
North Hennepin Community College
Northeast Higher Education District
Hibbing Community College
Itasca Community College Mesabi
Range College
Rainy River Community College
Vermilion Community College
Northland Community and Technical College
Northwest Technical CollegeBemidji
Pine Technical and Community College
Ridgewater College
Riverland Community College
Rochester Community and Technical College
Saint Paul College
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
South Central College
Southwest Minnesota State University
Winona State University

Serve as an expert resource for college and university

communications professionals in order to collaborate and fulfill
shared needs.

Support college and university advancement efforts across the

system.

Develop and implement professional development

opportunities for communications professionals across the
system.

Executive Leadership Support

Advise the chancellor on communications opportunities and

issues.

Assist the chancellor in the support of the Board of Trustees

and Leadership Council.

Serve on the Cabinet and Leadership Council.

Serve on committees and attend conferences, meetings, and

hearings on behalf of the system.

Development

Help build partnerships and relationships that result in

increased support and additional resources for colleges and
universities.

30 7th St. E. Suite 350, St. Paul, MN

55101-7804
Phone: 651.201.1800 or 888.667.2848
www.mnscu.edu
Equal opportunity employer and educator.
Candidates with hearing or speech disabilities
may contact us via preferred telecommunications
relay services
June 9, 2015 v2