Director, Communications and Marketing

Strategic Leadership & Executive Communication

• Serve as the University’s chief communications strategist, advising the President's Cabinet on institutional messaging, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with admissions, advancement, athletics, academic departments, student life, and the office of spiritual and intercultural life to align messaging and campaign priorities.
• Develop executive-level communications including presidential messaging, board communications, crisis communications, speeches, and strategic announcements.
• Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with trustees, donors, alumni, media, faculty, staff, students, parents, and external partners.
• Translate complex institutional issues into clear, compelling, and mission-centered communications for diverse audiences.
• Provide communications counsel to senior leadership during periods of organizational change, crisis response, and strategic planning.

Strategic Marketing & Brand Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive University communications and marketing strategy aligned with institutional goals.
• Serve as the primary steward of the University's brand identity, messaging, and visual standards.
• Ensure consistent brand presentation across all academic, enrollment, advancement, athletics, and institutional communications.
• Monitor industry trends and recommend innovative marketing strategies to strengthen institutional visibility and competitiveness.

Enrollment & Advancement Collaboration

• Develop and maintain marketing dashboards that track enrollment funnel performance, campaign effectiveness, web analytics, social media engagement, and return on investments.
• Utilize digital marketing, email marketing, social media, content marketing, and advertising strategies to support enrollment growth.
• Analyze campaign performance and enrollment marketing metrics to improve effectiveness and return on investment.
• Support fundraising campaigns, major gift initiatives, and alumni engagement strategies through integrated communication plans.
• Demonstrate an understanding of enrollment management principles, advancement operations, and higher education marketing trends.

Communications & Public Relations

• Lead institutional communications efforts, including internal and external communications.
• Monitor institutional reputation through media monitoring, social listening, and stakeholder feedback.
• Develop and manage media relations strategies, news releases, crisis communications, and PR content.
• Serve as a primary communications advisor to University leadership.
• Coordinate institutional messaging during significant events, emergencies, or crisis situations.
• Work In partnership with Work Life Engagement on Staff and Faculty news and information communications aimed at employee engagement and culture improvement initiatives. 

Content Development & Storytelling

• Oversee the creation of compelling content that highlights student success, faculty achievements, institutional accomplishments, athletics, alumni engagement, and mission-centered initiatives.
• Direct production of digital and print marketing materials, publications, newsletters, web content, video, photography, and social media content.
• Ensure all communications reflect the University's Christian mission and values.

Digital Communications & Web Strategy

• Oversee University website strategy, content management, and digital user experience.
• Lead digital communication efforts including email marketing, social media, search engine optimization (SEO), Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO), and digital advertising.
• Develop and implement responsible and ethical AI strategies that improve efficiency, content creation, audience engagement, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with ADA accessibility standards, FERPA regulations, copyright laws, and industry standard digital communication practices.
• Utilize analytics to measure audience engagement and campaign effectiveness.
• Support campus-wide events, initiatives, and institutional priorities through coordinated marketing efforts.

Leadership & Budget Management

• Provide leadership and supervision to marketing, communications, creative services, digital media, and student staff as assigned.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects using formal project management methodologies.
• Coordinate relationships with advertising agencies, creative vendors, technology providers, photographers, videographers, and consultants.
• Negotiate contracts and evaluate vendor performance to maximize institutional return on investment.
• Manage departmental budgets, vendor relationships, advertising expenditures, and contracted services.
• Establish measurable goals, key performance indicators, and annual departmental priorities.