Director of Marketing & Communications

Job Title:Director of Marketing & Communications

Department:Marketing

Supervisor: Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Schedule: Regular 12 mo. FT MF 8am5pm

Job Summary:

The Director of Marketing & Communications provides strategic leadership for Eastern Mennonite Universitys marketing and communications efforts. This role oversees and elevates the universitys brand identity amplifies its visibility and reputation and delivers cross-functional marketing plans that drive measurable results in support of enrollment advancement and institutional mission. The Director leads a talented collaborative team in telling EMUs storyone rooted in Anabaptist values of peace justice and communityto increasingly diverse audiences across platforms.

This position requires a visionary strategist who can translate data and institutional priorities into compelling consistent messaging and marketing campaigns. The Director is also responsible for managing departmental operations and supervision developing and executing strategic plans building strong campus partnerships and ensuring clear authentic communication both internally and externally.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Brand Leadership
  • Develop and implement a university-wide integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Shape and steward a cohesive brand identity translating EMUs Anabaptist heritage into accessible messaging for all audiences.
  • Lead institutional storytelling that reflects the universitys commitment to diversity inclusion academic excellence and service.
  • Increase awareness and reputation of EMU regionally nationally and within strategic markets through targeted data-informed campaigns.
• Departmental Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead and mentor a collaborative high-performing team including communications creative digital and project management functions.
  • Foster a culture of trust innovation and professional growth within the MarComm team.
  • Set and track clear performance goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for team members and major initiatives.
• Cross-Campus Collaboration
  • Partner with leaders across including but not limited to Advancement Admissions Academics Athletics and Student Life to develop customized marketing strategies that drive recruitment fundraising and engagement.
  • Serve as a key advisor to the Presidents Cabinet and Executive Leadership Team on communication strategy media positioning and crisis communications.
  • Coordinate messaging to ensure consistency across internal and external channels.
  • Digital Strategy & Audience Engagement
    • Direct EMUs digital marketing strategy including paid media SEO social media and web presence ensuring campaigns are inclusive and optimized for conversion.
    • Support and strengthen engagement strategies across prospective students donors alumni and community stakeholders.
    • Oversee market research and analytics to identify audience behavior assess competitive positioning and inform strategic decisions.
  • Media & Public Relations
    • Serve as supervise support university spokespeople including the president vice president for enrollment and faculty subject experts.
    • Build and maintain media relationships and direct EMUs response to media inquiries and public-facing issues.
    • Shape EMUs public narrative through proactive media strategy and placement.
  • Budget & Operations
    • Develop and manage the departments annual budget.
    • Prioritize resources effectively to support institutional goals and ensure long-term sustainability.
    • Oversee creative vendors consultants and strategic partnerships (including Letterpress Communications).
  • Additional Responsibilities
    • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the universitys mission and strategic plan.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Visionary leadership with demonstrated experience building strategic marketing plans that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Deep understanding of branding digital marketing enrollment marketing content strategy and reputation management.
• Proven ability to lead a high-performing team in a collaborative fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills across digital and traditional formats.
• Strong ability to market to and connect with diverse audiences across cultures geographies and generations.
• Experience managing large-scale campaigns and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills informed by data and industry trends.
• A proactive solutions-oriented mindset with high emotional intelligence.
• Adept at managing sensitive or high-stakes communications with clarity professionalism and empathy.

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in marketing communications or a related field required; Masters degree preferred. Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic marketing and communications. Demonstrated success in brand management digital engagement and campaign development. Higher education or mission-driven nonprofit experience is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work at a computer and communicate effectively by phone email and in person. Occasional travel required for conferences and off-campus be able to occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises 56 professional staff across marketing digital strategy content and project management. Responsibilities include hiring training performance evaluation and professional development.

Applicants should submit the following with the application:

• A current rsum
• A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position
• A digital portfolio showcasing relevant marketing work (e.g. campaigns branding social media content analytics or other projects). Please indicate your specific role and contributions for each example. For assistance with uploading the file please contact.