Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, the Director of Marketing and Communications proactively ensures that the department remains innovative and collaborative in the execution of the university's strategic marketing plan. The Director oversees all aspects of Ashland University's integrated marketing communication efforts to increase the University's visibility, brand awareness, reputation and engagement with key internal and external partners, stakeholders, suppliers and vendors, with an emphasis on prospective students.
Provide leadership to the University's Marketing and Communications team and continue building a goal-oriented environment that empowers staff, fosters professional development and celebrates achievements in the areas of public relations, marketing, web services, print services, graphic design, photography and multi-media.
Create and implement an annual integrated marketing communications plan that supports the University's Strategic Marketing Plan to advance the university goals of enhancing undergraduate and graduate enrollment strategies, philanthropic activity, and institutional reputation.
Serve as the chief brand manager for the University, ensuring a common look, feel, and message from every area, in line with the University's Strategic Marketing Plan.
Direct, coordinate, and support the marketing, branding and communication efforts of the University's colleges, schools, programs, and departments to ensure brand and message consistency with university marketing strategies.
Engage audiences through creative ideas, strategic writing, editing, and publishing content to achieve desired results.
Provide direction for university social media channels, direct mail campaigns, electronic communications, digital and print advertising, and print collateral projects.
Serve as the managing editor of Ashland University publications including but not limited to Accent Magazine (alumni), the viewbook (admissions) and Eagle Talk (employee newsletter).
Direct, oversee and participate in content creation, design and continuing development of the University's websites, ensuring adoption and integration of appropriate new technologies to maximize information delivery and user engagement.
In conjunction with event sponsors across the University, effectively promote and manage general and enrollment events.
Use quantitative and qualitive data to evaluate the success and effectiveness of marketing initiatives and campaigns, adjusting strategies and tactics as needed to meet objectives, annual goals, and KPI's.
Allocate, monitor and track annual marketing budgets.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required in Marketing, Business or a related field
At least five (5) years of experience in marketing, communications or a related field
Higher education or marketing agency experience required
Leadership and staff supervisory experience required
Demonstrated leadership, team and project management, organizational, and operational skills with proven ability to handle multiple tasks and projects
Proven ability to develop, execute and measure the effectiveness of integrated marketing communications programs
Proficient with technology and its application, including digital and social media platforms
Skilled marketing writer with excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
Ashland University, ranked in the top tier of colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2017, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University places great emphasis on the importance of each individual. The phrase “Accent on the Individual” has been our motto for many years and, hopefully, characterizes well the nature and content of the campus environment. It means that our concern for the student extends beyond ensuring a quality education in the classroom and laboratory to include a commitment to provide a stimulating and supportive environment in every respect.Translating the ideas of our Mission Statement into the realities of everyday life is the responsibility of each Ashland University employee. These ideas must be evidenced daily in the classroom, residence halls, each teaching site, on the playing fields and in our interaction with others. It should be the goal of each Ashland University employee to ensure that our Mission Statement is not merely words on paper but a true reflection of who and what we actually are and intend to be in the future.
