Strategic Marketing Director

Strategic Marketing Director

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Rhinelander, WI

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

1500000311

Department

Marketing

Opening Date

05/01/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of the Vice President of Community Engagement the Strategic Marketing Director provides vision, leadership, and execution of integrated marketing and communications strategies that drive Nicolet College's recruitment and enrollment, strengthen brand positioning and advance strategic priorities. The director is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies that increase awareness, generate prospective student demand, and improve conversion and retention outcomes. This position oversees brand strategy, digital marketing, public relations, and content development, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and a consistent, compelling voice across all channels. As an institutional leader, the director partners closely with Admissions, Enrollment, Academic Affairs, Arts & Enrichment, and college leadership to align marketing efforts with recruitment, retention, and community engagement priorities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

(This list is not all-inclusive; other duties may be required and assigned.)

College Marketing Strategy

• Create, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, date driven marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the strategic plan and enrollment goals.
• Lead integrated marketing campaigns that support the full student lifecycle, from awareness and inquiry through enrollment and retention.
• Oversee branding, storytelling, and student-centered messaging that supports recruitment, retention, student success, academic programs, and community impact.
• Partner with Admissions and Enrollment leadership to align marketing strategies with recruitment goals, target audiences, and funnel performance.
• Collaborate with Admissions and Enrollment to establish and monitor key performance indicators including lead generation, conversion rates, cost per enrollment, and campaign effectiveness.
• Utilize data analytics, market research, and audience insights to inform strategy, optimize performance, and guide decision making.
• Supervise the department and maintenance of the College website, publications, and official College social media channels.
• Direct public relations, media relations, and reputation management efforts, including proactive storytelling and response communications.

Administrative Leadership

• Lead the Marketing Team in managing campaigns and initiatives, including the public website, advertising, social media, print, photography, marketing and support videos, animation and instructional media.
• Mentor and develop a high performing Marketing Team through daily leadership, coaching, and professional development to foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee digital marketing strategy, including paid media, search engine optimization (SOE), social media, email marketing, and web strategy.
• Serve as the primary liaison with College partners to align marketing communications. Build strong relationships with college leadership, faculty, the admissions manager and team, and others to enhance recruitment and outreach activities.
• Ensure all marketing and communication activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and College policies, including accessibility standards, copyright, and date privacy requirements.
• Develop, implement and oversee marketing and communications policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with accessibility, copyright, data privacy, and brand governance requirements across all platforms.
• Oversee department budgets and determine media advertising spend for the College.
• Recruit, engage and oversee external partners such as agencies, consultants, and freelancers.
• Direct long-term projects and daily workflow of team projects with multiple competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Provide periodic presentations and reports to the Executive Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees for areas of supervision.
• Participate in appropriate college leadership and work groups and Wisconsin Technical College system teams.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic marketing initiatives that drive measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of enrollment marketing, recruitment funnels, and student decision making processes.
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights and strategic direction.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Superior project management skills with the ability to execute multiple timelines simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively.
• Ability to forecast and identify trends and challenges.
• Ability to develop and maintain the College's overall marketing budget.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships across the College, district and state.
• Ability to interact well with internal and external stakeholders and make sound judgments in a variety of situations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, advertising, public relations, business or a related field.
• Minimum of five or more years of experience in marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, admissions or enrollment management position.
• Proven experience setting strategy, vision and leading a high-performance team.
• Experience with managing content on a variety of platforms including websites, digital media, social media, print and video.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects to completion within deadlines and across multiple teams.
• Experience data analytics to inform strategy and measure performance.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication skills with an emphasis on written communications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Marketing and enrollment leadership experience in a higher education environment.
• Experience with CRM systems, marketing automation, and digital analytics platforms.
• Experience leading brand strategy or institutional positioning efforts.

Physical Demands:

Level 1- Minor physical exertion required to perform the job. Most work occurs in an office or at a workstation.

Other

Compensation:

The typical starting salary range is 108,347.00- 123, 843.00 per year. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Includes a comprehensive benefit package. View details at nicoletcollege.edu/employment

Application Procedure:

Apply at nicoletcollege.edu/employment. Attach a cover letter that addresses how your background and experience are consistent with the requirements of the position, a current resume, and unofficial transcripts of coursework/certificates. Applications received by 4 p.m. Sunday May 31st, 2026, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Nicolet Area Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment, admissions or its programs or activities.

Were proud to offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package and competitive wages. Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

• Paid Time Off - holidays, bereavement leave, and six-weeks paid time off for FT employees
• Health Insurance with UMR - employer pays 88-91% of premiums
• Direct Primary Care
• Employer contribution to HSA for employees enrolled in HDHP
• Dental Insurance with Delta Dental - employer pays 95% of premiums for single; 92% for family plan
• Vision Insurance with Superior Vision - optional; 2 plans to choose from
• Life Insurance - employer pays 100% for Basic coverage; optional Additional and Spouse/Dependent coverage
• Long Term Disability Insurance - employer pays 100%
• Short Term Disability Insurance - optional; paid by employee
• Employee Assistance Program - employer pays 100%
• Required participation in Wisconsin Retirement System
• Optional Participation in Section 125 Plan - Flexible Spending Account
• Optional Participation in Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan -- 403(b) and 457(b) plans
• Professional Development Funding
• Degree Pursuit Reimbursement - by application, after 1 year of service
• Employee Mentoring Program
• Wellness Initiatives
• Ergonomic assessments
• On-site mammograms and flu shots
• Support for mothers
• Teladoc online medical services
• Tobacco Cessation
• Walking trails
• Weight loss and nutrition programming
• Hinge Health as a virtual physical therapy option paid by employer

Benefits are pro-rated for some part-time positions. Eligible employees will receive timely notification if/as they become eligible to participate in benefit programs.

Additional services and on-site resources include:

• Art Gallery - Highlights collaboration with local non-profits, public art on campus, social gatherings, and dynamic conversations.

• Community Classes - We believe learning is for life! Get creative with classes in a variety of areas:

• Arts & Crafts

• Computers & Technology for Home

• Food & Cooking

• Health & Fitness

• Motorcycle Certification

• Outdoor Adventure Series

• Personal Enrichment

• Food and Dining

• A La Carte Service - grab n go items, operated by Culinary students.

• Lakeside Cafe and Market - located in the Lakeside Center.

• Top of the Hill Buffett - a student-run restaurant offering a range of cuisine prepared and served by student chefs. Operates during spring semester.

• Library

• Check out a wide variety of items including books/audiobooks, DVDs, music on CDs, magazines, newspapers, and electronic items like laptops, cameras, and recorders.

• Participate in events/offerings throughout the year.

• Tours and research assistance.

• Room Rental and Catering

• Conference and technology classrooms, computer labs, and a theatre are available for rent, and we offer catering services.

• Salon

• Studio 113 - Cosmetology students provide a range of hair care, nail care, and spa services.

• Theatre

• Nicolet Live! brings a diverse offering of events to celebrate the performing arts from the Northwoods and around the world including theatre, music, and film events.

01

Do you possess a bachelors degree in journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, business or related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a minimum of five or more years experience in marketing, advertising, public relations, admissions, communications, or enrollment management position?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Nicolet Area Technical College

Address 5364 College Drive

PO Box 518

Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501

Phone 715-365-4571

Website http://nicoletcollege.edu