Client Success Director (MarComm for Educational Clients)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Do you love the mission of academic institutions?

So do we. The schools and education organizations we serve are working to shape lives and communities, and thoughtful marketing and communications is how more families find them, trust them, and choose them. We're a full-service, globally connected firm in business consulting, marketing, brand, and communications. Since 1996 we've served businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, industry associations, and political campaigns — partnering with organizations ready to move to the next level, and hiring people ready to do the same.

Grounded in sound market research and a passion for the 3 E's — Excellence, Effectiveness, and Efficiency — we help clients identify strategic opportunities and build the plans to meet and exceed their goals.

We're looking for a MarComm Client Success Director to lead our work with educational clients: schools and education-sector organizations navigating enrollment, advancement, reputation, and growth. The right person pairs marketing range with a real feel for Hawaii's culture, communities, and marketplace. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.

Your application

We're looking for a particular kind of marketer — equal parts strategist, leader, and problem-solver. Please answer the three questions below; applications without them won't be considered.

1. Teamwork. Tell us about a time you brought a team together, and the part you played in leading or influencing a breakthrough.
2. Problem-solving. Tell us about a problem you were directly involved in solving, and the results of your work.
3. Passion. Tell us what you do to fuel your passion outside your day-to-day work, and the areas you're especially drawn to.

What you'll do

Client leadership. Own relationships with assigned education clients and serve as their trusted strategic partner — understanding their goals, anticipating their needs, and making sure the work delivers.

Marketing and communications. Direct integrated, results-oriented programs across paid, earned, and owned channels — enrollment and advancement campaigns, brand and messaging, content, and public relations — delivered by our internal Marketing, Communications, and Creative teams and partners in Hawaii and around the world.

Reputation and stakeholder communications. Guide how clients show up and speak — media relations, executive and community messaging, and issues or crisis communications when reputation is on the line.

Project management. Manage the projects tied to your clients — timelines, budgets, and vendors — coordinating across the agency team and any vendors to hold the highest standards of quality and performance and to meet or exceed objectives.

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field (minimum)
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in an academic institution
• Agency experience preferred but not required
• A track record of growing responsibility and results

What you bring

Account and leadership strengths

• A strategic, client-first mindset and the judgment to lead, not just execute
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; equally a leader and a teammate
• Sharp attention to detail, organization, and analytical thinking
• Entrepreneurial drive and high energy
• Familiarity with Hawaii's history, culture, and marketplace (a must)
• An ongoing love of learning

Communications craft

• Excellent writing and editing across formats — messaging, content, media materials, and executive or stakeholder communications
• Media and public relations: earned media, message development, and spokesperson support
• Reputation, issues, and crisis communications — and a cool head when it counts
• A sharp instinct for audience, tone, and the right channel for the message

Marketing and digital fluency — enough depth to set strategy, evaluate work, and guide the teams who execute:

• SEO/SEM, email, social, and display advertising
• Search and AI-era visibility (SEO and GEO/AEO) and how audiences find information today
• Audience targeting and campaigns that engage, inform, and motivate
• Landing pages, user funnels, and A/B or multivariate testing
• Google Ads and paid media
• Website and campaign analytics
• Current trends and best practices across digital channels and social platforms

Working with AI

• Familiarity, or real expertise, with AI tools for research, ideation, content, and workflow, used with judgment so you own the thinking and stand behind the finished work

Client sectors

Our education work sits within a broad portfolio. Experience in any of these is welcome, with education and education-adjacent sectors especially valued:

Education · Government & political campaigns · Financial services · Healthcare · Hospitality · Retail · Manufacturing · Energy · Technology

Perks

• Parking subsidy or monthly Bus Pass
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Health Insurance coverage (including Acupuncture and Massage) paid by employer
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance available
• Flex Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Year-end performance bonus
• Paid Vacation, Holiday and Sick Pay
• Professional development supported

APPLY NOW

• The screening process includes interviews, written and math tests, reference checks and a background check. If hired, you will be in good company as your colleagues have all gone through the same screening process.
• Candidates must be ready to begin work within a month of offer; therefore only candidates currently on island (or en route to return/relocate to Hawaii) will be considered.