Director, Academic Affairs Digital Marketing and Operational Excellence

The University of Central Missouri is an equal employment opportunity employer


Salary $85,000.00 Annually
Location UCMO - Warrensburg, MO
Job Number 997114
Division Academic Affairs
CategoryMiscellaneous / Marketing / Higher Education

Description

1. Develops and oversees the tactical and strategic coordination of academic content and program data of all digital program-based marketing for the Division of Academic Affairs.
2. Reports to the Provost and supports the Division of Academic Affairs in achieving university-wide enrollment management goals.
3. Coordinates the collection, accuracy, and alignment of academic program data and key selling points for all digital program-based marketing from academic departments in consultation with program coordinators, department chairs, college deans, dean of graduate studies, assistant vice provost for admissions and analytics, executive director of corporate relations, and vice provost for online and extended studies.
4. Serves as the primary liaison between the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC), interfacing directly with the Assistant Vice President of Marketing.
5. Collaborates with IMC to deploy strategies to increase public understanding of academic programs and strategic academic goals.
6. Facilitates the achievement of specific goals and objectives of the University's colleges by advising, in partnership with IMC, the academic community on marketing techniques and procedures.
7. Ensures all academic marketing functions are aligned with UCM's mission, positioning, and brand standards.
8. Lead the mapping and assessment of departmental and cross-functional systems, processes, and workflows within the Division of Academic Affairs to identify opportunities for improved coordination, operational efficiency, system integration, and continuous improvement. Collaborate with relevant institutional partners to identify system dependencies, points of friction, and opportunities to strengthen processes and integrations that support institutional effectiveness and the student experience.
9. Operating within a highly collaborative matrix structure, this role provides strategic leadership and coordination for Academic Affairs marketing priorities, bringing academic expertise, market intelligence, and program-level insights to the development of effective marketing strategies. The position works in close partnership with IMC, which maintains institutional responsibility for university-wide marketing and communications strategy, creative execution, and brand standards, to ensure Academic Affairs priorities are effectively positioned and advanced in support of institutional goals.

Examples of Duties

Academic Marketing Management and Coordination: 70%

• Coordinate all digital program-based marketing from academic departments, prioritized by college deans in consultation with the Provost, ensuring all efforts are aligned with UCM's mission and strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate the intake and internal alignment of academic needs to inform the creation of IMC-developed marketing and communications plans for the University's colleges to achieve recruitment and retention goals.
• Consult frequently with program coordinators, department chairs, college deans, dean of graduate studies, assistant vice provost for admissions and analytics, executive director of corporate relations, and vice provost for online and extended studies to identify marketing needs and develop specific goals for academic programs.
• Partner with the Associate Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Communication to provide academic insights, faculty perspectives and verified program data that inform the tactical direction, planning, and execution of academic marketing efforts, including digital marketing, social media, and web content.
• Analyze market research to understand the unique selling points of various academic programs and develop methods to evaluate the impact of marketing efforts.
• Monitor all digital academic content for academic accuracy, currency and alignment with institutional goals, while collaborating with IMC to ensure compliance with UCM style and brand standards.
• Communicate with campus partners to ensure accurate and timely completion of all creative services requests for the Division of Academic Affairs.
• Serve as a final approval for academic and factual accuracy on high-impact academic recruitment and retention marketing projects, while working with IMC for final approval regarding brand compliance, visual design and digital marketing strategy.
• Coordinate with the Director of University Communications and Media Relations on strategic Academic Affairs communications beyond program marketing, including executive messaging, institutional positioning, issues management, media relations and major university-wide announcements.

Strategic Liaison and Collaboration: 20%

• Serve as the lead liaison between Academic Affairs and the IMC team to ensure timely and high-quality marketing products for academic programs.
• Work in cooperation with the Provost's office and college deans on strategic initiatives related to program growth and enrollment management.
• Participate in university committees as directed, such as the Enrollment Management Recruitment Council, representing the Division of Academic Affairs.
• Identify and bring forward opportunities to enhance or coordinate data collection and marketing processes across various academic offices.
• Lead cross-functional process and workflow improvement initiatives within the Division of Academic Affairs by mapping existing processes, identifying system dependencies, points of friction, and integration opportunities, and facilitating collaborative solutions that improve operational effectiveness and the student experience.

Administration: 10%

• Manage the budget allocated for academic program-based marketing initiatives.
• Identify and support professional development opportunities for academic marketing staff.

Typical Qualifications

Education:
Master's degree required in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of experience working in communications, public relations, or marketing required.
• Three (3) years of writing experience required.
• Progressive project management experience required.
• Business process improvement experience or certification preferred.
• Operational planning experience involving digital marketing and web-based projects preferred.
• Experience working within an academic or higher education environment is preferred.

Special Instructions:

Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Benefits

Our faculty and staff are the university's most valuable asset, and our goal is to provide a robust Total Rewards Program designed to help them maintain a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle.

Highlights from UCM's total rewards package for full-time employees include:

• 32% (staff) and 6% (faculty) defined retirement contribution, paid by the university;
• Voluntary Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) programs (403(b) and 457(b)) that allow eligible employees to make additional pre-tax contributions to a retirement plan;
• Employees can earn up to full tuition (15 credit hours) for themselves per academic year. Full-time employees are also eligible for up to $175 towards non-credit courses each fiscal year. Employees can earn up to full tuition for their dependents;
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans that begin on the first of the month following your date of hire. Basic dental and vision insurance paid at 100% by the university;
• Available Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts;
• University-paid basic life insurance (including accidental death and dismemberment) and short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage;
• Generous leave accruals that begin accruing on your start date, plus 14 paid holidays per year.
• The UCM Childcare Center on the Warrensburg campus can provide faculty, staff, and students quality care for their children ages six weeks to 10 years.
• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) is free for all employees and is located on the Warrensburg campus.
• An Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees and their immediate family members to help assist with personal challenges you may face in your daily life;
• UCM offers an Employee Discount Program through Working Advantage.

To learn more about the wonderful benefits available as a University of Central Missouri employee, visit our !




Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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