Assistant Vice President Of Marketing & Communications

The Position

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Marketing and Communications provides strategic vision, leadership, and execution for all institutional marketing, branding, and public relations efforts. This role is responsible for establishing and maintaining a consistent, compelling brand identity that reflects the college's mission, values, and impact within the community. The AVP leads a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy that advances student recruitment, retention, workforce partnerships, and institutional reputation. As a senior leader, the AVP oversees the marketing and communications department, ensuring alignment across all internal and external messaging channels, including digital, print, media relations, and social platforms. The position plays a critical role in shaping public perception of the college, strengthening community engagement, and promoting the college as a key driver of educational access. The AVP collaborates closely with executive leadership, academic and administrative units, and external stakeholders to ensure messaging is clear, consistent, and strategically aligned. This role provides leadership in crisis communications, reputation management, and proactive media engagement, while leveraging data and analytics to continuously improve marketing effectiveness and audience reach. Classification: Non-Affiliated Administrator Staff Duration: Full-Time, 12 months

What You Will Do

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all marketing, communications, public relations, and branding initiatives to advance the College's mission, enrollment goals, and student success priorities.

Develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications plan that supports recruitment, retention, community engagement, and institutional visibility.

Provide leadership and supervision for marketing, communications, public relations, and creative services teams. Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented team culture.

Oversee brand management to ensure consistent, accurate, and accessible messaging across all print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Collaborate with the School Deans to prepare and empower their teams to promote their schools using consistent messaging and created brand guides.

Lead digital strategy, including website content, social media, email communications, and emerging platforms, using data and analytics to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.

Direct public relations and media relations efforts, including crisis communications, institutional messaging, and executive communications.

Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to support College initiatives, programs, and events through effective marketing and communications planning.

Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and accreditation requirements related to marketing, communications, accessibility, and privacy.

Manage departmental budgets, vendor relationships, and external partnerships to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and return on investment.

Serve as the institution's primary communications advisor for public relations and reputation management.

Performs related duties, projects, and initiatives as assigned.

The Successful Candidate Must Have

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, or a related field.

Nine years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or public relations, of which at least three years were in a Director-level or higher role at an institution of higher learning, demonstrating exceptional strategic planning, organizational, written, and oral communication skills, and the ability to leverage data and analytics to optimize departmental effectiveness.

Minimum of four years of demonstrated leadership experience with a proven track record as an empowering supervisor, mentor, and team builder, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, digital marketing platforms, content management systems, and analytics tools; ability to review processes, analyze data, and make evidence-based recommendations for policy, strategy, and process improvements.

Knowledge of branding, accessibility standards, compliance requirements, and ethical communications practices.

Demonstrated success in creating innovative marketing campaigns that enhance institutional visibility, reputation, and engagement.

Even Better If You Have

Masters degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, or a related field.

Experience in student recruitment, community engagement, or public relations.

Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and external agency partnerships.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in communications, marketing strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

Bilingual – English/Spanish.

Benefits

Ocean County College offers the following benefits to full-time Non-Affiliated Administrators: Personal Time Off: OCC offers generous time off every fiscal year. Mid-year appointments will receive a prorated share of allotted time off.

Vacation: Twenty-five (25) Days Sick: Thirteen (13) Days Holidays: Fifteen (15) College Recognized Holidays

Pension Benefits: Participation in the New Jersey State Pension System is a requirement of eligible employees. Depending on the position and NJ State review, the participating pension will be the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), or the Defined Contribution Plan (DCRP). For more information visit: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/pension-info-active.shtml

Health Benefits: Medical: OCC offers its employees several health insurance options through the NJ State Health Benefit Program as a local education employer. Coverage is effective after a 2-month wait period. All employees are required to contribute to the cost of their health benefits under Chapter 78, P.L. 2011. To view the cost of contribution calculator, plan coverage, and more information visit: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/hb-active-sehbp.shtml Dental: The College offers dental insurance through Horizon Dental with three plan options. All single coverage levels are at no cost to the employee. Flexible Spending Accounts: Our generous flexible spending program allows you to deduct pre-tax dollars which can be used for co-pays, deductibles, dental, and dependent care.

Tuition Reimbursement/Waiver OCC offers tuition reimbursement to accredited credit and certificate programs, as well as OCC credit tuition waiver and non-credit course reimbursement for employees and their eligible dependents. Ocean County College is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer. Go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more information.

Employee Assistance Program: OCC offers all employees to take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support. This is a free and completely confidential service where EAP counselors provide assessment, support, and if needed referrals to additional services.