Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) - Educational Institution

Job Title: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Job Summary:

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for shaping the institution's overall marketing vision and strategy. The CMO will lead brand development, student recruitment (admissions), digital transformation, and market expansion initiatives to drive sustainable enrollment and institutional prestige. This role requires a dynamic, data-driven leader with strong strategic, creative, and analytical abilities tailored to the unique landscape of higher education.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Growth

• Develop and implement the overall marketing and enrollment strategy in alignment with institutional objectives, including academic growth and revenue targets.
• Define long-term brand positioning, communication, and recruitment plans across all academic programs (undergraduate, graduate, executive education).
• Identify growth opportunities in existing and new student demographics and geographical markets.
• Lead prospect generation and application conversion strategies across the entire student lifecycle.
• Oversee the entire Marketing, Admissions, and Communications Team and drive them toward institutional enrollment and reputation goals.
• Brand Management & Institutional Communications
• Strengthen the institution's brand identity, visibility, and reputation among prospective students, parents, alumni, and the wider academic community.
• Oversee corporate communications, media relations, public relations (PR), and crisis communications to safeguard and enhance the institution's image.
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging and positioning across all platforms, aligning with academic excellence and core values.
• Manage the design and communication of key institutional publications, including the prospectus and annual reports.

Digital Recruitment & Performance Marketing

• Coordinate and execute data-driven campaigns to generate quality leads (prospective students) for admission.
• Work closely with the Digital Marketing Team to optimize the institution's website, SEO, SEM, social media, and paid advertising to drive applications and engagement.
• Oversee the implementation and utilization of the Admissions CRM and marketing automation tools.

Market Insights & Student Research

• Analyze higher education market trends, prospective student behavior, and competitor activities to identify competitive advantages.
• Translate market and student insights into actionable strategies for marketing campaigns and new program development.

Student Recruitment & Stakeholder Enablement

• Collaborate closely with the Admissions Office and academic leadership to align marketing activities with enrollment and retention goals.
• Support application pipeline building, yield strategies, and initiatives focused on student experience and alumni engagement.
• Develop strategic partnerships and alliances (e.g., with schools, corporations, international partners) to expand the institution's market reach and profile.

Team Leadership & Management

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing marketing and communications team.
• Set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitor performance (especially enrollment metrics), and ensure continuous professional development.
• Manage marketing and admissions budgets efficiently and report outcomes and Return on Investment (ROI) to the President/CEO.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, or Business Administration (MBA or equivalent preferred).
• 12+ years of progressive marketing leadership experience, with significant experience in the higher education, non-profit, or related service sector.
• Proven track record in brand management, digital recruitment marketing, and student enrollment strategy.
• Strong understanding of modern marketing tools, analytics, Admissions/Student Lifecycle CRM platforms, and data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, leadership, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders (Faculty, Board, Staff).
• Ability to thrive in a mission-driven, fast-paced, and dynamic institutional environment.

Work Conditions:

• Full-time, executive leadership position reporting directly to the CEO/President/Managing Director.
• Requires travel for admissions events, business meetings, conferences, and market visits (domestic and international).

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: ₹60, ₹70,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person