Website Aga Khan University
Aga Khan University
Job Opportunity
Position: Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMCO)
Reference: 4719BR
Organization: Aga Khan University (AKU)
Location: Multiple Regions
Application Deadline: 19 April 2026
Sector: Social Development
Salary: Competitive package to attract top talent
About Aga Khan University (AKU)
Aga Khan University (AKU) is a globally recognized international university and healthcare provider, committed to excellence in:
- Education
- Clinical care
- Research
- Community engagement
Operating across three continents and six countries—Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan—AKU delivers impactful programs through:
- Academic faculties
- Teaching hospitals
- Research platforms
- Development initiatives
AKU is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and is a leader in advancing education and healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Position Overview
AKU invites applications for the role of Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMCO)—a senior executive leadership position reporting to the President (or designate).
The CMCO will:
- Define and lead the University’s global marketing and communications strategy
- Ensure institutional priorities are translated into clear, credible, and high-impact engagement strategies
- Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership
- Lead a globally distributed communications function
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Brand & Market Leadership
- Develop and manage a unified institutional brand architecture
- Define positioning frameworks and audience strategies
- Ensure consistent messaging across all campuses and platforms
2. Strategy & Governance
- Develop multi-year marketing and communications strategies
- Establish KPIs, performance frameworks, and ROI models
- Implement governance standards and operational policies
3. Executive & Reputation Advisory
- Advise the President and leadership on communications strategy
- Lead crisis communication and issues management
- Monitor and mitigate reputation risks
4. Media & Public Engagement
- Build and manage senior-level media relationships
- Lead media strategy for major announcements and initiatives
- Oversee spokesperson frameworks and media readiness
5. Digital Strategy & Performance
- Lead digital marketing, website, and social media strategy
- Strengthen analytics and performance tracking systems
- Drive innovation in digital engagement and outreach
6. Stakeholder & Internal Communications
- Design internal communication frameworks across:
- Faculty
- Staff
- Students
- Align messaging across departments and campuses
7. Content & Creative Direction
- Define content strategy and storytelling standards
- Oversee campaigns, publications, and multimedia production
- Ensure message clarity, quality, and audience relevance
8. Leadership & External Representation
- Represent AKU in external forums and partnerships
- Support institutional visibility and strategic collaborations
9. Market Intelligence & Innovation
- Lead brand perception and stakeholder insight research
- Integrate insights into strategy and decision-making
- Drive adoption of emerging technologies, including:
- AI-driven analytics
- Digital communication tools
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- Advanced degree in:
- Communications
- Marketing
- Journalism
- Public Affairs or related field
- Professional certifications in leadership, digital strategy, or branding (preferred)
- Extensive senior leadership experience in communications, marketing, or public affairs
- Experience in:
- Higher education
- Healthcare
- Development or mission-driven organizations (strongly preferred)
Leadership & Functional Expertise
- Proven success in leading enterprise-wide communications strategies
- Strong expertise in:
- Media relations
- Crisis communication
- Reputation management
- Experience managing multi-location, high-performing teams
- Ability to advise executive leadership effectively
Capabilities & Attributes
- Strong judgment in high-stakes environments
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
- Global mindset with cross-cultural leadership capability
- Strategic thinker with strong execution focus
Why This Role Matters
This is a high-impact executive opportunity to shape the voice, visibility, and global reputation of a respected international institution.
The CMCO will:
- Influence how AKU is perceived and trusted worldwide
- Lead a major communications and marketing function
- Oversee a significant institutional budget
- Play a central role in advancing AKU’s mission and global impact
About the Institution
Chartered in 1983, AKU is a private, autonomous international university with:
- 13 teaching sites across 6 countries
- Nearly 2,500 students and 14,000 staff
- 7 hospitals (soon expanding to 8)
- Over 325 outreach clinics
The University is widely recognized as both:
- A model of academic excellence
- An agent of social change
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official recruitment platform before the deadline.
📅 Deadline: 19 April 2026
How to Apply:
To submit your application, please follow the link provided below.
To apply for this job please visit krb-xjobs.brassring.com.