Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications is a operational leadership role responsible for overseeing marketing, communications, special event planning, Argo Store operations, social media, and marketing and communications production. This individual plays a critical role in maintaining adherence to the university’s established brand standards, advancing its brand identity, and effectively communicating its strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, Marketing, and Communications, this professional ensures cohesive and impactful messaging that fosters engagement and strengthens relationships with key stakeholders, including students, alumni, donors, and the broader community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Communications:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that enhances the university’s reputation and supports enrollment, fundraising, and engagement efforts.
• Ensure all communications adhere to the university’s established brand standards, reinforcing a consistent and compelling identity across all platforms.
• Communicate the university’s strategic priorities effectively to internal and external audiences.
• Lead institutional messaging efforts to align marketing, branding, and communications initiatives across departments.
• Serve as a key advisor to university leadership on branding, crisis communications, and public relations strategies.

Marketing & Branding:

• Oversee the development and execution of marketing campaigns that promote academic programs, university initiatives, and institutional priorities.
• Guide content creation, design, and production for promotional materials, website content, newsletters, and multimedia assets.
• Leverage data analytics to assess marketing performance and optimize engagement strategies.
• Ensure marketing strategies align with enrollment goals to attract and retain students.

Advancement Communications & Donor Engagement:

• Lead donor communication efforts, ensuring alignment with fundraising campaigns and stewardship initiatives.
• Work closely with Advancement and Alumni Relations teams to develop compelling storytelling that highlights donor impact and university success stories.
• Support strategic communications that enhance relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and philanthropic partners.

Institutional Messaging & Cross-Department Collaboration:

• Lead cross-functional teams to coordinate institutional messaging across academic, enrollment, and advancement divisions.
• Develop a synchronized approach to university-wide communications to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
• Provide strategic oversight to ensure marketing and communication efforts reinforce the university’s mission and strategic direction.

Special Events & Campus Engagement:

• Oversee planning and execution of high-profile university events, ensuring seamless coordination and impactful experiences.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to enhance event visibility and engagement.

Argo Store Operations:

• Provide strategic oversight for Argo Store operations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and enhancing the university’s retail presence.

Social Media & Digital Presence:

• Direct social media strategy and content creation to enhance audience engagement and brand consistency.
• Monitor trends and best practices to optimize digital marketing efforts.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration, public relations, nonprofit administration, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in marketing, communications, or advancement, with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Demonstrated success in higher education preferred. Proven ability to develop and execute strategic marketing and communication plans that drive institutional growth and engagement.
• Excellent team leadership, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Strong project management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple initiatives.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Experience leveraging digital marketing, analytics, and social media strategies to drive engagement.
• Expertise in institutional branding and messaging to support university-wide objectives.
• Knowledge of fundraising and donor communications best practices is a plus.

Disclaimer: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have valid authorization to work in the United States of America without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization.

An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer covered by the Montana veterans’ and handicapped persons’ employment preference act

The University of Providence is a Catholic, student-centered, mission-focused university. For more information, please contact Human Resources at 406.791.5977.