Director, Communications and Marketing

The Director of Communications and Marketing provides strategic leadership for the University's marketing, branding, communications, and public relations efforts. This position is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing and communication strategies that support student recruitment, institutional visibility, enrollment growth, alumni and donor engagement, and overall reputation management.

Working collaboratively with campus leaders, the Director ensures consistent messaging and brand alignment across all communication channels while advancing the University's mission, values, and strategic priorities. The Director plays a key role in promoting and communicating Anderson University's commitment to a Faithful C.A.M.P.U.S. culture by highlighting initiatives that foster community, accountability, mission alignment, personal growth, unity, and service. Through effective storytelling and strategic communications, the Director helps strengthen the University's identity as a Christ-centered learning community and supports efforts that enhance engagement among students, employees, alumni, and external stakeholders.

Strategic Leadership & Executive Communication

• Serve as the University's chief communications strategist, advising the President's Cabinet on institutional messaging, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with admissions, advancement, athletics, academic departments, student life, and the office of spiritual and intercultural life to align messaging and campaign priorities.
• Develop executive-level communications including presidential messaging, board communications, crisis communications, speeches, and strategic announcements.
• Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with trustees, donors, alumni, media, faculty, staff, students, parents, and external partners.
• Translate complex institutional issues into clear, compelling, and mission-centered communications for diverse audiences.
• Provide communications counsel to senior leadership during periods of organizational change, crisis response, and strategic planning.

Strategic Marketing & Brand Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive University communications and marketing strategy aligned with institutional goals.
• Serve as the primary steward of the University's brand identity, messaging, and visual standards.
• Ensure consistent brand presentation across all academic, enrollment, advancement, athletics, and institutional communications.
• Monitor industry trends and recommend innovative marketing strategies to strengthen institutional visibility and competitiveness.

Enrollment & Advancement Collaboration

• Develop and maintain marketing dashboards that track enrollment funnel performance, campaign effectiveness, web analytics, social media engagement, and return on investments.
• Utilize digital marketing, email marketing, social media, content marketing, and advertising strategies to support enrollment growth.
• Analyze campaign performance and enrollment marketing metrics to improve effectiveness and return on investment.
• Support fundraising campaigns, major gift initiatives, and alumni engagement strategies through integrated communication plans.
• Demonstrate an understanding of enrollment management principles, advancement operations, and higher education marketing trends.

Communications & Public Relations

• Lead institutional communications efforts, including internal and external communications.
• Monitor institutional reputation through media monitoring, social listening, and stakeholder feedback.
• Develop and manage media relations strategies, news releases, crisis communications, and PR content.
• Serve as a primary communications advisor to University leadership.
• Coordinate institutional messaging during significant events, emergencies, or crisis situations.
• Work In partnership with Work Life Engagement on Staff and Faculty news and information communications aimed at employee engagement and culture improvement initiatives.

Content Development & Storytelling

• Oversee the creation of compelling content that highlights student success, faculty achievements, institutional accomplishments, athletics, alumni engagement, and mission-centered initiatives.
• Direct production of digital and print marketing materials, publications, newsletters, web content, video, photography, and social media content.
• Ensure all communications reflect the University's Christian mission and values.

Digital Communications & Web Strategy

• Oversee University website strategy, content management, and digital user experience.
• Lead digital communication efforts including email marketing, social media, search engine optimization (SEO), Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO), and digital advertising.
• Develop and implement responsible and ethical AI strategies that improve efficiency, content creation, audience engagement, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with ADA accessibility standards, FERPA regulations, copyright laws, and industry standard digital communication practices.
• Utilize analytics to measure audience engagement and campaign effectiveness.
• Support campus-wide events, initiatives, and institutional priorities through coordinated marketing efforts.

Leadership & Budget Management

• Provide leadership and supervision to marketing, communications, creative services, digital media, and student staff as assigned.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects using formal project management methodologies.
• Coordinate relationships with advertising agencies, creative vendors, technology providers, photographers, videographers, and consultants.
• Negotiate contracts and evaluate vendor performance to maximize institutional return on investment.
• Manage departmental budgets, vendor relationships, advertising expenditures, and contracted services.
• Establish measurable goals, key performance indicators, and annual departmental priorities.

Minimum Training, Education or Certification Required:

Bachelor's degree in marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business, or related field required. Master's degree in marketing, Communications, Higher Education Leadership, Business, or related field preferred.

Skills Required:

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, enrollment marketing, or related fields.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience required.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, faith-based organizations, or similarly complex organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated budget management experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic marketing and communications planning.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing digital marketing campaigns, social media, websites, and analytics.
• Knowledge of branding, public relations, media relations, and crisis communication.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use metrics to drive decision-making.

Technology and Digital Marketing Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in or the ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and enrollment marketing platforms, specifically Slate.
• Website content management systems (CMS) and web content strategy.
• Email marketing, marketing automation, and audience segmentation tools.
• Social media management, content scheduling, and digital engagement platforms.
• Digital advertising platforms, including Google Ads and social media advertising.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO), and website analytics tools.
• Graphic design, multimedia, photography, video production, and content creation platforms.
• Data analytics, reporting, dashboard development, and performance measurement tools.
• Project management and team collaboration platforms.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies that support content development, campaign management, audience engagement, analytics, and operational efficiency.
• Common higher education technology platforms such as Slate, Salesforce, Element451, WordPress, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and similar systems.