Strategic Marketing Director - Higher Education

Our client, a leading private Christian university and one of the largest in its state, is seeking a Strategic Marketing Director to lead and build a dedicated marketing team for its rapidly growing online division. This newly created role will serve as the cornerstone of the university's online marketing organization, driving enrollment growth and elevating brand presence in a highly competitive higher education landscape.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic marketing leader who thrives at the intersection of creativity and performance. The ideal candidate will design comprehensive marketing campaigns, hold external agencies accountable, and build a high-performing team from the ground up.

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies that integrate awareness marketing and performance marketing to drive enrollment growth and brand visibility
• Lead, build, and mentor a new dedicated marketing team for the online division
• Design end-to-end marketing campaigns that differentiate the organization in a crowded marketplace
• Serve as the primary liaison between the marketing function and the online division leadership, maintaining regular strategic alignment meetings
• Hold external marketing agencies accountable for performance, timelines, and deliverables; ensure agency partners deliver measurable results
• Interpret marketing data and analytics to inform strategy, optimize campaigns, and communicate insights to leadership
• Manage substantial marketing investments with sound financial acumen and project management discipline
• Oversee project scope, timelines, deliverables, and critical milestones across multiple concurrent initiatives
• Collaborate with creative, digital, and communications teams to develop promotional materials across print, digital, and other channels
• Translate market intelligence and competitive analysis into actionable campaign strategies

• Foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and continuous improvement within the marketing team

• 5–7+ years of strategic marketing experience with demonstrated, measurable results in lead generation, sales growth, brand awareness, or market penetration
• Proven ability to design and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns from concept through delivery
• Experience with both awareness marketing (brand building, top-of-funnel) and performance marketing (lead generation, conversion optimization)
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Data-smart: Comfortable interpreting dashboards, analytics, and campaign performance metrics to drive decision-making
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience engaging senior leadership and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to hold external partners and agencies accountable for results
• Experience managing or influencing significant marketing budgets
• Strong organizational abilities with keen attention to detail, deadlines, and deliverable quality

• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment, and adapt as institutional needs evolve

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field; advanced degree a plus
• Combination of agency experience and in-house/corporate marketing experience
• Experience in smaller organizations or startups with direct C-suite access and strategic ownership
• Track record of building, hiring, and leading marketing teams
• Higher education marketing experience (industry experience is valued)
• Experience working across multiple verticals or industries, demonstrating adaptability
• Familiarity with CRM, marketing automation, and campaign management platforms

• Salary Range: $109,000 annually, commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare and retirement plans

• Generous paid time off and vacation schedule
• Mission-driven work environment with strong work-life balance

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