Director of Admissions Marketing & Communications - Western Washington University

Another Source

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Another Source is proud to partner with Western Washington University on a search for a Director of Admission Marketing & Communications to lead and evolve undergraduate enrollment marketing strategy - from first touch through enrollment. Located in Bellingham, WA, WWU offers a truly unique sense of place - nestled between the Salish Sea and the North Cascades, it’s a campus that naturally attracts students who value community, sustainability, and the outdoors. This role plays a key part in telling that story and connecting with prospective students. The Director will lead integrated admissions communications strategy, working closely with Enrollment, Financial Aid, and campus partners to build meaningful engagement. It’s a highly visible, hands-on role with the opportunity to shape messaging, leverage Slate, and help drive enrollment in a dynamic and evolving environment, while overseeing a team of two. The team is open to individuals stepping into their first Director role as well as seasoned leaders, particularly those who enjoy balancing strategy with execution in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. If this opportunity aligns with your experience and interests, we’d welcome the chance to connect with you. What you'll be doing Another Source’s client, Western Washington University, is recruiting a Director of Admissions Marketing & Communications to join their team in Bellingham, WA. This position is primarily on-site, with flexibility for a hybrid schedule depending on operational needs. A typical schedule is expected to include approximately three days per week in the office. Here’s a little about Western Washington University and the position they are recruiting for: Western Washington University is seeking a Director of Admissions Marketing & Communications to lead strategy and execution for undergraduate enrollment marketing across the student lifecycle - from recruitment through enrollment. This role will play a critical part in aligning marketing, admissions, and enrollment efforts to support institutional goals, strengthen yield, and create a more cohesive, student-centered communications experience. As a key leader within University Communications and Marketing, this position partners closely with Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation to drive integrated, data-informed campaigns and optimize performance across channels. The Director will shape how Western engages prospective students - bringing clarity, consistency, and strategy to communications that directly impact enrollment outcomes. This role is open to candidates who bring transferable marketing experience, even if they have not worked directly in admissions. Learn more about Western Washington University here: https://www.wwu.edu/about-wwu About the Department: University Communications and Marketing (UCM) serves as Western Washington University’s central resource for marketing strategy, storytelling, brand stewardship, and digital communications. The team partners across colleges, divisions, and programs to ensure the university presents a clear, consistent, and authentic voice across campaigns, publications, websites, and media. As part of University Advancement, UCM leads integrated communications and creative efforts that elevate Western’s profile, strengthen recruitment and engagement, and support institutional priorities. The department brings together expertise across marketing, communications, digital strategy, and creative services to deliver cohesive, audience-centered messaging. Through close collaboration across campus, University Communications and Marketing plays a critical role in shaping how Western is experienced by prospective students, current students, alumni, and the broader community. Learn more about University Communications and Marketing here: https://marcom.wwu.edu/ About the Role: The Director of Admissions Marketing & Communications provides strategic leadership for marketing and communications that support undergraduate admissions at Western Washington University, with a focus on recruitment, application, admission, and transition to enrollment. Housed within University Marketing, this role leads the development and coordination of integrated admissions communications strategies in close partnership with Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation & Transition. The Director ensures that messaging, timing, and channels are aligned across units to create a cohesive, student-centered experience and to support institutional admissions goals. This position serves as the primary strategic lead for admissions communications executed through Slate, coordinating CRM-based messaging, campaign sequencing, and performance assessment in collaboration with Admissions leadership and Marketing Operations. This role also provides strategic guidance and consultation to support Admissions marketing and communications efforts across Western’s campuses and locations, ensuring a cohesive approach that reflects both institutional priorities and local context. The Director exercises a high degree of independent judgment and supervises professional staff supporting admissions marketing initiatives. How you will spend your time: Strategic Leadership for Admissions Marketing & Communications – 35% Provide strategic direction for admissions-related marketing and communications within University Marketing. Lead the development of integrated admissions communications strategies spanning recruitment, application, admission, financial aid awareness, and transition to enrollment. Provide strategic leadership and guidance for Admissions marketing and communications initiatives that span Western’s multiple campuses and academic centers, including Bellingham, Western on the Peninsulas, and other locations, ensuring alignment with institutional brand, messaging, and admissions goals. Ensure admissions communications are student-centered, accessible, and aligned with institutional brand and messaging frameworks. Serve as a strategic partner to Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation & Transition leadership to align communications with admissions priorities and student needs. Translate admissions goals into coordinated communications approaches across channels and units. Slate-Based Admissions Communications Strategy and Coordination – 30% Serve as the primary strategic lead for admissions-related communications executed through Slate. Establish and maintain frameworks for admissions lifecycle messaging, campaign sequencing, and audience segmentation in collaboration with Admissions and Enrollment Management partners. Coordinate CRM-based admissions communications to ensure consistency, clarity, and appropriate timing across recruitment and yield phases. Partner with Marketing Operations and Enrollment Systems staff to align communications strategy with data structures, governance practices, and technical capabilities. Analyze performance data to evaluate effectiveness and inform refinements to admissions communications strategies. Cross-Unit Collaboration and Integration – 20% Foster strong, ongoing collaboration between University Marketing and Admissions-related units to ensure coordinated planning and execution of admissions communications. Align admissions marketing efforts with broader institutional marketing initiatives and calendars. Serve as a central point of coordination for cross-unit admissions campaigns and communications initiatives. Represent University Marketing on admissions-related working groups and committees as appropriate. Leadership, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement –15% Supervise and support professional staff working on admissions marketing and communications initiatives. Provide functional guidance and mentorship related to admissions campaign development, messaging coordination, and communications assessment. Establish metrics and reporting frameworks to assess the effectiveness of admissions marketing efforts. Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, and use of marketing technologies to support admissions goals. Contribute to long-range planning related to admissions marketing strategy, tools, and staffing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, English, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or admissions-related work.
Demonstrated expertise with Slate in an admissions communications context, evidenced by Slate certification and/or a minimum of one year of hands-on Slate experience.
Experience working in undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, or student transition programs.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Strong analytical skills and experience using data to inform communications strategy.
Demonstrated experience developing and leading integrated, multi-channel marketing or communications strategies.
At least one year of experience leading staff or complex, cross-functional communications initiatives.
Advanced experience coordinating communications across multiple functional units.
Experience working within a centralized or matrixed marketing organization.
Demonstrated success aligning admissions communications strategy with institutional goals and student experience outcomes.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction for admissions-related marketing and communications within University Marketing.
Lead the development of integrated admissions communications strategies spanning recruitment, application, admission, financial aid awareness, and transition to enrollment.
Provide strategic leadership and guidance for Admissions marketing and communications initiatives that span Western’s multiple campuses and academic centers, including Bellingham, Western on the Peninsulas, and other locations, ensuring alignment with institutional brand, messaging, and admissions goals.
Ensure admissions communications are student-centered, accessible, and aligned with institutional brand and messaging frameworks.
Serve as a strategic partner to Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation & Transition leadership to align communications with admissions priorities and student needs.
Translate admissions goals into coordinated communications approaches across channels and units.
Serve as the primary strategic lead for admissions-related communications executed through Slate.
Establish and maintain frameworks for admissions lifecycle messaging, campaign sequencing, and audience segmentation in collaboration with Admissions and Enrollment Management partners.
Coordinate CRM-based admissions communications to ensure consistency, clarity, and appropriate timing across recruitment and yield phases.
Partner with Marketing Operations and Enrollment Systems staff to align communications strategy with data structures, governance practices, and technical capabilities.
Analyze performance data to evaluate effectiveness and inform refinements to admissions communications strategies.
Foster strong, ongoing collaboration between University Marketing and Admissions-related units to ensure coordinated planning and execution of admissions communications.
Align admissions marketing efforts with broader institutional marketing initiatives and calendars.
Serve as a central point of coordination for cross-unit admissions campaigns and communications initiatives.
Represent University Marketing on admissions-related working groups and committees as appropriate.
Supervise and support professional staff working on admissions marketing and communications initiatives.
Provide functional guidance and mentorship related to admissions campaign development, messaging coordination, and communications assessment.
Establish metrics and reporting frameworks to assess the effectiveness of admissions marketing efforts.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, and use of marketing technologies to support admissions goals.
Contribute to long-range planning related to admissions marketing strategy, tools, and staffing.