Pomona College was incorporated in October 1887, by a group of Congregationalists who wanted to recreate "a college of the New England type" on the West Coast. Instruction began the next year in a small, rented house in the city of Pomona. By the 1920s, Pomona President James A. Blaisdell faced a difficult choice-to limit expansion to retain the college's unique character or allow growth and expand into a university. Under Blaisdell's guidance, the college chose a third path. Using Oxford and Cambridge as models, Pomona founded a consortium unlike any other in America.

Over the next 75 years, two graduate schools and four other undergraduate colleges joined Pomona as members of The Claremont Colleges, located on neighboring campuses, allowing cross-registration in the nearly 2,700 courses taught across the consortium, and sharing important facilities such as libraries. As such, Pomona offers both the advantages of a small liberal arts college and the resources of a university.

Today, Pomona enjoys a reputation as one of the most highly regarded and selective liberal arts colleges in the world. It also stands with a small number of institutions willing and able to admit students based entirely on academic achievement and promise without regard to ability to pay, and then to meet all demonstrated financial need of domestic students with no loans. Sixty-seven percent of students receive financial aid. Because of this institutional commitment, Pomona attracts some of the most highly qualified students in the country. Through an academically challenging curriculum, outstanding faculty, extraordinary students, and intimate size, Pomona provides an unparalleled environment for intellectual development and personal growth.

Pomona College is led by President G. Gabrielle Starr, a national voice on access to college for students of all backgrounds and on the future of higher education. Starr took office as the 10th president of Pomona College in 2017 with a track record of promoting greater access to higher education.

Opportunity Proposition

Join Pomona College as its Chief Communications Officer to champion higher education’s most compelling stories and shape its future. In this pivotal role, you will unify voices across a dynamic liberal arts community, lead the refinement and articulation of Pomona's brand identity, elevate Pomona’s national profile, and navigate high-stakes challenges with a resilient, collaborative leadership team. This is your chance to drive innovation, align institutional messaging, and amplify the unique impact of one of the world’s leading liberal arts colleges, all while shaping the communications function to fit your vision and align with the future needs of the college.

While crystalizing the voice of Pomona College, you will develop and foster strong relationships across key campus and community partners – understanding their key needs and how Communications can collaborate to solve for those needs. You will have the opportunity to unify the campus and refresh the way communications is coordinated and executed internally and externally. You will also have the unique opportunity to collaborate across The Claremont College Consortium and infuse the benefits of the consortium throughout communications strategies as well as align on key issues and policies across the consortium.

You will serve as a key leader within this prestigious institution at a significant time of transition within the higher education landscape and make an indelible mark on the institution for years to come.

Principal Responsibilities

The CCO, as a member of the President's Executive Leadership, will lead and advance the Communications and Marketing strategy and programs for Pomona College – aligning needs in partnership with admissions, advancement, faculty, athletics, etc. The CCO will ensure that a consistent message and image of Pomona is presented to all internal and external audiences.

The role will serve as advisor, influencer and enabler for enhanced communication initiatives, ensuring that an integrated and well-coordinated College-wide strategic communications program (including web, media, internal communications, external communications, executive communications public relations and events) leverages opportunities for all areas of the College.

Some of the core areas for opportunity include:

• Collaborative Leadership and Relationship Building

• Institutional Voice and Messaging

• Crisis & Issues Management

• Internal Communications

• Strategic Planning

• Strategic Assessment and Talent Development

• External Relations and Advocacy

• Institutional Identity and Impact

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To apply, please complete the form below and attach your resume and cover letter.