Director for Marketing

University of Washington • Tacoma, WA

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Washington Tacoma is seeking a Director for Marketing to lead the University's efforts in building reputation, deepening stakeholder engagement, and growing visibility. This role will translate UW Tacoma's mission and brand into compelling, audience-focused campaigns targeting prospective students, families, alumni, donors, and the greater community. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Branding & Communications, the Director will oversee an integrated marketing program across digital, print, and emerging channels. This position will supervise a Senior Designer and Senior Web Developer and collaborate with various campus units to ensure coordinated, brand-consistent, and measurable marketing activities. The University of Washington has a long-standing legacy of learning, innovation, and community building, and University Advancement supports this mission by fostering connections that drive pride, advocacy, and philanthropic support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, advertising, journalism or related field
• Five years of experience in marketing or related field.

Nice To Haves

• Proven success in integrated, multi-channel marketing and brand strategy.
• Experience leading, developing, and motivating high-performing marketing teams.
• Strong expertise in paid search, SEO, social media, programmatic advertising, and email marketing.
• Proficient in marketing analytics and translating data into actionable insights.
• Experience managing agencies, vendors, and marketing budgets.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Experience in higher education marketing, including recruitment, enrollment, or advancement communications.
• Knowledge of brand governance within large organizations or institutions.
• Proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., Drupal, WordPress) and digital analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an integrated, multi-channel marketing strategy aligned with UW Tacoma’s enrollment, fundraising, brand, and reputational goals.
• Create and manage annual marketing plans that translate strategy into clear priorities, target audiences, channel approaches, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as the primary marketing partner for the Office of Admissions, collaborating on strategy for undergraduate and graduate recruitment pipelines.
• Ensure all marketing efforts are consistent with UW Tacoma’s brand positioning and the broader University of Washington brand framework.
• Prioritize high-impact marketing initiatives and allocate team resources accordingly, balancing strategic long-term goals with urgent institutional needs to maximize measurable outcomes.
• Provide strategic counsel to campus leadership and serve on divisional and university-wide committees.
• Support institutional issues management and crisis response in partnership with campus leadership and Marketing & Communications.
• Brief, direct, and review creative assets, including copy, design, photography, and video, to ensure brand alignment and campaign effectiveness.
• Partner with the Director of Communications and creative staff to surface and develop compelling stories about UW Tacoma’s people, programs, and impact.
• Maintain quality and consistency across all marketing team deliverables, from paid ads to print collateral to vendor-produced work.
• Create content that reflects and celebrates UW Tacoma’s commitment to an inclusive, diverse campus community.
• Own UW Tacoma’s digital marketing presence with trusted vendor partners: paid search (SEM/PPC), SEO, generative AI answer engines, social media advertising, programmatic display, and email marketing.
• Set performance benchmarks, monitor campaign analytics, and produce regular reporting on reach, engagement, conversion, and return on investment.
• Use data-driven insights to continuously refine audience targeting, messaging, channel mix, and budget allocation.
• Oversee website marketing strategy in partnership with digital staff, ensuring content and UX support recruitment and brand goals.
• Actively identify and evaluate emerging marketing technologies — including AI-powered tools — that could enhance reach, personalization, or efficiency; pilot and implement where appropriate.
• Directly supervise and mentor marketing staff; establish clear priorities, timelines, protocols, and quality standards.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture where staff feel supported, challenged, and valued.
• Manage relationships with external agencies, media buyers, freelancers, and consultants; oversee scopes of work, contracts, and budgets.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Hybrid-work schedule with four days in the office and one day eligible for telework per week.
• Access to reliable transportation for local travel and willingness to travel when necessary.
• Outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

What This Job Offers

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