Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Details•San Diego, CA

17d•$5,860 - $6,733

About The Position

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego seeks a strategic, creative, and collaborative Associate Director of Marketing & Communications to advance the School’s visibility, brand reputation, and enrollment goals. This role leads SOLES-wide marketing and communication initiatives, including digital content strategy, brand management, and integrated campaigns that highlight the School’s academic programs, mission, and impact. The Associate Director will work closely with the various SOLES departments and USD’s central Marketing and Communications unit to execute integrated marketing campaigns and communication strategies that elevate the SOLES brand while driving awareness, engagement, and enrollment. The position also supervises student workers and coordinates with an external marketing vendor to ensure timely and consistent production of assets. This role is ideal for a mission-driven marketing professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can transform ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with prospective and current students, alumni, and community audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, higher education, or related field
Minimum 4 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, digital media, and/or enrollment-related marketing
Experience with creative software such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Demonstrated writing, editing, content creation and visual storytelling skills
Experience with strategic use of database software. Salesforce preferred.
Proficient experience and knowledge in Google Drive programs.
Experience working with CRM communications programs such as Constant Contact.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional Networking skills
Ability to navigate and manage data collection, entry, and analysis
Customer/Student Focus
Collaborative Team-Player
Initiative/Self-Motivated
Results Driven
Organized and Detail-Oriented
Digital and Visual Content Creator
Equity- Centered Practitioner
Demonstrates strong time-management skills
Manages projects with discipline, timelines, and accountability
Navigates digital platforms (CRM, CMS, social media) to support marketing goals
Uses analytics to inform strategic decisions and improve content performance
Develops consistent and impactful brand messaging across channels

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Five or more years of related experience preferred.
Experience in higher education, nonprofit marketing, or student-serving environments
Familiarity with CRM, CMS, email marketing platforms, digital analytics, or enrollment marketing tools
Experience supervising student employees or early-career staff

Responsibilities

Develop and implement integrated marketing and communication strategies that enhance SOLES’ visibility and support recruitment and enrollment goals.
Produce and oversee digital and print materials—including campaigns, web content, newsletters, social media, email messaging, and promotional assets.
Identify and elevate storytelling and media opportunities that highlight SOLES programs, people, partnerships, and outcomes.
Supervise student workers supporting content development, social media, and promotional activities.
Manage marketing workflows, timelines, and collaboration with external vendors to ensure on-brand, timely asset delivery.
Ensure all marketing activities align with USD brand standards and accessibility guidelines.
Steward the SOLES brand by ensuring consistent messaging, tone, and visual identity across School-level communications and recruitment materials.
Maintain communication workflows, templates, content calendars, and style guidelines that support distributed content creation across SOLES.
Provide reference tools, guidance, and periodic trainings to ensure SOLES faculty, staff, and units understand SOLES communication standards, updates, and processes.
Review materials developed by SOLES centers and institutes to ensure alignment with SOLES and USD communication standards; ownership and execution remain with those units.
Coordinate updates to SOLES website content and digital assets in partnership with USD’s central Marketing team and external vendors.
Analyze campaigns, communication channel performance, social media engagement and translate data into recommendations to revise content marketing strategy.
Work with Assistant Dean to conduct competitive market research to understand program positioning, student demographics and enrollment trends.
Develop KPIs and assist with collection and reporting of communication channel metrics to provide regular updates on the progress towards goals and initiatives.
Design and implement promotional strategies for SOLES recruitment events, signature gatherings, and community-facing initiatives.
Align event marketing efforts with SOLES messaging and brand standards.