Director of Marketing and Communications

5630

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

The Director of Marketing and Communications at the Knauss School of Business works under the guidance of the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Recruitment to oversee the Knauss School of Business’s marketing and communications strategy, leading campaigns and initiatives that enhance awareness and reputation, while ensuring brand alignment and consistency with USD’s visual identity, messaging platform and brand. The Director leads a team of marketing and communications professionals in establishing and managing the brand reputation and visibility of the Knauss School of Business, to national and international audiences. Together with the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Recruitment, the school’s Centers of Distinction and University Marketing and Communications, the Director collaborates on strategies that position and promote the school, its initiatives, students, alumni, programs and centers. In addition, the Director also oversees strategic events management and ensures event-related alignment in implementing best practices and achieving strategic initiatives. The Director also provides support for dean communications, fundraising and special campaign materials, donor proposals, centers collateral, and special events programming, including print, video, email, social media, and talking points or scripting.  The role requires flexibility in working some evenings and weekends, as well as occasionally traveling.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Oversee School-Wide Marketing, Branding and Communications

• Support the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Recruitment in the strategic planning of marketing and communications for the Knauss School of Business and its portfolio of programs.
• Oversee the execution of a comprehensive internal and external marketing, communications and brand strategy and plan designed to support the Knauss School of Business thought leadership initiatives, development and alumni activities, taking into consideration institutional image, message, positioning, mission, goals, priorities and accomplishments of the school.
• Lead a highly functional Knauss School of Business marketing team that supports, manages and oversees collateral development, video production, website development, media relations, website development, etc. for the school’s centers and institutes, as well as high-level events, fundraising campaigns, alumni outreach and more.
• Generates and measures the impact of lead generation campaigns, positive media coverage about the Knauss School of Business, rankings, and other marketing and communications tactics that bring visibility and revenue to the Knauss School of Business
• Collaborate with other members of the University Marketing and Communications team, University Advancement colleagues, and members of the campus community to increase the visibility of Knauss School of Business strategic initiatives, thought leadership, new programs and student/alumni success
• Assists with internal communications from leadership, fundraising materials, donor proposals, center collateral, and special event programming, including print, video, email, social media, and scripting. 
• Oversee Knauss School of Business PR strategy and measurement along with USD media relations team and external agencies
• Oversee event marketing coordinators, ensuring effective promotion, consistent brand messaging and elevated event experiences across the school

Strategic Events Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all marketing and communications related to events, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and brand standards.
• Oversee the planning and execution of a comprehensive events portfolio (e.g., brand activations, thought leadership events, internal and external engagement events, and signature school events) led by the Strategic Events Manager and Coordinator.
• Establish clear event objectives, success metrics, and ROI frameworks tied to brand visibility, audience engagement, and overall marketing impact.
• Supervise and support the Strategic Events Manager and Coordinator by setting priorities, providing guidance, and ensuring accountability for timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Ensure cross-functional coordination with internal stakeholders (e.g., academic units, leadership, communications teams) and external partners to deliver cohesive, high-quality event experiences that reinforce the brand.
• Monitor event execution at a high level, proactively identifying risks, resolving escalated issues, and ensuring events are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Review and analyze event performance data (attendance, engagement, feedback, and brand impact) to inform continuous improvement and future event strategy and, as appropriate, share with internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, including contracts, vendor management, budgeting, and risk management, in collaboration with the Knauss School Finance and Administration team.
• Champion innovation in event strategy by incorporating emerging trends, technologies, and hybrid/virtual engagement models to enhance reach and effectiveness.
• Represent the marketing and communications function in high-level event planning discussions and serve as an executive presence at key events, reinforcing brand positioning and institutional messaging.

Department Administration

• Hires, trains, supervises and evaluates department admin and staff members
• Manages marketing team budget to achieve operational goals, approves expenditures and ensures overall compliance with the budget
• Identifies and implements cost-saving, budgetary efficiencies
• Works with Finance and Administration Team on multiple vendor agreements to ensure compliance with university policies
• In collaboration with the Associate Dean, negotiates vendor contracts as they relate to marketing strategies
• Provides creative, viable solutions to operational challenges
• Provides regular updates to internal and external stakeholders on departmental initiatives, efforts and outcomes

Other duties as assigned

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends, as well as travel occasionally.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with preference given to business, marketing or related field
• 5 years of experience in leadership roles in marketing, brand development or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with preference given to business, marketing, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in higher education marketing, branding or related field

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to develop, direct, and implement strategic marketing strategies for school-wide communications and recruitment
• Proven leadership and effective strategic planning skills
• Lead generation, lead nurturing and conversion skills using the latest in digital marketing technology
• Experience and strong knowledge of CRM (customer relationship) and CMS (customer management) systems
• Experience planning, developing, directing, implementing and evaluating strategic marketing and communications plans, programs and activities applicable to a university
• Understanding of consumer marketing mix and customer journey mapping
• Experience interacting with the professional business community
• Ability to manage, motivate and teach staff and vendors to deliver high quality executions of campaigns on multiple concurrent projects
• High level of budgetary and financial experience, which includes development of marketing and lead generation budgets and negotiating contracts
• Proven experience leading a high-functioning team, including the ability to hire, manage, and motivate staff, and lead in a team environment
• Solid understanding of university marketing and admissions trends and best practices
• Experience developing and delivering executive level presentations and reports to a wide variety of audiences
• Computers and software (including MS Word, Access or other databases, Internet, Web, Hubspot, Salesforce, Google Analytics, CMS and CRM systems, etc.)
• Excellent knowledge of SEO, web traffic metrics and digital marketing platforms including Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, YouTube and others
• Being comfortable in working with others from different cultures and countries
• Human relations and interpersonal communications
• Exercising self-initiative and creativity
• Be able to function with the highest degree of autonomy
• Operation of personal computer equipment and web management
• Time management and organization of multi-tasking work requirements
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing
• Working with diverse personalities
• Working independently using good judgment, initiative and creativity
• Familiar and comfortable with working with students
• Being flexible and versatile in coping with evolving situations
• Being able to handle the stress of last-minute deadlines and changes
• Ability to assume responsibility and effectively resolve problems by exercising independent judgment
• Interacting with faculty, academic administrators and students
• Project or event management

$7,916.67 - $8,916.67 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letterand resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at

jobs@sandiego.edu

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. In addition, the Knauss School of Business offers two different compressed work schedule options following a 9/75 structure in which employees have 1 to 1.5 days off over every two-week period as well as a hybrid option for those positions that can complete some work remotely.

Closing date: July 26, 2026

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.