Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Chief Marketing & Communications Officers

The placement of Interim Chief Marketing and Communications Officers is an important part of ZRG The Registry’s work supporting colleges and universities during periods of transition and change. ZRG The Registry places experienced interim marketing and communications leaders at public colleges and universities, community colleges and state systems, and private institutions, including faith-based and minority-serving institutions.

As institutions face increasing competition for students, shifting public perceptions of higher education, evolving digital channels, and heightened expectations for clear and timely communication, experienced marketing and communications leadership has become increasingly critical. ZRG The Registry’s Interim Chief Marketing and Communications Officers bring deep expertise in institutional brand strategy, integrated marketing, enrollment and advancement communications, media and public relations, executive communications, digital strategy, crisis communications, and team leadership.

Our interim leaders quickly assess an institution’s communications and marketing priorities, strengthen alignment across key stakeholders, and provide the strategic leadership needed to maintain momentum, protect reputation, and position the institution for its next chapter.

A Proven Process

The Registry’s success in delivering the right interim leaders to the right institutions is built upon a proven, four-step process:

Getting to know you

We work closely with you to gain the knowledge and insight to find candidates who fit your goals. They will review materials and consult directly with your board chair, president and other key decision makers.

Drawing on experienced candidates

We offer a pool deep with talent. Our members are already vetted by and contracted to The Registry and can be ready on short notice to assume interim positions.

Managing the selection process

We help you make the right choice. A Registry principal will travel to campus with your chosen finalists to participate in a customized and collegial selection process. Excluding travel expenses, the process is pro-bono.

Tracking results

We help you manage expectations. A Registry principal will develop an expectations document that identifies your challenges and priorities and establishes accountability for your new interim administrator.

Testimonials

“I am indebted to [The Registry Interim] for creating a comprehensive enrollment plan that will continue to be used as a roadmap for our Admissions teams as they recruit for the next few years. This enrollment plan has also been a huge asset for our new Dean of Enrollment and Marketing as he transitions into his new role. [The Registry Interim] made a tremendous, positive difference. I am sure that he will add significant value to any institution that is looking for enrollment assistance.”

Elaine C. Collins, Ph.D.

President, Northern Vermont University

“In short, we were delighted with [The Interim’s] performance during her two years with us. She worked diligently to transform an outdated admissions operation into a state of the art approach to recruitment…This is the second time in three years that we have turned to the Registry for professional help with a major unit at the university and in both instances, we could not have been more successful…”

Richard Hurley

President, University of Mary Washington

“[The interim] was a steady hand while my Vice President of Enrollment was out on medical leave. [He] quickly gained the trust of the staff in Admissions and Financial Aid. They often shared with me that during the permanent Vice President’s absence that we couldn’t have found a better “fit” for our institution.”

Donald B. Taylor

President, Cabrini University

“[The Interim] met every goal we assigned him and came up with other things that we hadn’t thought of. He taught me and the entire campus a huge amount about enrollment management and set us on a path to higher performance in this area. He was also a wonderful mentor to our director of admissions and her staff members…We are a better campus for having had his services, and we will miss his monthly presence.”

Linda Schott

President, The University of Maine at Presque Isle

Registry Best Practices Define The Gold Standard

The Registry’s success matching the right interim executives to the right institutions is made possible by its burgeoning membership of more than 1,000 veteran executives; and is enhanced by the development of—and adherence to—the following six best practices for interim engagements:

All of The Registry’s preliminary work is pro bono—including the identification and selection of candidates.
Registry interim candidates have already been pre-qualified—and they are immediately available to be matched to the needs and requirements of your institution.
The Registry’s business model makes it possible for institutions to cap their overall costs at current budgetary levels for the duration of the interim engagement.
A Registry “Expectations Document” is collaboratively developed that defines the purpose, direction and desired outcomes.
The Registry is a membership-based organization, which preempts the need for expensive, time-consuming and potentially disruptive open-market interim searches.
For nearly 30 years, the Registry has provided the best talent—and its members have delivered the best results.

Value

The Registry offers the best pricing model—our fees are incurred on a monthly-only basis. They will be roughly equivalent to your institution’s established budget for salary and fringe benefits for the duration of our interim service.