Executive Director of Marketing (9387)

FRIENDS UNIVERSITY • Wichita, KS

28d • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Marketing provides strategic direction and oversight for Friends University’s marketing and branding efforts. This role serves as the senior marketing resource for presenting the University to internal and external stakeholders through traditional channels and new media. The Executive Director leads campaign-based enrollment marketing aligned with recruitment goals, directs the marketing team, and connects marketing production and storytelling to the University’s mission, strategic goals, values, and measurable enrollment outcomes.

The role manages relationships with third-party providers of digital advertising, collateral design, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, and web development. As part of a small, collaborative team, the Executive Director works as a marketing generalist and contributes to projects outside the primary area of focus as needed. The position directly supervises four roles: Senior Designer, Digital Marketing & Web Developer, Marketing Coordinator & Analyst, and Marketing Specialist.

The position works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., averaging 45–50 hours per week. Overtime may be needed and can include evening or weekend hours. Attendance at some University events may be requested, and some travel is required.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience is preferred.
• Demonstrable experience in marketing, public relations, and/or communications.
• Supervisory experience.
• Strong strategic planning skills, from concept through execution.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field required.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and effective relationships with colleagues, students, and the external community.
• A personal record of leadership and service demonstrating integrity, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and achievement of goals.
• Strong administrative and supervisory skills.
• Expertise in higher education marketing, digital advertising optimization, brand framework implementation, and developing mission-centered, Christ-centered storytelling.
• Ability to establish marketing performance metrics tied to enrollment outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Higher education and/or enrollment marketing experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and monitor marketing plans, including targets, tactics, and strategies, in consultation with University stakeholders.
• Lead advertising campaign strategy and related processes and communications.
• Assist with developing marketing materials and ensure they follow brand guidelines and enrollment goals.
• Develop strategic marketing and communications plans for University programs and initiatives.
• Build partnerships with faculty, academic deans, and other stakeholders to advance enrollment efforts.
• Design and implement market research to develop an in-depth understanding of target markets.
• Track and analyze competitive trends and benchmark higher education best practices.
• Manage marketing budgets efficiently, measure return on investment, and allocate and optimize spending against enrollment outcomes.
• Develop and protect the University’s brand, corporate identity, and image, and ensure its website is current and effectively promotes the University.
• Oversee institutional and mission-centered storytelling that supports student recruitment and University visibility.
• Oversee integrated communications campaigns and ensure communications and publications follow brand guidelines and present a unified image and identity.
• Monitor the University’s public reputation, media landscape, and emerging issues, and advise leadership on reputational and enrollment risks and opportunities.
• Plan and monitor departmental labor budgets, staffing levels, salaries, and non-labor expenditures, including advertising and media spend, vendor and agency contracts, subscriptions, software, and production costs.
• Supervise and lead the marketing team; provide day-to-day direction, prioritize and assign work, and develop staff.
• Conduct performance management, including setting goals and expectations, providing coaching and feedback, and completing performance reviews.
• Foster a proactive, strategic, mission-driven team culture.
• Advise the Vice President of Enrollment Management and the President on higher education marketing best practices.
• Serve on committees as appropriate and represent Friends University at internal and external events and meetings when needed.

What This Job Offers

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