Director of Marketing and Communications, Graduate School of Social Work

The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) is a vibrant community of scholars and teachers committed to advancing quality social work education and to meeting and upholding the standards and core values required by their accrediting body the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Schools curriculum research and community partnerships embody those principles via an intellectual collegial and supportive environment that fosters interdisciplinary and international educational opportunities. GSSW engages in collaborative research projects locally regionally nationally and internationally.

Position Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications develops executes and analyzes the marketing and communication strategy for the GSSW. The position is responsible for all marketing activities including content strategy digital advertising website strategy and maintenance user experience email communication and traditional communication for a variety of target audiences including prospective/admitted students alumni faculty/staff community members and other stakeholders. The Director of Marketing and Communications will work closely with the Universitys office of Marketing and Communications DU IT GSSW institutes and centers external vendors (including advertising and design firms) the Office of Enrollment and other stakeholders to maintain and build brand loyalty and awareness. The Director for Marketing and Communications will create effective processes to support the long-term communication objectives of the GSSW and the University of Denver. The position reports to the Associate Dean for Operations and supervises the Marketing and Communications Coordinator positions.

Essential Functions

• Develop implement and manage the marketing and communication strategy for the school including content strategy creative design and usability through communication channels including the schools website social media collateral and email.
• Work closely with all faculty to understand catalog and showcase areas of research and specialty. Build and execute a communications strategy to promote faculty work through GSSW channels.
• Develop monitor and analyze key performance indicators for communication and marketing efforts and tailor future efforts accordingly.
• Manage internal and external partners to drive engage and grow traffic acquire and retain subscribers and generate inquiries (leads).
• Manage external design firms and copywriters to creatively build and grow the GSSW brand and develop meaningful content and visual design for the school.
• Create and execute digital advertising plans in concert with an outside vendor and own the day-to-day relationship with the vendor and monitor the marketing budget to maximize return on investment.
• Hire Train and Manage all Marketing and Communications team members and assign tasks that align with the GSSW strategic communication plan.
• Pitch the impactful work of GSSW to the DU central Marketing and Communication office to expand local and national media coverage and reach. Serve as a unit subject matter expert for DUs central marketing office.
• Approve and guide the marketing and communication strategy and outreach process for GSSW institutes and centers office of community engagement office of career development office of field education and others.
• Create annual marketing and promotional plan for new student admissions including data-driven recruitment efforts paid ads social media placement texting and email campaigns for the entire enrollment funnel. Establish and build reports alongside the Office of Enrollment and utilize data to generate a lead scoring-strategy for inquiry outreach. Develop and execute innovative personalized digital experiences for GSSW target audiencesincluding the integration of a chatbot and behavioral-based content.
• Establish data governance across the school for customized outreach.
• Supervise the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications and Communications Coordinator
• Supervise train and mentor team members and foster their professional growth.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Skilled in developing creative and innovative communication and marketing strategies.
• Understanding branding importance and techniques and experience implementing branding via digital vehicles.
• Experience with and knowledge of social media sites tools and applications.
• Digital expertise in all related areas: SEM/SEO mobile responsive design website creation and governance.
• Basic graphic design skills with familiarity of graphic design software (Photoshop InDesign illustrator etc.).
• Ability to effectively communicate with and market to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to learn new content management systems and marketing tools.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects on schedule.
• Ability to analyze performance data and strong mathematical/analytical acumen.
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to effectively work in adapt to and manage change.
• Ability to provide exceptional service to both internal and external clients and stakeholders including responding promptly to issues and challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with peers direct reports and senior leaders in achieving objectives.
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills and the ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form.
• Solid competency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Business Administration or related field.
• 5 years of professional experience in marketing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Marketing Communications or related field.
• Digital Certifications: Google Adwords (Fundamentals & Search) Google Analytics.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In accordance with the Universitys flexible work policy this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) February 20 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 13.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $90000-$110000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.