Director, Academic Affairs Digital Marketing and Operational Excellence

UCM • UCMO - Warrensburg, MO

22d • Onsite

About The Position

Develops and oversees the tactical and strategic coordination of academic content and program data of all digital program-based marketing for the Division of Academic Affairs. Reports to the Provost and supports the Division of Academic Affairs in achieving university-wide enrollment management goals. Coordinates the collection, accuracy, and alignment of academic program data and key selling points for all digital program-based marketing from academic departments in consultation with program coordinators, department chairs, college deans, dean of graduate studies, assistant vice provost for admissions and analytics, executive director of corporate relations, and vice provost for online and extended studies. Serves as the primary liaison between the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC), interfacing directly with the Assistant Vice President of Marketing. Collaborates with IMC to deploy strategies to increase public understanding of academic programs and strategic academic goals. Facilitates the achievement of specific goals and objectives of the University’s colleges by advising, in partnership with IMC, the academic community on marketing techniques and procedures. Ensures all academic marketing functions are aligned with UCM’s mission, positioning, and brand standards. Lead the mapping and assessment of departmental and cross-functional systems, processes, and workflows within the Division of Academic Affairs to identify opportunities for improved coordination, operational efficiency, system integration, and continuous improvement. Collaborate with relevant institutional partners to identify system dependencies, points of friction, and opportunities to strengthen processes and integrations that support institutional effectiveness and the student experience. Operating within a highly collaborative matrix structure, this role provides strategic leadership and coordination for Academic Affairs marketing priorities, bringing academic expertise, market intelligence, and program-level insights to the development of effective marketing strategies. The position works in close partnership with IMC, which maintains institutional responsibility for university-wide marketing and communications strategy, creative execution, and brand standards, to ensure Academic Affairs priorities are effectively positioned and advanced in support of institutional goals.

Requirements

• Master’s degree required in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience working in communications, public relations, or marketing required.
• Three (3) years of writing experience required.
• Progressive project management experience required.

Nice To Haves

• Business process improvement experience or certification preferred.
• Operational planning experience involving digital marketing and web-based projects preferred.
• Experience working within an academic or higher education environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all digital program-based marketing from academic departments, prioritized by college deans in consultation with the Provost, ensuring all efforts are aligned with UCM’s mission and strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate the intake and internal alignment of academic needs to inform the creation of IMC-developed marketing and communications plans for the University’s colleges to achieve recruitment and retention goals.
• Consult frequently with program coordinators, department chairs, college deans, dean of graduate studies, assistant vice provost for admissions and analytics, executive director of corporate relations, and vice provost for online and extended studies to identify marketing needs and develop specific goals for academic programs.
• Partner with the Associate Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Communication to provide academic insights, faculty perspectives and verified program data that inform the tactical direction, planning, and execution of academic marketing efforts, including digital marketing, social media, and web content.
• Analyze market research to understand the unique selling points of various academic programs and develop methods to evaluate the impact of marketing efforts.
• Monitor all digital academic content for academic accuracy, currency and alignment with institutional goals, while collaborating with IMC to ensure compliance with UCM style and brand standards.
• Communicate with campus partners to ensure accurate and timely completion of all creative services requests for the Division of Academic Affairs.
• Serve as a final approval for academic and factual accuracy on high-impact academic recruitment and retention marketing projects, while working with IMC for final approval regarding brand compliance, visual design and digital marketing strategy.
• Coordinate with the Director of University Communications and Media Relations on strategic Academic Affairs communications beyond program marketing, including executive messaging, institutional positioning, issues management, media relations and major university-wide announcements.
• Serve as the lead liaison between Academic Affairs and the IMC team to ensure timely and high-quality marketing products for academic programs.
• Work in cooperation with the Provost's office and college deans on strategic initiatives related to program growth and enrollment management.
• Participate in university committees as directed, such as the Enrollment Management Recruitment Council, representing the Division of Academic Affairs.
• Identify and bring forward opportunities to enhance or coordinate data collection and marketing processes across various academic offices.
• Lead cross-functional process and workflow improvement initiatives within the Division of Academic Affairs by mapping existing processes, identifying system dependencies, points of friction, and integration opportunities, and facilitating collaborative solutions that improve operational effectiveness and the student experience.
• Manage the budget allocated for academic program-based marketing initiatives.
• Identify and support professional development opportunities for academic marketing staff.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability
• 3 weeks paid vacation per year
• 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• retirement
• generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM

What This Job Offers

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