Associate Director for Strategic Marketing and Communications

Location: Hickory, N.C. (on-campus position)

Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a generous benefits package that includes vacation and sick time, health, dental and vision insurance, retirements benefits, free undergraduate tuition (tuition remission) for spouse and dependent children and free graduate degree tuition for employees. Additional benefits include two weeks of paid vacation around Christmas, access to university fitness center and discounts from local university partners and community businesses.

General Description/Primary Purpose

A highly creative and innovative strategist and manager, the Associate Director for Strategic Marketing and Communications is responsible for internal and external marketing communications for the university. Working closely with the Associate Vice President, as well as members of the marcom team, campus clients and external vendors, the position plans, executes and oversees integrated marketing and communications for print and digital projects, including university publications, website, multimedia projects, news releases, among other vehicles. The position serves as the primary contact and lead for university marketing and communications projects.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as lead project manager coordinating, scheduling and reporting out on all marketing and communications projects with campus clients, including, but not limited to print pieces, publications, magazine (Profile), newsletters (Southern Bulletin), press releases, website content, social media content, digital advertising and multimedia content.
• Monitor and advise clients on project timelines, design, print and mailing specifications and cost estimates. Communicate project requirements to external vendors and work to ensure projects meet specifications.
• Assist in the implementation of a comprehensive marketing and communications plan to include storytelling, public relations and advertising strategies using various media to ensure a consistent and compelling brand image and voice.
• Assess on an ongoing basis the state of marketing and communications across the university’s three campuses, identify opportunities for efficiencies and provide recommendations for improvements to the appropriate administrative persons/offices.
• Write, edit and proofread for a variety of publications and ensure adherence to brand voice/tone, editorial standards and AP style.
• Write and disseminate news releases from a variety of university constituents. Maintain news release and media coverage logs.
• Serve as an integral lead in the coordination of university special events, of which marketing and communications plays a key role.
• Serve as backup for other university projects.
• Foster and maintain a positive atmosphere to ensure all interactions are handled with the highest level of professionalism and customer service.
• Demonstrate an advanced work ethic and attention to detail.
• Serve on university and division committees as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of demonstrated experience as a marketing/creative team project manager working within an agency, corporate, nonprofit or higher education setting.
• Excellent working knowledge of modern marketing communications methods, including brand adherence, print and digital design, advertising design, direct mail, marketing collateral, promotions, magazines, newsletters, video, website content/messaging, social media and writing and editing for collateral.
• Demonstrated knowledge and success working collaboratively with clients/departments and vendors; experience with principles and processes for providing customer service, including assessing client needs, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Experience working with a structured project management methodology and system such as Basecamp, Hive or related.
• Strong editorial, copywriting, proofreading and written/verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.
• Proven ability to organize work, multi-task and work to deadlines.
• Strong work ethic with ability to work well independently and as part of a team managing multiple responsibilities concurrently.
  
  

Department: Marketing and Communications

Division: Advancement

Wage Class: Salaried, exempt

Reports to: Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Apply