Assistant Director of Marketing

Job Description:

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, the Assistant Director of Marketing will guide and implement marketing strategies designed to promote and drive participation in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policyâ™s growing portfolio of academic programs and leadership initiatives as well as its career services. The Assistant Director of Marketing supports a range of enrollment, fundraising, and employer relations goals connected to leadership programs, mid-career degrees, and career placement.  In doing so, the Assistant Director will work closely with key partners across the school, including administrators from Harris Leadership Programs, the Civic Leadership Academy, Career Development Office, and Admissions (Student Recruitment and Global Outreach). 

Specifically, this position will be responsible for leading the execution of a marketing plans to promote new degrees, programs, and initiatives to prospective students; influence prospective employers to hire Harris graduates; and position Harris as an innovator in preparing the next generation of data-driven leaders to make a social impact across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The Assistant Director of Marketing will develop and manage day-to-day marketing, advertising, creative editorial, and design needs in support of these efforts. The Assistant Director of Marketing will also serve as a key partner in institutional outreach around the opening of the Keller Center, advancing Harrisâ™ School-wide objectives within the context of the Schoolâ™s broader communications and marketing strategy.

Responsibilities:   

Develop and implement a cohesive marketing communications plan designed to raise awareness of the unique value of Harrisâ™ new programs â“ including mid-career degrees and leadership offerings â“ among prospective students.

• Create an integrated marketing communications plan designed to expand awareness of the schoolâ™s mid-career degrees and leadership offerings among prospective students and those who influence their decision-making process in considering graduate degree options.
  • Lead the implementation and execution of short- and long-range communication and marketing strategies and tactics spanning collateral and content marketing, advertising, paid search and SEO, social media and email marketing, media relations, etc.
  • Ensure the identity, voice, and objectives of Harris are articulated in an authentic and cohesive manner across leadership-related marketing channels
  • Develop new ways to identify and engage Harris faculty, students, alumni and third-party influencers in Harrisâ™ leadership initiatives both online and offline

• Conduct research, analyze data, and monitor industry trends and best practices to implement, test, and refine strategies

Develop compelling creative and marketing content designed to inform, engage, and excite current and prospective employer partners about the benefits of hiring Harris graduates

• Partner with Harris colleagues and outside agencies in developing innovative and meaningful creative campaign ideas to promote Harrisâ™ career services offerings and engage current and prospective Harris employers
  • Create, coordinate, and distribute both print and digital marketing content, including brochures, email marketing campaigns, and website copy 
  • Manage outside vendors, including freelancer designers, writers, videographers and marketing agencies, in producing admissions-specific marketing content

• Keep abreast of trends in digital marketing, ensuring Harris is leveraging new and emerging channels to reach and engage prospective students
• Provide recommendations on how to best leverage existing brand assets in employer communications, and develop recommendations for new content creation
  • Ensure the identity, voice, and objectives of Harris are articulated in an authentic and cohesive manner across employer-related marketing channels
  • Develop new ways to identify and engage Harris faculty, students, alumni and third-party influencers in Harrisâ™ graduate placement marketing efforts both online and offline

• Create and maintain and optimize against pertinent metrics, helping to ensure success of future marketing campaigns

Serve as a liaison to internal Harris teams to coordinate marketing resources and outreach   

• Serve as the day-to-day client manager to Harrisâ™'Career Development Office in helping to advance their employer relations and student career services goals
  • Ensure Harris Career Development Office priorities are met within the context of the school's overall communications and marketing plan

• Serve as the day-to-day client manager to Civic Leadership Academy and Harris Leadership Programs, providing advisement on marketing communications strategy and project managing execution of requested marketing assets and materials
• Provide support to the Director of Marketing on other initiatives to drive enrollment in other degree programs, as needed, working with Harris Office Student Recruitment and Global Outreach (Admissions)
  • Suggest ways to better leverage marketing content and resources across internal Harris teams

General team support

• Identify areas and projects to add value to the daily activities of the Harris Communications and Marketing team.
• Assist with special projects as they arise.
• Track, report, and follow up on open issues. Drafts associated communications as appropriate. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing integrated marketing campaigns, preferably aimed at business audiences.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, including command of correct English usage and knowledge of AP and Chicago style guides.
• Extensive writing and creative editorial experience, including web content, email campaigns, newsletters, print collateral, etc.
• Strong organizational, planning, problem solving, and project management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to take initiative, work independently, and also contribute as a member of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to review and prioritize work independently and effectively.
• Ability to successfully manage a workload that balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing publicly visible projects.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Ability to manage conflict with grace and tact and to propose creative, win-win solutions.
• In-depth understanding of graphic design software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark) preferred.
• Experience managing creative agencies, vendors, and freelancers preferred.
• Familiarity with education sector and knowledge of the University of Chicagoâ™s unique culture preferred.

Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Marketing, Communications, Public Policy or related field required
• MBA or MA preferred

Experience:

• A minimum of 4â“5 years communications and marketing related experience required

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• One sample work product or case study from a relevant marketing strategy, plan, or campaign you led and/or played a major role in supporting.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.

NOTE:  When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.