Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Regis College seeks an experienced, creative, and highly collaborative leader to serve as its next Vice President for Marketing and Communications (VPMC). The VPMC serves as the university's chief marketing and communications officer and is a key member of the President's Cabinet. Reporting directly to the newly appointed and dynamic President, the VPMC provides strategic direction for the institution's brand, reputation, and engagement efforts, ensuring that all communications and marketing initiatives advance the university's mission, strategic priorities, enrollment objectives, and advancement goals.

The Vice President for Marketing and Communications provides leadership for the university's integrated marketing and communications enterprise, encompassing institutional marketing, brand strategy, website content, public relations, crisis communications, internal communications, presidential communications, and external relations. In collaboration with Academic, Enrollment, and Advancement leadership, the VPMC develops and executes strategies that strengthen recruitment efforts, enhance philanthropic engagement, and elevate the university's visibility and reputation.

Regis College was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston nearly a century ago and since then has evolved into a leading, private, coeducational university in Massachusetts and the nation. Regis College challenges, inspires, and supports students who are driven by passion, purpose, and a pursuit to positively impact the world within a learning community that embraces inclusivity and innovation and builds strong character, confidence, and careers. The university sits on a beautiful 132-acre campus just 12 miles from Boston. The university enrolls 2,800 students, offering distinctive career-oriented programs grounded in the liberal arts tradition for undergraduate, graduate, and adult students in residential, hybrid, and online modalities. Known for its close-knit, supportive community, Regis is ranked among the top regional universities in the North by U.S. News and World Report, with additional distinction for social mobility and value.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities for the Vice President for Marketing and Communications are as follows:

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Positioning

• Lead the university's integrated marketing and communications function offering support for the university's efforts to communicate Regis' unique mission and characteristics in a compelling manner; enhancing and promoting the university's reputation to prospective students, parents, alumni, donors, the community, and audiences around the globe.
• Partner with the President and senior staff on envisioning, championing, and implementing inspirational, distinctive, and bold communications, marketing, public relations, external and government relations strategies for the university.
• Provide thought leadership and guidance in developing and amplifying the Regis brand and reputation, strengthening the university's ability to reach its goals.
• Serve as the President's lead public relations advisor, working collaboratively to develop and implement a thought leadership platform, and in the development of speeches, op-eds and other forms of significant communication.
• Act as a thought partner with fellow Cabinet members, including the vice presidents for enrollment and advancement, in the development of annual goals and strategies.
• In partnership with senior staff, support the initiation, oversight, and evaluation of institutional relationships; assure the development of institutional structures within marketing communications to support and maximize partnership agreements.
• Provide strategic counsel to the President and Cabinet on institutional reputation, issues management, crisis communications, and constituent engagement.
• Partner with Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management to identify market demand for existing programs and new program development and program feasibility; lead the division in successfully targeting and fostering new markets; develop and support enrollment and marketing plans to successfully launch new programs which align with the university's mission.

Brand Development

• Oversee the consistency of image, tone, and content of all Regis College communications, publications, social media, and electronic messages to effectively reach individual audiences, expand and elevate perception of a Regis education, and advance organization priorities.
• Enhance name recognition, reputation, and branding of the university by evaluating and acting on opportunities to develop, deepen, and affirm the core messages of the university's reputation.
• Utilize market research, audience insights, and performance analytics to inform decision-making and evaluate effectiveness.

Public Relations and Communications

• Serve as primary contact with external agencies, research companies, and external partners in marketing and branding initiatives, and act as the first point of contact for news outlets and constituents.
• Serve as the official spokesperson for Regis College, leading media relations, public relations, and crisis communications to safeguard the institution's reputation and minimize negative impact.
• Manage all institutional public relations initiatives, including the cultivation of relationships to increase earned media.
• Write and distribute press releases, media kits, speeches, newsletters, and engaging social media.
• Provide strategic planning and implementation oversight of all public relations initiatives, including strategy for increasing the university's digital footprint with media outreach to enhance traditional communications channels.

Enrollment Marketing

• Work with university leaders in the successful positioning of new academic programs and the repositioning of existing academic programs in the university's recruitment markets to maximize enrollments.
• Develop comprehensive marketing messages that reach, influence, and compel prospective students and their families to select a Regis education for all graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs.
• Partner closely with Enrollment Management leadership to align marketing strategies with recruitment, retention, and enrollment goals.

Advancement, Alumni, and Trustee Engagement

• Offer leadership and partnership in the cultivation and support of key institutional relationships including those with the board of trustees, advisory boards, and alumni network.
• Partner closely with advancement leadership to support fundraising initiatives, campaign communications, donor engagement, and alumni relations.

External, Government, and Community Relations

• Serve as an ambassador of the Regis community offering a visible and engaged community presence, fostering goodwill, and enhancing the university's brand and reputation through active stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with academic, enrollment, and advancement leaders to develop, support, and strengthen partnerships that support enrollment, workforce development, and community impact.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with state and federally elected officials, legislative staff, and higher education advocacy organizations through regular communication and engagement, and annual visits to the Massachusetts State House and Capitol Hill.
• Monitor and analyze state and federal legislation, regulations, and public policy developments that may impact higher education, Regis College, and its students, faculty and staff.

Departmental Leadership and Operations

• Review the organizational structure and function of communications, marketing, and partnership efforts across the university.
• Supervise, develop, and leverage the department's talents and resources, managing, and mentoring a high-performing, talented team.
• Foster a departmental and institutional culture of collaboration, creativity, accountability, and service.
• Provide oversight of annual operating budgets across marketing, communications, public relations, and strategic partnerships, ensuring the thoughtful and effective use of institutional resources.
• Initiate, oversee, and evaluate vendor partnerships; assure the development of institutional structures to maximize benefits and monitor vendor accountability.
• Coordinate and direct market research activities to assess the needs, perceptions, expectations and satisfaction of students, employees, employers, and other stakeholders of the university.
• Act as a player-coach in a lean environment, directly contributing to writing, editing, media outreach, content development and special projects as needed.

Regis is seeking an experienced marketing and communications leader with progressive experience and a proven record of success. The successful candidate will be required to have earned a bachelor's degree; an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution is preferred. In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following:

• Experience leading integrated marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, and market analysis initiatives in higher education or related environment and field.
• Demonstrated success in higher education or an equivalent setting with significant and progressive responsibility, increasing breadth of leadership, and deep management experience.
• Deep and nuanced understanding of today's competitive higher education environment.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build, inspire, and manage high-performing, cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to create a collegial and team-oriented work environment for a diverse team of colleagues.
• Demonstrated big-picture understanding of how marketing, public relations, and partnerships align with and advance overall institutional strategic objectives.
• Ability to lead strategically while also contributing directly to execution in a resource-conscious environment.
• A skilled communicator and storyteller with experience crafting compelling messaging across diverse platforms (print, digital, social), including high-level executive and presidential communications.
• Able to engage internal and external stakeholders in the development of creative, compelling, and visionary communications and marketing plans reaching a broad range of audiences.
• Broad and comprehensive knowledge of communications platforms, theories, concepts, practices, and policies with the ability to execute them.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in digital communications and social media.
• Understanding of multiple audiences including graduate students, adult learners, and undergraduates.
• Ability to provide reliable, trusted, and balanced judgment and advice while being diplomatic and direct.
• Competence in communicating complex concepts and addressing sensitive situations, resolving conflicts, as well as motivating and persuading others.
• Ability to negotiate appropriate communications across diverse, multi-generational audiences, effectively communicating the university's mission and values.
• A thoughtful and comprehensive approach to understanding the impact of communications on all constituencies of the university on matters of race, gender, sexuality, and other identities and lived experiences.
• Willingness to uphold the university's commitment to inclusive excellence in a diverse educational community.
• Data-informed decision maker, adept at data analysis, interpretation, and action; experienced in creating and managing key performance indicators to evaluate effectiveness and return on investment.
• Skilled budget manager who can allocate and manage resources effectively to achieve the greatest result possible.
• Deeply experienced in the management, evaluation, and oversight of vendor partners with the ability to maximize impact and invest judiciously.
• Ability to address problems that are broad, complex, and abstract requiring significant creativity, resourcefulness, staff engagement, negotiation, and diplomacy.

REGIS COLLEGE

Regis College was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in 1927 as an undergraduate, residential, women's liberal arts institution, at a time when higher education options for women were limited. Its mission was to strive for excellence and welcome all women without distinction. Over its history, grounded in its mission, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of the day. During the 1970s, Regis began granting its first graduate degrees. In 2007, it became a co-ed institution and launched its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice. This was followed by a second doctoral program, the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership which was launched in 2013. In 2017, Regis embarked on a new strategic initiative, offering its first fully online programs. Today, Regis offers programs in the arts and sciences, education, business and communication, professional studies, and nationally recognized programs in nursing and health sciences. With many programs offered fully online, the university's reach is global.

The mission of the university remains consistent with its founding values. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and inspired by the social justice values of its founders, Regis is a welcoming and inclusive community. The university provides access to an academically rigorous education grounded in the liberal arts tradition through innovative learning opportunities and collaborative engagement at all degree levels. Regis lives up to its motto, Via Veritas Vita ("the way and the truth and the life"), which reflects its tradition of empowering students to seek knowledge in order to pursue meaningful life experiences that contribute to our global community.

The university offers academic programs within four schools and one division-the School of Arts, Sciences and Education, the Marshall M. Sloane School of Business and Communication, the Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing, and the School of Health Sciences-as well as bachelor's degree completion programs and certificates through the Theresa Wood Lavine Division of Professional Studies. The university is also home to four well-regarded centers including the Children's Center, Autism Center, Fine Arts Center, and Center for Ministry and Service.

Regis integrates hands-on, experiential learning across the curriculum. All students gain direct experience through clinical rotations, fieldwork, and internships, assuring each student gains the skills they need for their chosen career. Opportunities for global experience also help shape students into leaders, ready to have a significant impact on their chosen profession. The faculty, accomplished in their respective disciplines and fields, are dedicated to offering personalized support, assuring students achieve their academic and professional goals.

Leadership

Regis is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. Faculty, staff, and students are represented by the Faculty Council, Administrative Council, Graduate Student Advisory Council, and Student Government Association.

Robin Lynn Cautin, PhD, will become the 11th president of Regis College on July 1, 2026. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, shaped by roles as a faculty member, associate provost, dean, and chief academic officer. Throughout her career, she has focused on connecting academic priorities with institutional strategy to strengthen student outcomes while ensuring that decisions are grounded in mission and long-term sustainability.

As she assumes the presidency, Dr. Cautin is focused on positioning Regis for continued strength and stability; building on its mission to educate the whole person and serve the dear neighbor without distinction, while ensuring the institution is well prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Vice President for Marketing and Communications will serve as an essential member of President Cautin's Cabinet and will join the university at an exciting time as the university embarks on a new strategic planning process.

Regis Students

In the Fall of 2025, Regis enrolled nearly 2,800 students, including 1,218 full and part-time undergraduates, 1,401 graduate students, and 135 students in credit-bearing certificate programs. The university is proud of its strong student outcomes and is committed to further strengthening them. It has an 80% first year retention rate and a 72% six-year graduation rate for undergraduate students, the latter of which is up from 64% in 2020. Among undergraduate alumni, 95% are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. 35% of undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant, 26% identify as first-generation, and 86% identify as female. 71% are residents of Massachusetts, and less than 1% come to Regis from outside the United States.

Regis' graduate programs in nursing, health sciences, education and communications are career-focused and taught by industry-active faculty focused on supporting students in advancing their education and careers. The majority of the programs offer thoughtful flexibility, allowing adult students to pursue an advanced degree while working full-time. Recent additions to the graduate program portfolio include an Organizational Leadership Track within the EdD in Leadership, and an ESL Licensure program.

Reflecting the university's understanding and commitment to all students, the university offers several Fast Track programs, intersession classes, and degree completion programs. Reflecting the needs of today's students, programs are offered in hybrid, in-person, and online formats.

Approximately 60% of Regis' undergraduate students live on campus in the university's five residence halls, which offer traditional and suite style housing options. Graduate students are also welcome to live on campus in one of the two graduate-level communities. On campus, students enjoy a wide array of leadership development and involvement opportunities to complement their academic journeys, including student clubs, organizations and athletics. A member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, Regis is an NCAA Division III institution and offers basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, and volleyball.

Regis graduates join an engaged community of more than 21,300 living alumni, many of whom remain connected to Regis by participating in programs held both on campus and online, volunteering their time, giving back, and joining the Graduate Ambassadors program.

Campuses

Regis' main 132-acre campus in Weston is home to the student experience. The university has invested heavily in the main campus over the past decade. Between 2014 and 2015, the university constructed a residence hall and quad and redesigned the learning commons and library. More recently, in 2024, the university was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center to enhance the Watson-Hubbard Science Center through the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment.

Additionally, the university has expanded its presence beyond its main campus. In 2015, Regis launched a satellite campus, Regis North, in nearby Lawrence, MA, to bring educational and professional opportunities to residents of Merrimack Valley through flexible bachelor's degree completion programs in nursing, public health, and marketing and communications. In 2019, Regis opened the Dental Center, a high-tech educational facility that serves as the clinical home for the university's dental hygiene program and provides affordable dental care services to Waltham, MA, and the surrounding community.

Fiscal Health

In 2019, Regis completed a $40-million capital campaign two months ahead of schedule. Recent major gifts include a $5 million gift, the largest in Regis' history, to establish the Fung Scholars Program, and a $2 million gift to endow the Dean of Nursing position and open a healthcare clinic in Woburn, MA. Regis has an annual operating budget of approximately $80 million, with an endowment of $53.9 million as of June 30, 2025.

Compensation

Regis College offers a competitive compensation package, including relocation assistance, and a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The range identified for this role is $170,000-$210,000. The final determination of the selected candidate's actual pay is based on their experience and qualifications for the role. In this important leadership position, the successful candidate will have an active on-campus presence. Offers of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory results of a background check.

Weston, Massachusetts

Regis is located in Weston, Massachusetts, a suburban town located about twelve miles west of Boston. Weston is known for its picturesque landscapes, historic charm, and excellent public schools. The town consistently ranks among the top communities in the state and maintains a semi-rural atmosphere with large residential lots, over 2,000 acres of conservation land, and a strong emphasis on preserving its natural environment. With a population of around 11,000, Weston offers a quiet suburban community while still providing convenient access to Boston via several major highways and numerous public transportation options. Weston is located in the broader Metrowest area, a vibrant, innovation-driven region of Massachusetts with a strong tech and bio-tech presence. The region offers experiences for a wide variety of interests including numerous museums, performing arts centers and theaters, state parks and rail trails, and a wide variety of restaurants and shops, including a thriving lineup of seasonal farmers markets.

To Apply

NES, a national executive search firm specializing in higher education, is assisting Regis College with this search for a Vice President for Marketing and Communications. If you wish to have a confidential conversation about this opportunity or submit nominations, please contact: Liz Daly (elizabeth.daly@nessearches.com) or Catherine Capolupo (catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com). To apply, please send the following items: 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter of interest, and 3) contact information for five professional references by email to: regiscollege@nessearches.com. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically by July 29, 2026. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality, and candidates will be notified before references are contacted. The VPMC's anticipated start date is December 2026 or January 2027.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

In employment, as in education, Regis College is committed to equal opportunity. Regis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran's status, membership in uniformed services or any other protected status.