Director of Marketing for MSUAO, University Advancement
The Michigan State University Alumni Office (MSUAO) is dedicated to advancing MSU and its alumni by fostering meaningful engagement through connection, service and investment. With over 500,000 alumni representing MSU across the globe, the MSU Alumni Office leverages this collective Spartan power to inspire collaboration and promote positive change.
Reporting to the Executive Director of the MSUAO, the Director of Marketing is responsible for providing broad direction and management of the department’s comprehensive, integrated marketing program that supports its vision, mission, core values and strategic goals. The director leads a skilled, creative and service-oriented team, currently consisting of two communications managers, a digital production lead, a social media specialist and student interns. The director oversees the website and e-communications as well as the planning, design, content, production and distribution of all print and digital materials and media as they support the marketing communication needs of the department. This position will collaborate and work closely with the UA Mar Comm team to execute marketing plans to benefit the external outreach to alumni and friends.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategy Development
Oversees development of integrated marketing and communication plans for the department and its activities.
Oversees brand-focused communications designed to strengthen the alumni engagement function for MSU.
Oversees content strategy across various media including print and digital.
Initiates, conducts or oversees and applies market research as appropriate.
Ensures that milestone dates are met by creative team and follows up with staff and vendors as needed.
Analyzes data to assess success of completed projects.
Oversees multiple projects simultaneously from conception to completion.
Stays current on marketing and digital trends and recommends innovative ideas and fresh concepts to continually enhance the MSUAO visual brand.
Client and Project Management
Meets with staff to assess communication needs and recommends appropriate collateral materials to address those needs. Collateral may include but is not limited to message development, copy development, flyers, brochures, postcards, websites, electronic messaging, promotional materials, etc.
Initiates projects within project management system; maintains electronic records of project details, invoices/payments and design files.
Drafts, revises and proofreads content for a variety of materials including brochures, flyers, postcards, websites, digital messaging, press releases and social media.
Develops project specs and requests estimates from appropriate vendors; works with fiscal officer to secure vendor payment.
Maintains university and MSUAO branding voice and graphic identity and ensures design/voice consistency and quality.
Works with client to review draft materials and makes appropriate changes as necessary.
Develops communications briefs to communicate goals and shared content for MSUAO events and initiatives and shares with MSUAO and other campus communicators as appropriate.
Follows-up with client to determine satisfaction, assess effectiveness of materials and make recommendations for following year.
Administrative
Supervises creative staff, including hiring, scheduling, professional development and conducting annual reviews. Schedules work with creative team to balance workload as much as possible.
Develops annual marketing budget.
Manages vendor contracts; works with fiscal officer to secure vendor payment for long-term agreements; processes invoices on advertising contracts.
Reviews contracts and requests for MSUAO sponsorship of programs and events; works with fiscal officer to process associated payments.
Serves on various project committees and leadership teams.
Serves as liaison between University Communications, other campus communicators and MSUAO.
Communications/Interacts with:
Reports to MSUAO Executive Director
MSUAO Team Leads – to receive or share information and ensure message and work alignment
University Advancement Assistant Vice President and Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications - to receive or share information
Project Managers/Copywriters/Editors/Clients - to receive, formulate, coordinate and provide project information
Design Staff/Student Employees/Support Staff/Outside Vendors - to coordinate and check individual assignments
Printing Representatives - to discuss job specifications and check on job status.
Specialists/Administrators/Information Services Staff/Co-workers - to exchange information.
Volunteers - to provide information.
Photographers - to discuss and/or supervise photography needed for projects.
Purchasing Personnel - to order products.
Business Office Personnel - to maintain correct billing and administrative information.
Computer Office Personnel - to coordinate applications of computer usage.
Website Development Team – to initiate website updates and enhancement of tools
Supervision:
Will have first level supervision over regular employees and student interns.
Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Education, Communications, Public Relations, Advertising or Marketing; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public relations, marketing and/or in planning and coordinating educational and/or other alumni programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Knowledge of marketing strategy, current trends, technology and tools for print and digital design, including Adobe Creative Suite.
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to present a variety of marketing strategies to solve communications issues.
A team player with a passion for effective communication and client service; good interpersonal skills; and active listening skills.
Familiarity with higher education, alumni outreach and student engagement.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
Resume and Cover Letter
Work Hours
Working hours are 8AM to 5PM with some nights and weekends.
Bidding and Eligibility Ends on 1/19/2021 at 11:55 PM
Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.
