Job Description

Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the Cabinet, the CMO will define and execute a comprehensive marketing and brand strategy that strengthens FIT's global reputation, supports enrollment and student success, enhances stakeholder engagement, and advances institutional revenue opportunities.

At a pivotal moment for higher education and FIT's continued evolution, the CMO will position the college as the premier public institution at the intersection of creativity, industry, and academic excellence. As the chief brand steward, the CMO will ensure a clear, consistent, and differentiated brand presence across all channels and audiences, while leading integrated, data-informed strategies that elevate FIT's visibility and impact locally, nationally, and globally.

The CMO will lead a centralized marketing and communications function and partner across academic and administrative units to align efforts, enhance effectiveness, and deliver cohesive, high-impact initiatives. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in brand strategy, audience engagement, and digital innovation, along with the ability to operate effectively within Enrollment Management and Student Success, and Academic Affairs, including the School of Art and Design, the School of Business and Technology, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Graduate Studies, and the Office of Continuing and Professional Studies and Pre-College Programs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership, Brand, and Revenue Stewardship

Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive, multi-year marketing, branding, and revenue strategy aligned with FIT's mission, institutional priorities including those defined in the strategic plan, and evolving position within fashion, design, business and the creative industries.
Serve as the chief steward of the FIT brand, ensuring consistency, clarity, and distinction across all marketing, digital, physical, and public-facing channels
Protect and enhance FIT's reputation as a premier public institution?one that uniquely bridges creativity, industry relevance, and academic rigor.
Lead ongoing market, audience, and competitor analysis to inform brand and revenue positioning and identify emerging opportunities.
Collaboration and linkage with key events and programming across the college, both internally and externally, to support the brand - this includes partnering with departments and offices that host and develop the events.

Marketing Strategy & Enrollment Support

Lead integrated marketing campaigns to support student recruitment, enrollment management, and retention.
Oversee development of data-driven marketing materials that clearly communicate FIT's academic strengths, industry connections, and alumni successes and achievements across fashion, art, design, business, technology, liberal arts and sciences and related creative fields.
Establish performance metrics and evaluate marketing effectiveness using analytics, KPIs, and ROI measures to continuously optimize strategy and performance.

External Communications

Oversee aspects of external institutional communications, including brand-enhancing media relations, executive messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
Promote FIT's achievements, innovations, faculty and staff expertise, student success, and partnerships in the creative industries.
In collaboration with media relations, cultivate strong relationships with press, industry leaders, businesses, partners, and cultural institutions to expand FIT's global visibility and influence.

Digital Strategy & Content Innovation

Lead the evolution of FIT's digital marketing and branding ecosystem?including website, social media, digital campaigns, content marketing, and emerging platforms?to enhance engagement and improve user experience.
Build exciting partnerships and collaborations with individuals, businesses, and non-profits to enhance FIT brand recognition, reputation, and revenue.
Champion innovative storytelling formats that highlight FIT's distinct identity, diversity, industry access, and legacy of producing creative leaders.
Ensure that digital assets reflect industry-leading design standards consistent with FIT's role as a hub of creativity, emerging technology, and innovation.

Leadership & Team Development

Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing marketing and communications team committed to excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Oversee budgets, resources, and external agency partnerships effectively and strategically.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field preferred.
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, branding, revenue generation, and/or communications, ideally within higher education, creative industries, or mission-driven organizations.
Demonstrated success leading brand transformation, integrated marketing campaigns, brand partnerships, revenue growth strategies, and strategic communication initiatives at scale.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Deep understanding of brand strategy, storytelling, and reputation management in the current digital information environment.
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making, with the ability to translate insights into strategic action.
Ability to lead and influence across a decentralized, multi-stakeholder organization.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to build partnerships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt strategies in response to evolving market conditions and institutional needs.
Expertise in digital marketing ecosystems, audience engagement strategies, and emerging platforms.
Ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including academic leadership, industry partners, media, and external constituents.
High level of professional judgment, discretion, and integrity.

Additional Information

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $360,000 - $390,000 per year; commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm, in person; work schedule subject to change based on department needs.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

Retirement Plans
Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Account
Commuter Benefit Plan
FIT Tuition Exemption Program
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
4-day Summer Workweek
Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage .

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212.217.3360.

Annual Security Report

The safety and well-being of FIT's students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics . A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety's administrative office number at (212) 217-4999.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be primarily in an office space. The physical requirement for this position will require constant sitting, occasional standing, occasional bending, occasional walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.

Application Instructions

In order to be considered for this position, please submit the following documents online:

Resume
Cover letter
Unofficial Transcript
A list of three references with telephone numbers and email addresses

Returning Applicants - Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your submitted application material.

Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to contact each applicant individually.

Additional information about the Fashion Institute of Technology can be found at: http://www.fitnyc.edu .

About Fashion Institute of Technology

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and a globally recognized leader in education for fashion, design, business, and technology, seeks a strategic and visionary Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead the institution's enterprise-wide marketing, branding, and external communications efforts.

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