Position Summary
The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) serves as the university’s principal strategist for institutional communications, brand management, public and media relations. Working closely with the campus head and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CCO will provide visionary leadership in crafting and executing integrated communication strategies that advance the university’s mission, reputation, and strategic priorities – particularly in light of TUJ’s continuous growth in student enrollment and the expansion to a new satellite campus in Kyoto.
The CCO oversees all aspects of external and internal communications, including media relations, digital and social media, crisis communication, and institutional branding, marketing, and content strategy. This includes direct responsibility for advertising campaigns, university website management, and the development and production of key publications such as brochures, flyers, postcards and other promotional materials. The communication efforts must be grounded in data and informed by market research, ensuring strategies are evidence-based and responsive to evolving trends and audience needs.
As TUJ is an overseas campus of Temple University, the CCO must communicate effectively and coordinate closely with Temple University’s Strategic Communications team at the main campus, particularly on institution-wide campaigns and branding efforts, to ensure alignment with the university’s overall messaging and brand identity.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, forward-thinking communications and marketing strategy aligned with the university’s mission, upcoming priorities, and evolving messaging channels.
- Provide strategic communications support for emerging areas of institutional growth and expansion.
- Advise the Dean and the Senior Leadership Team on communication and advertising strategies.
- Ensuring consistency in messaging across all platforms.
- Assist the Dean and other members of the Senior Leadership Team for the preparation of any media or public engagements.
- Advancing student recruitment goals by developing effective communication strategies and producing compelling media content in close collaboration with Enrollment Management and other programs offices.
- Develop and track KPIs to measure the impact of communications strategies on institutional goals, including enrollment, reputation, engagement, and media reach.
Institutional Branding and Storytelling
- Advance TUJ’s story and brand identity by crafting and ensuring consistency, compelling messaging across all internal and external communication channels.
- Develop and implement strategic plans to elevate TUJ’s visibility, reputation, and influence both within Japan and internationally.
- Monitor and document key institutional milestones, producing high impact materials that showcase TUJ’s progress and achievements.
Media Relations & Public Affairs
- Cultivate strong relationships with regional, national, and international media outlets to elevate institutional visibility and branding.
- Develop and oversee proactive media outreach strategies through targeted and effective communication channels.
- Support external relations as TUJ communicates with governmental, diplomatic, and regulatory entities, ensuring TUJ’s interests are effectively represented.
- Develop crisis communication plans and help lead communication efforts during emergencies or reputational challenges.
Advertising and Digital Strategy
- Design robust marketing and digital engagement strategies, including an integrated model of advocacy across university website, traditional advertising mediums, social media channels, and any other emerging media platforms.
- Leverage analytics to evaluate strategy effectiveness, optimize content, and inform future campaigns.
Team Development & Management
- Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team in communications, public relations, advertising, creative and digital media services.
- Promote a collaborative and innovative culture that prioritizes excellence, accountability, and multi-cultural communication.
Stakeholder Communications
- Assist with internal stakeholder engagement strategies during institutional transitions and growth initiatives.
- Enhance senior leadership’s internal communications by drafting key messages, speeches, and announcements for internal audiences.
- Evaluate and restructure the Communications Department’s reporting lines to better support institutional priorities and enhance team performance
Multicultural and International Communications
- Because TUJ operates in a multicultural and bilingual environment, the CCO must effectively manage communications across cultural and national boundaries with TUJ and the greater Temple community.
- Coordinate communications and branding efforts with Temple University’s main campus and other global locations to ensure alignment and leverage university-wide campaigns.
Other Support Areas
- Lead the Communications Department in delivering media and marketing support for institutional advancement events, including Commencement, fundraising campaigns, alumni engagement initiatives, and high-profile special projects.
- Monitor trends and best practices in higher education communications, both domestically and overseas, and incorporate innovative approaches to enhance the university’s visibility and impact.
The Person
Pivotal Experience & Expertise
- External Communications Experience – Experience managing comprehensive strategic external communications strategy leveraging both traditional and leading-edge approaches. Proven capabilities in targeting and influencing multiple groups of stakeholders.
- Digital Communications – Experience with digital communications initiatives and tools including website and social media. Adept at leveraging each for maximum reach and impact.
- Team Leadership – Experience building, motivating and developing a high-performing team.
- Global Experience / Mindset – Experience within a global organization, working with stakeholders in both a Japanese and global context.
Leadership Capabilities
The Chief Communications Officer will demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking, creativity, and communication expertise, including a deep command of digital media and marketing. They will possess the personal drive, passion, and enthusiasm to shape and deliver a compelling narrative, while successfully navigating an evolving and competitive landscape. In addition, they must exemplify the following key characteristics and capabilities:
- For the Communications function, sets organization-wide, market leading vision, strategy and direction.
- Mobilizes the entire communications organization and other key stakeholders across the leadership team.
- Generates and inspires transformative ideas.
- Stimulates, encourages and motivates creative thinking.
- Develops, invests in, and implements new ideas.
- Drives and encourages cross-functional collaboration
Agility & Potential
- Has a structured approach for collecting and assimilating others’ feedback.
- Shows courage and boldness in acquiring knowledge.
- Conveys deep empathy and understanding
- Flexes a broad set of leadership styles in varied situations / contexts.
Culture Impact
The CCO must navigate diverse cultures, crafting inclusive communications that resonate globally while maintaining a consistent brand “voice” while fostering trust with all stakeholders.
Qualifications & Experience (Required)
- Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, media, marketing, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, preferably within education or a similarly complex organization.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate intercultural communication and lead bilingual messaging strategies in a globally diverse environment.
- Expertise in institutional storytelling, media relations, strategic communications planning, internal communications, digital and social media strategy, and crisis management.
- Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally.
- Superior writing and storytelling abilities that articulate and advance the university’s vision and strategic direction.
- Proven track record in setting and executing strategic communications plans, along with strong project management capabilities.
- Experience navigating sensitive issues and managing crisis communications with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
- Demonstrated leadership in managing teams, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and balancing multiple high-level priorities.
- Native or near-native proficiency in both English and Japanese. (May consider an exceptional candidate who is not bilingual, but who has extensive experience.)
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends for university events as required.
Qualifications & Experience (Preferred)
- Experience working closely with senior executive leadership.
- Deep understanding of evolving media landscapes, digital engagement trends, and branding strategies, particularly within the context of U.S. and Japanese higher education.
- Proven success in leading high-impact media relations efforts and institutional brand positioning campaigns.
- Strong background in planning and executing large-scale events and institutional initiatives.
- Familiarity with best practices in institutional advancement, alumni engagement, and multi-channel outreach.
