Director of Marketing & Communications - SEM Job at University of North Georgia

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the university's signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Location

Dahlonega

Job Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications who will provide strategic and creative marketing and communications leadership for all aspects of undergraduate recruitment, cadet recruitment and graduate admissions. The Office of Strategic Enrollment Management comprises the offices of financial aid, scholarships, undergraduate admissions, undergraduate recruitment, and graduate admissions. As a member of the Enrollment Management senior leadership team, the director provides strategic communication direction to the VP and other senior leaders and assistance with media engagement.

Responsibilities

* Provide visionary and operational leadership in communication strategy for undergraduate recruitment, cadet recruitment, graduate recruitment and financial aid through initiatives that are contemporary, on brand message, relevant, and serve to provide greater visibility of the university to prospective students.

* Design a strategic, goal based, data-driven marketing and communications plan in alignment with the vision of the university, and the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management. Drive the implementation of the plan across multiple channels, website, social media, and other digital platforms, collateral development, and advertising.

* Conduct market and peer research, plan and execute efforts that deliver effective culturally relevant communication to prospective first-year and transfer students, their families, influencers such as school counselors and transfer advisors, and other stakeholders that elevate the UNG brand.

* Leverage technology utilizing a variety of platforms and mediums including best practices in social media, web design/development integration, email, demand generations and others within higher education and preferably enrollment management with an eye to the future. Evaluate and assess the use of technology, both current, and new, to maximize and track prospective student engagement.

* Cultivate data-driven, high-impact, and results-oriented marketing practices in order to enroll an increasingly high-achieving and diverse student body across academic disciplines.

* Strengthen partnerships to develop multi-year messaging designed to generate a diverse undergraduate applicant pool, manage enrollment, and support students particularly through matriculation. Assist with pipeline development for first-generation, low-income, rural, and historically underrepresented groups, particularly Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx. Establish metrics-oriented accountability through analytics to ensure continuous improvement of activities and alignment with enrollment goals.

* Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external vendors, including advertising agencies, digital marketing firms, photographers, and other third-party providers, in conjunction with the Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing to enhance marketing campaigns and outreach efforts. Ensure collaboration aligns with organizational goals, effectively manages budgets, leverages partner expertise, and optimizes resources to achieve enrollment targets and brand visibility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

* Deep understanding and appreciation of and commitment to the issues, needs, and values associated with enrollment at a large public research institution.

* Exceptional written and oral communication skills and experience writing for multiple mediums.

* Demonstrated ability to oversee the management of multiple complex projects and deliver them on-time and on-budget. This includes working with program budgets that are housed within the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management units.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor Degree

* Five plus years of progressively responsible higher education communications/marketing experience in an enrollment management environment or related experience.

* Expertise in branding, social media, mobile marketing, marketing analytics, CMS Software, social listening software, market research, web design, SEO strategy, and search ads.

* Depth of experience in multi-platform message development, data analysis, and strategic marketing and communications.

* Demonstrated experience with customer relationship management systems (CRMs) for use in multi-channel marketing campaigns. Prior experience with Slate CRM is a strong plus.

* Experience in leveraging new technologies to maximize student engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

* Master's degree in a related field preferred

Required Documents to Attach

* Resume, Cover letter, and Transcripts

* Contact information for three professional references

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at https://ung.edu/about/mission-vision-values.php

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of North Georgia, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex or national origin, age, disability, religion, genetics or veteran status. Georgia is an open records state. Also, UNG is a federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.

This position has financial responsibilities.

This position will be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

* Position of Trust + Education