Chief Services Officer

What is VisionPoint?

VisionPoint is a full-service higher education marketing agency specializing in brand, enrollment marketing, and CRM support. We partner with colleges and universities nationwide to help them achieve their brand, marketing, and enrollment goals. Our portfolio features a range of award-winning campaigns and projects we showcase at national conferences annually. While we’re headquartered in Raleigh, NC, VisionPoint operates on a remote policy with full-time VisionPointers in all US time zones. Additionally, employees near our Raleigh, NC headquarters can leverage in-person, hybrid, and/or remote work options at their convenience.

The Position

We’re seeking a seasoned Chief Services Officer (CSO) to spearhead our service delivery (i.e. the agency’s product offerings). The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a proven track record in both agency settings and higher education enrollment marketing. The CSO is ultimately accountable for the agency’s consistent, exceptional delivery of service that accomplishes our clients’ goals, as well as the evolution and maturation of VisionPoint’s offerings as we innovate toward the future. VisionPoint’s Services Division comprises multiple departments and practice areas that represent our breadth of expertise in brand and enrollment marketing strategy, paid media, creative, SEO, CRM, analytics, and web services. Those departments are led by Directors or Vice Presidents who report to the CSO. The ideal candidate will therefore bring a deep and integrated understanding of the full-funnel marketing mix in a higher education context as they oversee and coordinate the service departments’ day-to-day activities. The CSO will foster collaboration, drive efficiency, and maintain the highest quality standards across each service department and in partnership with our Client Experience and Operations divisions (led by our Chief Client Officer and our Chief Operations and Finance Officer, respectively). As a key member of our executive team, this position will report directly to the CEO and work alongside the other division leaders driving company strategy, playing a critical role in solidifying our reputation as the most trusted agency partner in higher education marketing. 

What You’ll Do

Company/Executive Leadership

• Strategic Vision: Articulate a clear vision for the company's service offerings that aligns with market trends and client needs, ensuring we maintain a competitive edge in the higher ed industry.
• Thought Leadership: Serve as a subject matter expert within the higher education marketing industry, sharing insights and expertise both internally and also externally via conferences, blog posts, and other thought leadership initiatives.
• Business Development: Collaborate with our business development team to identify new business opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and participate in industry events to expand our client base and network.
• Financial Performance: Drive operational efficiency and profitability by overseeing budgets, resource allocation, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the service division.
• Executive Team Collaboration: Actively participate in executive team meetings and contribute to strategic decision-making that impacts the overall direction of the company.
• Culture and Talent Development: Contribute to our positive and inclusive company culture that attracts and retains top talent, while investing in employee development and training programs.

Service Division Leadership

• Operational Excellence: Oversee the operations of all teams within the service division, ensuring efficient workflow, adherence to deadlines, and high-quality deliverables.
• Client Satisfaction: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients as needed, proactively addressing their needs and ensuring our work exceeds their expectations.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of high-performing Directors and Vice Presidents, providing guidance, support, and opportunities for growth and development.
• Innovation: Encourage a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the service division, exploring new technologies, delivery methods, and offerings to enhance market demand and the quality and performance of our services.
• Process Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to streamline workflows, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster collaboration and communication across different departments within the agency to ensure seamless project execution and client satisfaction.

Who You Are

Background and Skills

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a leadership role within a marketing agency, with a proven track record of managing complex projects and teams.
• Minimum 5 years of experience within a higher education institution, demonstrating a deep understanding of the service offerings involved in enrollment marketing operations.
• Deep understanding of the full spectrum of VisionPoint’s service offerings, including integrated strategy, paid and organic media, creative development, CRM, analytics, and web development.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and client partners alike.
• Experience leading organizational change and adapting to evolving industry trends.
• A track record of delivering measurable results and exceeding expectations.
• Demonstrates a deep commitment to and alignment with our Vision Points (our core values).

A Quick Note
Research shows that people from underrepresented identities often hesitate to apply for job opportunities if they feel they do not fulfill all of the listed qualifications. VisionPoint Marketing is committed to building a diverse and inclusive work environment and believes that skills are cultivated through a range of experiences. Even if your past work doesn’t meet all of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply if you are enthusiastic about this opportunity!

VisionPoint Culture

At VisionPoint, we believe that a strong culture is as much a valued benefit as health insurance, PTO
and 401k. That’s why it’s important to us that future team members connect with — and contribute to — our culture. Our communication, collaboration, satisfaction, and growth are largely dependent upon how we all, as individuals, embrace and live out our values. We have a laser focus on knowing, providing solutions for, and advancing higher education because of its transformative power in the world. We believe in the work we do, we support each other, we work hard, and we like to have a bit of fun, too. When it comes right down to it, happy and fulfilled team members produce better work, and better work is what drives us every day.