Assistant Director for Marketing and Strategic Communications

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

1d • $56,123 - $62,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director for Marketing and Strategic Communications serves as an embedded Unit Communicator within the Division of Student Affairs Marketing & Communications (MarComm) shared services team, with primary responsibility for supporting University Housing. This position provides strategic, coordinated marketing and communications support for Housing while operating within divisional and institutional standards, processes, and governance structures. Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Affairs Marketing & Communications, the Assistant Director partners closely with University Housing leadership, MarComm colleagues, and University Relations (UREL) to ensure Housing communications align with divisional priorities, university branding, and approved messaging. The role leads comprehensive communications efforts across the student housing lifecycle, including recruitment and yield communications for prospective students and families, resident engagement communications, social media strategy, website management, parent and family communications, and crisis messaging. The position also oversees 3-5 student employees supporting Housing marketing and communications initiatives. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Graphic Design, Higher Education, Business, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience providing strategic marketing and communications leadership within a complex organization, higher education environment, or similarly matrixed setting
• Proven experience managing integrated communications efforts across multiple channels, including print, web, social media, email, photography, video, and digital platforms
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and executing year-round communication campaigns targeting prospective students, current residents, and families
• Experience managing communications in housing, enrollment, orientation, student affairs, or related higher education environments
• Experience using client-relationship management systems such as StarRez to create and manage automated email workflows and communication dashboards
• Experience with supervision

Responsibilities

• Serves as an embedded Unit Communicator within the Division of Student Affairs Marketing & Communications (MarComm) shared services team, with primary responsibility for supporting University Housing.
• Provides strategic, coordinated marketing and communications support for Housing while operating within divisional and institutional standards, processes, and governance structures.
• Partners closely with University Housing leadership, MarComm colleagues, and University Relations (UREL) to ensure Housing communications align with divisional priorities, university branding, and approved messaging.
• Leads comprehensive communications efforts across the student housing lifecycle, including recruitment and yield communications for prospective students and families, resident engagement communications, social media strategy, website management, parent and family communications, and crisis messaging.
• Oversees 3-5 student employees supporting Housing marketing and communications initiatives.
• Creates and maintains photography libraries and content collection systems.
• Develops strategic communication plans that support the full student housing lifecycle, from admission and contracting through move-in, residency, and move-out.
• Builds integrated editorial calendars for social media, email marketing, web updates, and parent communications.
• Translates operational information into clear, timely, and student-centered messaging.
• Leads content gathering and storytelling efforts with residence hall staff and campus partners.
• Develops and maintains visual brand standards, stock photography libraries, and environmental communications.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• A choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level