VP Marketing, Enrollment, & Communications

Reports to: President
Position: Full-Time, Executive Leadership | President's Cabinet

Position Summary

Oklahoma Wesleyan University seeks a creative, strategic, and highly relational leader to serve as Vice President of Marketing, Enrollment, and Communications. Reporting directly to the President, this executive will lead the University's marketing and communications efforts, strengthen its brand, expand its visibility, and drive institutional growth.

The Vice President's primary responsibility is to tell the OKWU story effectively, differentiate the University in a competitive higher education marketplace, and connect its academic programs and Christian mission with prospective students and key constituents.

This position requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. The successful candidate will be an experienced higher education marketer who can develop institutional strategy while personally engaging in campaign development, academic program marketing, relationship building, and creative problem-solving. The Vice President will also provide strategic oversight of the Admissions team, working with the Executive Director of Admissions, who manages day-to-day recruitment operations.

 Key Responsibilities

Marketing and Brand Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy that strengthens OKWU's brand, increases institutional visibility, and supports enrollment growth.
• Lead digital marketing, advertising, website strategy, social media, creative content, and institutional storytelling.
• Develop compelling messaging that communicates OKWU's academic excellence, student experience, Christian mission, and distinctive value.
• Establish measurable marketing goals and evaluate campaign effectiveness, lead generation, and return on investment.

Academic Program Marketing

• Collaborate closely with the Provost, deans, and faculty to understand and promote the University's academic programs.
• Develop targeted marketing plans that connect individual programs with prospective students, churches, schools, employers, and other relevant audiences.
• Utilize market research, competitive analysis, and enrollment trends to identify opportunities for program growth.
• Lead marketing strategies for new academic programs and emerging enrollment markets.

Communications and External Relations

• Oversee institutional communications, public relations, media engagement, and brand consistency.
• Collaborate with the President and University leadership on strategic messaging, major announcements, and institutional priorities.
• Build relationships with churches, schools, community organizations, employers, and other partners to expand OKWU's reach and influence.
• Ensure consistent and compelling communication across University departments and constituent groups.

Enrollment and Admissions Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership for enrollment and admissions while empowering the Executive Director of Admissions to manage daily operations.
• Align marketing initiatives with recruitment strategies to generate qualified inquiries, applications, and enrolled students.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Academic Affairs, Athletics, and Financial Aid to support institutional enrollment goals.
• Monitor enrollment performance and identify opportunities to improve recruitment effectiveness and growth.

Executive Leadership

• Serve on the President's Cabinet and contribute to University-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Lead and develop Marketing, Communications, and Admissions personnel, establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources, and external partnerships with attention to effectiveness and stewardship.
• Model a hands-on, collaborative leadership approach, personally engaging in the work necessary to advance institutional priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Significant professional experience in higher education marketing, communications, and enrollment-related activities.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing marketing strategies that produce measurable results.
• Strong understanding of higher education admissions, recruitment, and enrollment management.
• Experience in digital marketing, institutional branding, campaign development, and marketing analytics.
• Proven leadership, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, executive leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Personal commitment to the Christian faith and alignment with OKWU's mission and institutional values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in marketing, communications, higher education, business, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible higher education marketing or related leadership experience.
• Experience at a private Christian college or university.
• Demonstrated success marketing academic programs, including graduate and online offerings.
• Experience leading integrated marketing, communications, and enrollment initiatives.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a creative marketer, compelling communicator, relational leader, and strategic thinker who is willing to roll up their sleeves and execute. This individual will understand how to translate OKWU's mission and academic strengths into effective marketing strategies, build meaningful relationships across the University and beyond, and produce measurable results. Above all, this leader will embrace the mission and Statement of Faith of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.