Executive Director of Marketing (9387)

Friends University•Wichita, KS

23h

About The Position

The Executive Director of Marketing provides strategic direction and oversight for Friends University’s marketing and branding efforts. The position serves as the senior marketing resource for internal and external stakeholders, leads campaign-based enrollment marketing aligned with recruitment goals, and directs the marketing team. It aligns marketing production and storytelling with the University’s mission, strategic goals, and values, connecting that work to measurable enrollment outcomes. The role also manages third-party partnerships for digital advertising, collateral design, search engine marketing and optimization, and web development. As part of a small, collaborative team, the Executive Director contributes to projects beyond the primary area of focus as needed. The position designs, implements, and monitors marketing plans and research; develops strategic marketing and communication plans; partners with faculty and academic leaders on enrollment efforts; tracks competitive trends and higher education best practices; manages marketing resources and evaluates return on investment; and develops and protects the University’s brand and online presence. It oversees mission-centered storytelling and integrated communications, monitors reputation and emerging issues, and advises leadership on reputational and enrollment risks and opportunities. The Executive Director leads the marketing team, including assigning and prioritizing work, developing staff, and conducting performance management. The position advises the Vice President of Enrollment Management and the President on higher education marketing practices, serves on committees as appropriate, and represents Friends University at events and meetings when needed. The role directly supervises four positions: Senior Designer, Digital Marketing & Web Developer, Marketing Coordinator & Analyst, and Marketing Specialist.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field.
Demonstrable experience in marketing, public relations, and/or communication.
Supervisory experience.
Strong strategic planning skills, from concept through execution.
Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive, 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 digital advertising optimization, brand framework implementation, and developing mission-centered, Christ-centered storytelling.
Ability to establish marketing performance metrics tied to enrollment outcomes.
Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, averaging 45–50 hours per week; occasional evening or weekend hours may be requested.
Some travel is required.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience is preferred.
Higher education and/or enrollment marketing experience is strongly preferred.
A master’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and monitor marketing plans, targets, tactics, and strategies in consultation with University stakeholders.
Lead advertising campaign strategy, process, and communication.
Assist with concept development of marketing materials and ensure they follow brand guidelines and enrollment goals.
Produce strategic marketing and communication plans for University programs and initiatives.
Build partnerships with faculty, academic deans, and others 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 resources cost-effectively and measure return on investment.
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 identity.
Monitor the University’s public reputation, media landscape, and emerging issues, and advise leadership on reputational and enrollment risks and opportunities.
Develop, manage, and monitor the marketing department budget, including labor planning, staffing, salaries, advertising and media spend, vendor and agency contracts, subscriptions, software, and production costs.
Allocate resources across channels and campaigns, and evaluate and optimize spending against enrollment outcomes.
Supervise and lead the marketing team, provide day-to-day direction, prioritize and assign work, and develop staff.
Set staff goals and expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and complete 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.