Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

Job Details

Department: Professional/Administrative Staff
Job Type: Staff
Status: Exempt
Deadline: Until Filled

Applications available at jobs.asbury.edu

Job Purpose:

The Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing is a senior-level leader responsible for guiding Asbury University’s communication and marketing efforts in support of the institution’s enrollment, retention, and brand objectives.

This individual serves as a key member of the Enrollment Management Leadership Team, overseeing a team of professionals who implement integrated strategies across brand management, public relations, digital marketing, and content creation. The director ensures consistent, mission-centered messaging across all platforms and audiences—including prospective students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors.

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader, excellent communicator and creative strategist with demonstrated leadership experience in marketing, communications, and brand development. The role requires strong management, communication, analytical, and project coordination skills, along with the ability to lead collaborative, cross-functional teams that advance Asbury’s enrollment and institutional goals.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
Significant leadership experience in communications, marketing, or related fields.
Proven ability to manage teams, projects, and multi-channel marketing initiatives.
Strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage team:

Oversee and manage a staff of entry-level professionals to implement communication and marketing strategies to support the university’s recruiting retention and brand management goals.

Strategy and planning:

Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing plan that drives recruitment goals. Lead the marketing efforts for admissions.

Brand management:

Set and execute brand standards for the university. Oversee branding initiatives to ensure a consistent and positive institutional image.

Public relations:

Manage public relations efforts, including media relations, crisis communications, events, and community engagement.

Digital and content marketing:

Guide digital marketing initiatives, social media strategy, and content creation. Also oversee website strategy and content.

Team leadership:

Lead and manage the communications and marketing team, setting goals and ensuring objectives are met. Oversee website strategy and content.

Data analysis:

Use data and research to inform strategy, measure campaign success, and provide analysis.

Fundraising support:

Collaborate on communications strategies for fundraising and philanthropy initiatives.

Manage a Budget:

Steward the university’s set Budget for Strategic Communications Department well by securing the best marketing strategies and vendors to accomplish optimum results. Monitor budget regularly to ensure successful financial and timely parameters for the fiscal year.

Essential Functions:

Lead Strategic Communications team with vision and positive energy.
Assess the University’s publics and constituencies to develop a strategic plan to position the University for those publics.
Oversee in-house/out-of-house publications for admissions and general University presentation.
Coordinate the unified “image/identity” of the University
Work energetically to develop and enhance the University’s relationship with local/regional media markets as a springboard to potential national media opportunities disseminating and placing information in the media on campus events, lectures, concerts, sports, personalities, etc.
Serve as the official liaison between the campus and public news media.
Serve as a member of the crisis management team effectively managing the campus communications plan as needed in conjunction with the Office of the President.
Seek opportunities of personal and University involvement to enhance the institution’s reputation as good citizen of the town of Wilmore, Jessamine County and the greater Bluegrass region.
Facilitate marketing research among alumni and friends to assess the University’s image and reputation among its constituencies.
Provide oversight for the various campus publishing activities.
Create and oversee a strategic visibility program for the University in advertising involving local, regional and national outlets.
Serve as Executive Producer for campus related audio and video products used in off campus marketing and communications.
Other duties as assigned.

Physical requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time on-site position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Potential exists to work some evenings and weekends.

Travel

No travel is expected for this position.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree is required, typically in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field. A master’s degree is often preferred.
Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in marketing and communications, with a preference for higher education or mission-driven non-profit experience.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Strong leadership and project management abilities.
Proficiency in data analysis and digital marketing tools.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.
Knowledge of campaign strategy, brand management, and public relations.
A committed and dynamic Christian faith is vital along with the ability to support the University’s theological position, lifestyle standards and mission.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Institutional Commitment:

Asbury University is an independent, Christian, liberal arts university in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. In the desire to be a more inclusive community, reflective of the Kingdom of God, we especially encourage applications from women and from candidates from various ethnic backgrounds. At Asbury University, employees must display a committed and dynamic Christian faith along with the ability to support the University’s theological position, lifestyle standards, and mission. Candidates must agree, support and adhere to University policies and procedures – including the Faculty Manual, Community Standards Guidelines, Human Sexuality Statement, and the Standard of Conduct for employees. Asbury University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, or handicap in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.