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Utah State University

Director/Assistant Director of Marketing Communications

Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States, 84321

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Marketing Communications Director/Assistant Director

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing, the Director/Assistant Director of Marketing Communications is a newly created position to support the ambitious growth of USU Advancement fundraising and alumni engagement. This represents a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned marketing communications professional to be part of a highly productive team. The position will be hired as either an Assistant Director (Marketer II) or Director (Marketer III) based upon depth of education/experience and duties assigned. (See Minimum Qualifications section below.) The Director/Assistant Director is tasked with a diverse set of responsibilities, so it is important for the person in this position to be flexible, proactive, and decisive with a well-rounded mix of experience in writing and editing marketing and donor solicitation content, compiling and analyzing marketing data, and managing creative campaigns. We are a small team producing fundraising and alumni marketing communications projects for all colleges and units across the university, so we need a Director/Assistant Director who is extremely organized and collaborative, able to research each subject area they will be writing about, and willing to proactively take on complex, multifaceted projects, and see them through to completion. This position will own creative marketing and donor solicitation content writing for print and digital, as well as manage the scripting and storyboarding for fundraising and engagement video production projects. A strong background in writing and editing persuasive creative content across multiple communications platforms are required, along with the ability to think critically and make data-driven decisions about audience and placement. Collecting and interpreting marketing data (especially digital advertising), and adjusting communications accordingly, will be crucial. The Director/Assistant Director works closely with the entire University Advancement staff in elevating Utah State University through philanthropy and engagement, so you will be asked to juggle a wide variety of requests with competing deadlines. You will be expected to execute individual tasks side-by-side with co-workers as well as manage projects, so organizational and time management skills are important. We are looking for a team member who has proven experience anticipating opportunities and reacting swiftly in moments that matter. If you have a passion for writing and refining marketing and donor solicitation messaging, collecting and analyzing data, uncovering new marketing angles for greater outcomes, and developing thought-provoking content, please apply! This is not an entry-level or remote position. Responsibilities

Creative and Strategy Take the lead on writing and editing persuasive donor solicitation and marketing communications for print, website, digital advertising, and social media projects and campaigns that authentically connect with our audiences, including donors, alumni, friends, and community leaders. Maintain high standards of originality and creativity while ensuring owned and edited written content fit the intention of the communication. Ensure all marketing and solicitation content is on-brand, accurate, impactful, engaging, and strategic. Adapt content for best use and greatest impact across communication platforms. Strategically navigate the complexities of a statewide institution with multiple campuses and programs, ensuring that all marketing and donor solicitation efforts align with USU Advancement's values, mission, and goals, as well as the university's strategic plan. Digital Marketing and Data Analytics Own, compile, and analyze all marketing outcome data (especially digital advertising) to help adjust ongoing campaigns and inform future advertising spending. Make decisions on digital marketing budget allocations based on data-driven approaches and continuous optimization of marketing strategies. Present analytics monthly and on an as-needed basis. Continually develop knowledge base and understanding of digital advertising best practices. Oversee the management of digital marketing requests and assets. Collaboration and Leadership In partnership with the AVP, the director/assistant director will help manage the overall marketing content strategy and workflow, ensuring alignment and coordination between written and visual marketing efforts in print and on websites, social media, and other digital platforms and campaigns. Serve as a connector, not only between teams, but within projects, thoughtfully creating cohesive marketing content and donor solicitation messaging that flows seamlessly between each piece produced and platform utilized. Work collaboratively with advancement and alumni team to assemble disparate information and generate written content that is cohesive and aligns with intended goals. Serve as department co-lead in the absence of the AVP. Supervise and mentor the Social Media Manager position

and possible future marketing positions

cultivating a work environment that fosters belonging, ownership, and skill development, and ensures job duties and goals are met. Assist Social Media Manager in establishing metrics and goals for tracking social media and paid digital marketing reach and impact, ensuring content is optimized to build engagement and continues to align with advancement priorities. Organization and Planning Develop and implement comprehensive marketing plans and ensure the cohesive execution of marketing campaigns across platforms, maintaining consistent, clear, and impactful messaging. Manage the production of marketing publications, donor solicitations, and other donor- and alumni-facing content, utilizing the project management system. Critically review, edit, and proof marketing and donor solicitation content for purpose and impact, as well as errors and appropriate language. Ensure website information is up to date by regularly reviewing and editing content. * Additional duties as assigned. Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: The position will be hired at either the

Assistant Director (Marketer II)

or

Director (Marketer III)

level based upon duties assigned and depth of education/experience.

For an

Assistant Director (Marketer II) : Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, English, or related field plus two years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required. Experience should include creating original written content for marketing and solicitations; developing, executing, and measuring digital marketing strategies; and managing creative projects and campaigns using a project management system.

For a

Director (Marketer III) : Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, English, or related field plus four years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required. Experience should include creating original written content for marketing and solicitations; developing, executing, and measuring digital marketing strategies; and managing creative projects and campaigns using a project management system. Leadership Experience. For Both Levels: A strong creative writer who can work quickly and create robust, meaningful content, sometimes based on little information, is an absolute necessity. Must be a strategic marketing professional with a clear communication style and good judgement with experience building brand presence and creating content that engages and builds affinity. Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills with the ability to identify opportunities and write succinctly and persuasively. Experience developing digital marketing strategies, analyzing data, and presenting metrics. Experience creating, executing, evaluating, and reporting on integrated marketing projects and solicitation campaigns. Preferred Qualifications: Experience writing and editing content that drives non-profit and philanthropic/giving strategies. Possess a mix of multiplatform (print, web, social, and digital marketing) content creation expertise. Experience in Google search and display advertising. Google certification a plus. Experience overseeing social media in a professional capacity. Possess advanced marketing data analytics skills. Experience using a project management system. Demonstrated track record of success in leading, mentoring, and inspiring staff to achieve goals. Some experience with, or knowledge of, Adobe Creative Suite beneficial. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Multitalented writer. Ability to adapt written content for multiple platforms. Conscientious editor with exceptional attention to detail. Experience gathering and organizing diverse information and connecting dots to write cohesive and impactful solicitation and marketing communication pieces. Ability to manage complex marketing communication projects. Understanding of the nuances of each marketing platform (print, web, social, and digital marketing) and the appropriate content and presentation method for each. Strategic thinker who can innovate across diverse communication platforms. Possess strong