Marketing and Communications Manager

Marian University•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Marian University seeks a Marketing and Communications Manager for Knight WORKS, its workforce intermediary initiative. This leader will advance the university's mission by executing a regional communications strategy to position Knight WORKS as Indiana’s first coordinated earn-and-learn workforce intermediary. The role involves serving as the senior marketing and brand strategist, responsible for developing and executing integrated communications initiatives to increase employer engagement, support student recruitment, and enhance public visibility across Central Indiana. This position reports jointly to the Vice President and Dean of Saint Joseph’s College and the Executive Director of Knight WORKS, and collaborates with Marian University senior leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or related field.
Minimum of five years of progressive experience in strategic communications, brand development, public relations, or executive communications.
Demonstrated experience leading communications strategy for a complex initiative, organization, or campaign.
Experience supporting senior leadership with high-level messaging and public visibility.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
Experience managing external vendors, creative production, and campaign budgets.
Ability to operate strategically while executing in a fast-moving launch environment.
Work hours necessary to perform job requirements satisfactorily on a regular basis.
Manage absence from work in responsible manner to ensure service to clients, work teams, and coworkers.
Comply with Marian University policies and practices and seeking clarification of them when necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience in workforce development, higher education, economic development, or public-private partnerships.
Experience working with government leaders, corporate partners, or philanthropic stakeholders.
Familiarity with performance reporting and outcome-based storytelling.

Responsibilities

Actively engage Marian University’s Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by modeling Franciscan Sponsorship Values through professionalism, integrity, and collaborative leadership in all communications.
Develop and execute a comprehensive, insight-informed communications strategy positioning Knight WORKS as Central Indiana’s workforce intermediary of record.
Articulate and amplify how Knight WORKS integrates experiential learning, workforce readiness competencies, and employer expectations into a unified regional model.
Align communications strategy with employer pipeline growth targets, student enrollment goals, and revenue pacing milestones.
Monitor regional workforce trends and advise senior leadership on strategic positioning opportunities.
Create, build, manage, and protect the Knight WORKS brand identity, including messaging architecture, positioning frameworks, and narrative consistency.
Translate institutional and workforce strategy into measurable, high-impact marketing initiatives that expand awareness, credibility, and trust among employers, students, and community stakeholders.
Create executive-level messaging materials for employers, state leaders, philanthropic partners, and institutional stakeholders.
Draft speeches, briefing documents, employer presentations, press materials, and Governor-ready communications in coordination with senior leadership.
Lead integrated storytelling initiatives highlighting student wage outcomes, employer satisfaction, retention performance, and workforce impact.
Collaborate with the Data and Reporting Lead to translate dashboard metrics into compelling public-facing narratives.
Oversee production of professional marketing assets including launch campaigns, video production, digital outreach, employer testimonial content, photography, and branded materials.
Develop and maintain media relationships to secure earned media coverage in regional business, workforce, and higher education outlets.
Coordinate and promote high-visibility employer roundtables, internship fairs, launch convenings, Talent Connect events, and Match Day programming.
Support employer recruitment efforts by developing ROI-focused materials aligned with employer-tier investment structures.
Influence cross-functional partners to ensure alignment between communications, employer engagement, student services, and executive priorities.
Collaborate with Marian University marketing and communications to ensure alignment with institutional brand standards and media protocols.
Manage external vendors, creative contractors, and campaign budgets within approved allocations.
Track and report measurable communications performance indicators monthly and provide quarterly strategic communications analysis to senior leadership, identifying strengths, risks, and growth opportunities.
Perform additional duties as assigned.