Senior Regional Marketing Manager, Burr Ridge/ Chicago, IL

If youre passionate about building a better future for individuals communities and our countryand youre committed to working hard to play your part in building that futureconsider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online competency-based degree programs WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century one that has received praise from academic industry government and media leaders. Whatever your role working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 311

Pay Range: $97100.00 - $145600.00

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Leads data-driven decision-making by analyzing synthesizing and reporting on regional marketing outcomes to measure impact and optimize strategy ensuring insights drive strategic recommendations and continuous as a key strategic partner to the schools and regional supporting teams proactively identifying opportunities to enhance regional impact through informed marketing initiatives.
• Drives operational efficiency and service excellence by developing and leading initiatives that optimize processes improve performance and elevate regional marketing effectiveness.
• Holds full accountability for assigned projects ensuring strategic execution alignment with institutional goals and measurable results.
• Leads the development and execution of a hyper-local regional marketing strategy that aligns with the goals of the schools Academy and Craft Educationensuring initiatives are tailored impactful and data-informed.

• Partners with the Regional VP and other leaders to build a strong team culture while leading marketing strategy development.

• Leverages expertise to align cross-functional efforts drive alumni engagement and enhance community impact.

• Manages regional marketing budget
• Leads brand building and lead generation efforts in partnership with central marketing teams including Integrated Marketing (Media Brand Creative) and Marketing Operations (SEO Web Ops Email and Project Management) ensuring alignment with regional goals and enterprise strategy. Serves as a key marketing stakeholder in partnership with the Strategic Partnerships team to shape and support regionally driven initiatives ensuring strategic alignment and impactful marketing execution. Acts as a strategic contributor alongside regional leaders in Government Relations Advancement Strategic Partnerships and Communications to co-develop and implement integrated outreach plans that support key institutional priorities. Builds localized media relationships with a thorough knowledge of media channels and media buying as the regional/DMA level media subject matter expert.
• Responsible for effective planning and execution of localized marketing tactics and campaigns to influence key regional audiences. Coordinates team efforts with region-based External Communications (PR) Government Relations and Alumni teams; helps orchestrate an overall market plan that includes tactics from each of these areas
• Drives regional state and DMA level forecasting reporting and root cause analysis within the region; coordinate efforts with College & Program Marketing to drive insights at the intersection of geography audiences and program offerings.
• Establishes and continually refine geography- and audience-specific messaging that powerfully communicates WGUs positioning attributes and proof points in tailored culturally appropriate ways.
• Builds and inspires emerging marketing leaders through coaching and mentorship fostering professional growth and strengthening overall team impact. Provides strategic guidance coordination and dotted-line leadership to cross-functional teams and local marketing partners within the region to ensure the successful execution of regional marketing initiatives. Influence without direct authority to align stakeholders drive collaboration and ensure alignment with overall business and brand objectives.

Qualifications

• Significant client or key stakeholder management experience.
• Executive-level communication ability. Must be able to clearly and persuasively communicate both verbally and in writing with staff at all levels of the university.
• Drive and ability to influence others to act without direct reporting authority.
• Methodical systematic and highly organized
• Highly organized and methodical with exceptional project and time management skills; adept at prioritizing multiple initiatives in dynamic environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator capable of building strong relationships across contributors and teams including C-level executives
• Deep expertise across a wide range of marketing disciplines including traditional and digital media SEO content brand development creative paid media social events and analytics.
• Innovative and inclined to explore new approaches via constant learning and optimization
• Strong critical thinker capable of making smart judgments under pressure
• Ability to manage time and resources for multiple projects at one time
• Exceptional research analytical and critical thinking skills with an ability to source and synthesize a variety of data sources to create actionable strategies
• Advanced research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data assess market trends and competitive dynamics and develop actionable strategies.
• Experience operating in a disaggregated marketing model; able to make decisions and drive business forward in a highly complex multi-faceted organization
• Success working across marketing disciplines including brand development creative paid media social media interactive products email field marketing PR and analytics
• Comfort working as part of a hybrid in-person/remote team
• Proven collaborator with a successful track record of leading and executing complex cross-functional initiatives that drive strategic outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage executive stakeholders synthesize complex information and present clear actionable recommendations.
• Innovative and inclined to explore new approaches via constant learning and optimization
• Ability to manage time and resources for multiple projects at one time

• Demonstrated success in leading diverse teams including hiring coaching and managing individual contributors and people leaders to achieve performance targets.

• Bachelors degree in marketing communications or related field required

Experience

• 7 years of marketing domain experience including a broad range of tactics (i.e. television (DRTV OTT CTV) OOH print radio and digital audio conferences/events partner marketing video display social media email SEM and website
• Budget management experience including responsibility for marketing budgets Extensive data and Analytics experience to include deep knowledge of working with Excel Tableau Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics

Preferred Qualifications

• Media buying experience
• Marketing budget management of $5M
• Multicultural marketing experience
• Industry experience in higher education and/or areas relevant to WGU colleges (e.g. business healthcare K12 education IT)
• Masters degree

Working Conditions

• Some travel required (up to 10%)

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical dental vision telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual 11 paid holidays and other paid leaves including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.