Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its world-class faculty and immersive and innovative management programs. The GSB's degree and non-degree programs provide students with a transformative educational experience that is built on a base of pioneering faculty research. Through these efforts, the school creates ideas illuminating management practice and develops innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change the world.
The Graduate School of Business seeks a Chief Communications & Marketing Officer to oversee and direct external communications and marketing efforts for a complex school with multiple stakeholders and audiences. Leading a team of 20 communications professionals and reporting directly to the Dean, you will create and carry out integrated strategies that spread the knowledge and innovation from the school to inspire and inform prospective students, alumni, and leaders across business and other sectors, by sharing knowledge about the school's programs and bold ideas and insights into vital management issues including AI, sustainability, leadership, innovation, and investing.
You will liaise with staff and faculty leadership and Stanford counterparts to implement this vision and strategy. The ideal candidate will have a passion for higher education and know how to multiply the school's impact with world-class communications, content, and marketing. You will also possess a deep understanding of the role of technology in communications and marketing, will passionately nurture innovation and creativity, and will develop our talented staff.
This is a highly visible role, and candidates should exhibit strong communication skills and presence, strategic leadership capabilities, unwavering integrity, and a collaborative mindset.
CORE DUTIES*:
Responsible for overseeing strategic communications and developing long and short-term initiatives to grow, enhance, and protect the school's reputation and address GSB priorities.
Evaluate and create the most impactful use of digital marketing and communications.
Devise and implement creative, compelling, and effective means of communicating the breadth and depth of faculty research, student experience, alumni impact, academic excellence, and the essential nature of the school and its components.
Oversee school key messages and develop strategies impacting multiple audiences, channels, and constituencies. Manage the GSB brand as it is implemented across the school to ensure consistency and accuracy in alignment with University brand and name use guidelines.
Direct the management and operations of public-facing communications and marketing programs, platforms, and channels, including media relations, GSB website, social media, print magazine, and email newsletter, to ensure strategic implementation, efficiency, and consistency with GSB branding and strategic priorities.
Develop protocols and best practices for a communications & marketing functional area of responsibility. Collaborate with and convene stakeholders across the school to ensure quality and consistency of communications. Provide strategic and functional guidance to communicators and marketers in GSB departments.
Direct crisis communication response including emergency matters and issues with reputational impact and training communication leads in the school in various situations.
Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve communication goals supporting the school's mission and vision. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports, and accountable for the performance of employees.
Collaborate with University Communications and GSB leadership to ensure strategic plans and activities are aligned with overall university outreach and communications.
* - Other duties may also be assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree and ten years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. MBA or related advanced degree desired.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Depth of experience, sound judgment, and confidence befitting a functional leadership position.
Advanced strategic and tactical thinking ability. Demonstrated ability to discern a strategy to move forward and make or escalate decisions as appropriate.
Demonstrated ability to manage large and complex issues through diverse and competing interests. Adept in convening key stakeholders in crisis situations.
Advanced understanding of the communications and marketing role in institutions. Demonstrated ability to lead communication efforts across functions and school units toward a common goal.
Excellence in communicating at all levels and for all audiences.
Excellent influencing, negotiating, and relationship management skills; ability to earn credibility and influence opinion leaders.
Excels at managing, editing, writing, analyzing, and synthesizing complex materials and has demonstrated the ability to communicate highly technical or nuanced information in a manner easily understood under time constraints.
Creative thinker with a desire and ability to seek and optimize opportunities for innovation.
Experience in leveraging communications technology and channels in support of furthering the goals and objectives of the institution.
Proven management skills and the ability to build and sustain a best-in-class communications and marketing team. Proven ability to support and manage a highly matrixed organization with complex integrated workflows.
The expected pay range for this position is $157,000 to $270,000 per year.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Stanford's dedicated 16,000 staff come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global sphere. We provide competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our generous perks align with what matters to you:
Freedom to grow. Take advantage of career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
Discovery and fun. Visit campus gardens, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computers, cell phones, recreation, travel, entertainment, and more!
We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.
How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application.
* The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Why work at Stanford?Stanford University has changed the world, over and over again.We are one of Silicon Valley's largest employers - and also one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At the same time, our traditions of respect and collaboration sustain a humane, supportive environment in which to pursue your life and your career.At Stanford you'll work with bright, diverse, dedicated people. You'll find encouragement to learn and grow. You'll enjoy excellent benefits and an outstanding environment. How will it change you?