Position Title:

Associate Director, Marketing Strategy

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

Bucknell University has an exciting opportunity available as the next Associate Director of Marketing Strategy. In this position, you will oversee the execution of integrated marketing strategies to engage various audiences across print and digital marketing channels; direct the digital marketing and social media strategy and plans, including daily marketing tactics and content marketing efforts; and, manage a team to conduct digital analysis, optimization, and reporting, social media management, marketing strategy and video marketing.

Job Duties:

As Associate Director of Marketing Strategy at Bucknell University, you will lead the planning and execution of results-driven marketing initiatives that align with institutional priorities. You'll work closely with campus stakeholders and guide a skilled team across multiple marketing disciplines to bring complex, integrated campaigns to life. This role balances high-level strategy with hands-on oversight of deliverables and timelines. You’ll thrive in this role if you're energized by collaboration, driven by data, and motivated to make an impact through thoughtful, audience-focused storytelling.
 

The Associate Director of Marketing Strategy is a creative, agile thinker and data-informed leader responsible for executing comprehensive marketing strategies in support of the University’s goals. The Associate Director of Marketing Strategy reports to and works closely with the Assistant Vice President of Marketing Strategy to engage Bucknell’s various audiences across print and digital marketing channels. Essential to this role is the ability to find connections between owned, earned and paid channels to move target audiences through the consumer journey in support of brand, enrollment, reputation and advancement objectives.  

The Associate Director oversees the University’s integrated digital marketing efforts and manages a team of collaborative and skilled professionals responsible for content marketing, video strategy, social media strategy, digital marketing strategy, analytics and reporting, and paid advertising. 

The Associate Director of Marketing Strategy is an intellectually curious, detail-oriented, metrics-focused marketer who thrives in a team-based, collaborative environment. The role requires excellent communication and project-management skills, a strong proficiency in digital marketing and social media strategy, marketing best practices and brand development. 

Position Details
 

Reporting Relationships / Direct Reports:

Reports to: Assistant Vice President, Marketing Strategy

Supervises: 3 - 6 members of the marketing staff
 

Work Setting: Hybrid
 

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

What You Will Do:

• Leads multi-faceted marketing initiatives, including creating a strategic plan, facilitating cross-functional team planning sessions, selecting creative and content, ensuring brand consistency, and outlining key performance indicators (KPls) that will deliver a strong return on investment (ROI).
   

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies and plans to support the University brand, enrollment, advancement, reputational, and rankings initiative goals. Gather insights for making data-driven decisions in collaboration with campus partners. Conducts surveys, analyzes data received, and researches industry best practices. Refines marketing approaches as appropriate.
   

• Directs University social media marketing strategies and tactics, including determining appropriate responses to crisis and emergency incidents on digital channels.
   

• Provides daily guidance and direction to supporting digital marketing and social media professionals. Hires, trains, and assigns tasks. Coaches, mentors, and guides team members. Sets clear goals and objectives, identifies opportunities for professional development, and evaluates performance.
   

• Oversees the University's video marketing strategy, including the review and approval of creative concepts, providing clear direction, and constructive feedback, while ensuring the content adheres to brand standards and project timelines.
   

• Creates strategic advertising plans and manages paid media vendors, agencies, and optimization strategies. Reviews advertising analytics and reports. Recommends and implements appropriate adjustments. 
   

• Non-Essential Functions: The job description's listed responsibilities and tasks are not exhaustive. Additional non-essential tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

What You Will Bring:

Required:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field

• 4 years of marketing analysis and strategy design, minimum 3 years of supervisory experience

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and the sharing of perspectives across differences

• Strong understanding of marketing, social media management and strategy — including crisis management and executive communications

• Strong understanding of paid media and digital advertising 

• Working knowledge of KPIS, digital analysis and reporting 

• Understanding of integrated marketing; how various offline/online and brand/direct response channels work together

Preferred, But Not Required:

• Master’s degree

• Strong understanding of user-generated content management, content marketing and reputation management

• Experience in higher education

• Proficiency in Google Docs, Airtable and Slack, as well as Sprout Social or a similar social media management tool

• Familiarity with Google Analytics and Google Data Studio
   

Physical Requirements:

• Office environment/no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

72,640.00-90,800.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.