Associate Director of Brand & Marketing Communications

Job Description

As a UW employee you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Position Purpose

The Associate Director of Brand & Marketing Communications provides operational leadership and strategic oversight for the School of Nursings marketing communications function during a critical growth period. This role manages daily communications operations ensures editorial excellence across all platforms and coordinates marketing initiatives that enhance the Schools competitive positioning and recruitment success.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Marketing & Program Growth this position provides direct supervision to the Brand Manager while coordinating with the Project Manager and Communications Support role. The Associate Director serves as the quality assurance leader for all external communications and the primary liaison for implementing strategic marketing initiatives developed by the Director.

Position Complexities

This role requires immediate operational leadership during organizational transition managing both permanent team members and temporary project support. Success depends on establishing quality control processes building team cohesion and ensuring consistent brand execution while the team stabilizes and grows. The position demands flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities while maintaining high standards for all external communications.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Editorial Oversight (40%)

Direct Team Management

• Provide direct supervision and professional development for the Brand Manager including performance management goal setting and skill development

• Coordinate with the Project Manager and Communications Support on integrated communications initiatives and project timelines

• Establish clear role boundaries and workflow processes between team members to optimize efficiency and reduce overlap

• Foster a collaborative team environment while maintaining accountability for deliverables and quality standards

Editorial Excellence & Quality Control

• Review and approve all external communications marketing materials and digital content before publication to ensure university and school standards

• Establish and enforce editorial standards brand consistency guidelines and approval workflows across all communications channels

• Provide content strategy guidance to ensure messaging aligns with institutional strategic priorities and competitive positioning goals

• Serve as a final quality assurance checkpoint for recruitment materials program promotion and external brand representation

Strategic Communications Implementation (35%)

Marketing Campaign Execution

• Implement strategic marketing initiatives and campaigns developed by the Director ensuring tactical execution meets strategic objectives

• Coordinate integrated marketing campaigns across digital platforms print materials events and external communications

• Manage campaign timelines resource allocation and cross-functional coordination to ensure on-time on-budget delivery

• Monitor campaign performance and provide regular reporting on effectiveness engagement metrics and ROI to inform future planning

External Communications & Brand Management

• Oversee external brand consistency and reputation management across all school communications and marketing materials

• Coordinate with University Marketing & Communications (UMAC) to ensure alignment with institutional brand standards and messaging

• Manage crisis communications and sensitive messaging coordination with appropriate university stakeholders

• Ensure all communications reflect the Schools commitment to diversity equity inclusion and belonging while supporting competitive positioning

Process Development & Systems Management (25%)

Workflow Optimization & Process Improvement

• Develop and document standardized processes for content creation approval and publication across all communications channels

• Establish project management systems and tracking mechanisms to ensure accountability and timely delivery of all communications initiatives

• Create scalable workflows that accommodate both permanent team members and temporary project support during the transition period

• Implement feedback loops and continuous improvement processes to optimize team efficiency and output quality

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as primary communications liaison with academic programs admissions advancement and external stakeholders

• Coordinate communications support for Deans office initiatives special events and strategic institutional priorities

• Manage vendor relationships and external partnerships for photography videography and specialized marketing services

• Facilitate integration between the communications team and broader school strategic initiatives and planning processes

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Communications Brand Management or related field

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive marketing communications experience with demonstrated team leadership and management responsibility

• Proven editorial and content strategy expertise with a portfolio demonstrating successful brand management and campaign execution

• Experience managing creative teams including graphic designers content creators or marketing specialists

• Strong project management skills with experience coordinating complex multi-stakeholder initiatives in deadline-driven environments

• Advanced understanding of higher education marketing competitive positioning and recruitment communications best practices

• Demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback develop team members and maintain high-quality standards under pressure

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership and external stakeholders

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in higher education marketing enrollment management or academic communications

• Background in healthcare nursing or professional education environments

• Familiarity with the University of Washington brand guidelines systems and institutional culture

• Experience with content management systems marketing automation platforms and digital analytics tools

• Project management certification or formal training in team leadership and development

Success Metrics

• Successful team integration and performance improvement across all communications functions

• Consistent quality and brand compliance across all external communications and marketing materials

• Timely execution of strategic marketing initiatives with measurable impact on recruitment and engagement goals

• Effective coordination and workflow management during the organizational transition period

• Positive team development outcomes and improved operational efficiency

Working Conditions

• Hybrid position with occasional on-campus presence for team meetings and strategic planning sessions

• Collaborative environment requiring regular coordination with multiple departments and external partners

• Position requires flexibility to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining consistent output quality

• Opportunity to significantly impact organizational effectiveness during the critical growth and transition period

This position offers a significant opportunity to shape communications operations and team development while driving measurable impact on institutional recruitment and reputation goals during a dynamic period of organizational growth.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.