Reporting to the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, the director leads the development and implementation of a cohesive marketing strategy that builds a connected, engaged, and empowered community of Columbia College students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni. Through a cross-channel, user-focused set of strategies, the Director will lead a team of marketers in optimizing touchpoints that guide students through their undergraduate journey, engage faculty and staff in the College mission, and promote programs, events, volunteering opportunities and community news to alumni and parents, to build an inspired College community. This individual will manage a team that works across web, email, social, print, and emerging channels to educate, support and inspire constituents in their Columbia College experience and engagement. S/he will map out long term priorities and lead the team to develop results-oriented campaigns that optimize channel strategy, enhance user experience, leverage analytics and insights, and present relevant messaging and high impact branded creative assets. This director will design and implement customer-focused strategies that leverages technology, data and insights to create intelligent segmentation strategies, relevant and clear messaging, on-brand visual design and effective layout, all grounded in industry best practices and the changing landscape of digital marketing.
The Director will work closely with internal clients to understand their business challenges and how marketing can contribute to their efforts as well as drive engagement directly through marketing interactions with our many audiences. S/he will also closely collaborate with internal client partners and cross-campus communications teams to coordinate on content and editorial strategies and to ensure alignment with strategic goals of the institution.
Responsibilities
The Director will manage the team's day-to-day development of strategic campaign plans for major program offerings from the College and its key units, working closely with partners to define campaign objectives, audience needs and intended results. S/he will provide oversight and direction in the development of marketing assets (digital, email, print, media) that include high end gala invitations, volunteer solicitations, newsletters, promotional items and other marketing that educate, build pride and tie to strategic initiatives of the College. S/he will closely manage staff in their development of all marketing strategies to balance priorities and meet key goals, while mapping out a sophisticated creative strategy that meets customer expectations and drives response and action in the user base.
The Director will work closely with the team to develop a cohesive and integrated multi-channel strategy across social media channels, print, web and email, considering user journey, test and learn, reporting and metrics and innovations. In partnership with the larger Communications and Marketing team, the Director will develop a rich and dynamic content plan that incorporates video, graphic design, illustration, photography and written content, to reflect the Columbia experience. The Director will collaborate and influence internal IT and data partners to identify or enhance reporting, and capabilities and systems that help enhance the overall marketing experience.
The Director will build a high performing team by setting clear priorities, strategies and a long-term vision for the marketing team. S/he will coordinate workflow, look to enhance operations and processes, strengthen collaboration with partners and clients and actively support and develop each team member, as appropriate. S/he will drive analytics and strategic assessments, ensuring that a strong culture of learning is established to drive future initiatives and to report out to key partners and clients.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required.
A minimum of 5-7 years of proven marketing experience, developing and implementing campaign strategies, directing creative development and analyzing marketing data.
Experience building and managing websites and other digital marketing tools, including CRM systems, such as Salesforce and Marketing Cloud.
Strong understanding of technical systems and experience in coding is strongly preferred.
Managerial/leadership experience with demonstrated ability to mentor individual team members and foster their development through hands on coaching and training.
Excellent personal communications skills, verbal and written required.
Strong relationship builder, who can work across many lines and drive consensus.
Experience in direct marketing, segmentation and campaign analytics a plus.
Passionate about customer-oriented and 360 communications.
Detail-oriented and commitment to flawless execution in communications required.
**Applications submitted without a resume or cover letter will not be considered**
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Internal Number: 505970
About Columbia University
Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
