📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: CMU Foundation Communications & Marketing Liaison
🔹 Company: Colorado Mesa University
🔹 Location: CMU Main Campus, Grand Junction, CO
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies
- Creating engaging content for various platforms
- Managing websites and communication channels
- Building and maintaining relationships with alumni, donors, and other stakeholders
- Collaborating with internal departments and external affiliates
- Monitoring and analyzing communication strategies and campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies aligned with the foundation’s goals, alumni engagement, and career services initiatives.
✅ Create compelling content for various platforms, including emails, The Maverick Magazine, social media, and print materials.
✅ Manage the supportingcmu.org and affiliated career services website, ensuring content is up-to-date, relevant, and engaging.
✅ Manage communication channels, including the LINK call center, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in messaging.
✅ Manage relations with the Alumni Board of Directors, fostering strong connections and engagement opportunities for alumni and other CMU affiliates.
✅ Lead and mentor the communications team, providing guidance, feedback, and support to ensure high-quality results.
✅ Collaborate with internal departments, alumni, donors, sponsors, and other affiliates to gather insights, stories, and updates for communication purposes.
✅ Work closely with sponsors and other affiliates who contribute through donations, products, and co-branded events. Manage relationships, ensure brand alignment, and coordinate partnership opportunities.
✅ Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns, creating data-driven reports to assess success.
✅ Manage the communications budget.
✅ Develop and produce marketing materials that align with CMU’s messaging and goals.
✅ Maintain brand integrity through quality control, ensuring all outgoing communication and materials are on-brand and meet established guidelines.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Experience: Two years’ experience in marketing and communication
Required Skills:
- Excellent writing, oral, and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, students, parents, and the general public
- Experience writing and editing
Preferred Skills:
- Exceptional communication skills, strategic thinking, and experience in gift negotiation and solicitation
- Sensitivity to long-term relationship building and stewardship with donors and potential donors
- Demonstrated experience and desire to apply fundraising techniques with imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit
- Ability to advocate for public higher education and Colorado Mesa University in particular
- High standard of professional integrity
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in higher education or non-profit communications may have an advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 commensurate with education and experience
Benefits:
- Excellent health and retirement benefits package
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in higher education. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: Mid-sized (1,001 - 5,000 employees)
Founded: 1925
Company Description:
- Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado
- CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings
- CMU serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance
Company Specialties:
- Higher Education
- Student Services
- Academic Research
- Community Engagement
Company Website: coloradomesa.edu
ASSUMPTION: Colorado Mesa University is a dynamic and growing institution, offering a wide range of academic programs and services to its diverse student body.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Vice President of the CMU Foundation
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time (40 hours per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement within the communications department or broader university administration
- Opportunities to gain experience in fundraising and donor relations
- Possibility to expand skills in digital marketing and data analysis
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive and collaborative work environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a campus-based office
Office Location(s): CMU Main Campus, Grand Junction, CO
Geographic Context:
- Grand Junction is located in western Colorado, approximately 250 miles west of Denver
- The city offers a mix of urban and outdoor recreational opportunities, with easy access to the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, and nearby rivers for rafting and fishing
- Grand Junction has a semi-arid climate, with four distinct seasons and an average annual precipitation of about 10 inches
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is supportive and collaborative, with a focus on teamwork and open communication.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-campus or virtual interview with hiring manager and/or team members
- Final round interview with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Experience with marketing and communication strategies
- Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders
- Knowledge of higher education or non-profit communications
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of CMU's mission and values in your application materials
- Prepare examples of your communication and marketing work to discuss during the interview
- Research the CMU Foundation and its initiatives to show your enthusiasm for the position
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Communications, Strategy, Content Creation, Team Leadership, Relationship Management, Data Analysis, Budget Management, Writing, Editing, Public Speaking, Collaboration, Brand Management, Fundraising, Engagement, Social Media, Higher Education, Non-profit
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may take several weeks, depending on the number of applicants and the university's hiring timeline.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Content Management Systems (CMS)
- Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Email Marketing Platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Website Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Graphic Design Software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred, but not required. Training and support will be provided as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in teaching and learning
- Student-centered approach
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Focus on open communication and active listening
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment
- Commitment to CMU's mission and values
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your communication skills and strategic thinking align with CMU's values and the responsibilities of this role?
- Can you provide an example of a successful marketing or communication campaign you've led, and how it demonstrated your ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders?
- How do you approach continuous learning and professional development in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with CMU's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple communication channels and stakeholder relationships simultaneously
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day tactical tasks
- Working within a budget and ensuring cost-effectiveness in communication initiatives
- Adapting to changes in university priorities, initiatives, or leadership
- Navigating a large and complex organization with diverse departments and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated through strong project management skills, effective communication, and a willingness to adapt and learn in a dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Marketing & Communications Manager in higher education or a non-profit organization
- However, it may differ in the scope of responsibilities, the need for fundraising experience, and the focus on alumni engagement and career services initiatives
- Career progression may involve moving into a director or vice president role within university communications or advancement
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in higher education or non-profit communications may find this role to be a good fit for their career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy for a university-wide campaign, including email marketing, social media, and print materials
- Managing a website redesign project, ensuring brand consistency and user-friendly navigation
- Coordinating a fundraising event, including sponsorship acquisition, event planning, and post-event follow-up
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from strategic planning to tactical execution.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall communications and advancement strategy for the CMU Foundation?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the communications department currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the CMU Foundation support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?
- How does the CMU Foundation engage with its alumni, and what are the plans for enhancing alumni engagement in the future?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and relevant questions demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you better understand the work environment and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your communication and marketing work to discuss during the interview
- Research the CMU Foundation and its initiatives to show your enthusiasm for the position
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Robin Brown, one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
