Director of Marketing & Communications

Director of Marketing and Communications

Job Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications provides strategic leadership for Frontier Nursing University's integrated marketing, communications, and branding efforts. This role is responsible for developing, executing, and continuously improving a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that advances the university's mission, strengthens brand awareness, drives prospective student inquiry and enrollment, builds long‑term institutional reputation, and supports fundraising and alumni engagement.

The Director is expected to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and make timely, data‑informed decisions to advance university priorities. This position ensures that Frontier Nursing University's history, mission, and vision are consistently and effectively communicated to internal and external audiences across all channels, including print, digital, social media, advertising, media relations, and emerging platforms.

This role requires a decisive, forward-thinking leader who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment, using data, market intelligence, and sound judgment to elevate the university's marketing and communications function to a best-in-class level.

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to the Chief Advancement Officer.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the development, execution, and ongoing evaluation of a comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with institutional priorities, including enrollment, advancement, and brand positioning.
• Exercise clear decision-making authority over marketing priorities, messaging, resource allocation, vendor selection, and performance outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to university leadership on market trends, brand positioning, reputational risk, and communications strategy.
• Establish and maintain systems, workflows, and standards that ensure efficiency, responsiveness, and alignment across all marketing and communications efforts.

2. Brand Management & Institutional Positioning

• Ensure a consistent, cohesive brand identity across all university communications, marketing initiatives, and audience touchpoints.
• Proactively identify opportunities to strengthen brand awareness, market position, enrollment growth, and institutional loyalty.
• Guide institutional messaging to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with the university's voice and strategic goals.

3. Marketing Strategy, Digital Engagement & Lead Generation

• Direct all advertising and lead generation efforts, including digital marketing, media planning, SEO/SEM, and campaign strategy.
• Oversee website strategy, digital storytelling, and user experience in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Analyze campaign performance and audience data to optimize effectiveness, improve conversion rates, and ensure strong return on investment.
• Monitor emerging trends and technologies to recommend and implement innovative marketing approaches.

4. Communications & Public Relations

• Oversee the development and approval of institutional communications, ensuring accuracy, quality, and alignment with brand standards.
• Lead public relations strategy, including media relations, press outreach, and institutional messaging, in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for media and external communications, coordinating interviews, messaging, and responses as needed.
• Monitor the external environment to anticipate and proactively address reputational risks and opportunities.

5. Market Intelligence & Strategic Insight

• Analyze market dynamics, audience trends, and the competitive landscape to inform strategy.
• Translate data and insights into actionable recommendations that support institutional decision-making and growth.

6. Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Lead, supervise, and develop marketing and communications staff, ensuring high performance and accountability.
• Establish clear priorities, expectations, and workflows that support timely, high-quality execution of projects.
• Foster a collaborative, results-oriented team culture aligned with the university's Culture of Caring.
• Oversee vendor relationships, including evaluation, performance management, and alignment with institutional goals.

7. Assessment, Reporting & Budget Oversight

• Develop and manage the annual marketing and communications budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.
• Establish metrics and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing, communications, and public relations efforts.
• Provide regular reporting and strategic insights to senior leadership to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

8. Institutional Engagement & Professional Service

• Participate in university committees, initiatives, and shared governance to support institutional priorities.
• Represent the university in professional organizations and external engagements that elevate institutional visibility.
• Model and uphold the principles of the university's Culture of Caring.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, take initiative, and make timely, informed decisions.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to motivate teams and drive results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial judgment.
• Proven ability to develop and execute integrated marketing and communications plans.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data to evaluate performance and inform strategy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
• Experience partnering effectively across departments and with senior leadership.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field required.
• Minimum of eight years of direct marketing experience required, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Minimum of five years of supervising a marketing team required.
• Experience in marketing and communications within higher education is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of implementing successful marketing and communication strategies.

Work Location

Versailles, KY

Eligible for a hybrid telecommute agreement after 30 days of employment with supervisor approval.