About the position
The University Relations division speaks with a unified, authentic and resonant voice to strategically advance the University of Denver's brand with four goals in mind: to promote and protect DU's reputation, to inspire students to enroll and engage, to increase inclusion, and to strengthen the University. University Relations aims to strengthen DU's strategic position locally, regionally and nationally through data-driven and authentic storytelling across multiple channels with focused support on the university's value drivers: academics and research; enrollment and admissions, athletics and advancement. Whether through public or media relations, digital strategies, social media, print, podcast, issues or crisis management, community relations or thought leadership and training, University Relations drives results through narratives that involve words, pictures and design. With true understanding of and connection with our diverse audiences, we aim to foster collaborative problem solving, creativity and innovation.
Responsibilities
- Develop, distribute and optimize marketing toolkits intended to support and empower faculty and staff to accurately represent and promote DU.
- Manage the MarComm swag inventory and identify and source products and giveaways to support marketing campaigns and efforts.
- Identify opportunities for DU brand involvement such as sponsorships, partnerships, speaking opportunities, and more.
- Collaborate with campus partners and MarComm colleagues to generate excitement and awareness of DU's 3 signature events, leading to strong attendance and an exciting atmosphere.
- Identify and capitalize on opportunities to shape experiences, create memories and gather quality brand content throughout the year.
- Oversee execution and management of brand marketing activations and coordinate with MarComm teams for on-site event coverage.
- Monitor peer/competitor institutions' brand marketing for trends, design concepts and creative approaches to ensure DU stands apart.
- Create and execute an annual content marketing strategy that achieves three primary goals: extend the reach, visibility and affinity for the DU brand; increase traffic and engagement for content on a variety of platforms; attract potential students, donors, peer institutions, thought leaders and others to engage with the DU brand.
- Leverage capabilities across the department and other campus partner units to curate comprehensive, compelling stories distributed through multiple channels and media platforms.
- Serve as primary steward of DU's brand in marketing copy and collateral to ensure consistent representation of brand voice and tone.
- Identify and execute distribution strategies for collaborative storytelling projects to ensure content is served to the right audiences at the right time.
- Ensure marketing best practices are implemented into stories amplified for brand marketing purposes.
- Maintain the university-wide proof point library in conjunction with campus partners, and establishing SOPs, systems and standards for updating and disseminating content for use in marketing materials across campus.
- Oversee the social media team, strategy and content to engage with DU's target audiences and effectively build community and brand affinity on social platforms.
- Serve as lead project manager for brand marketing projects and content packages in support of division and university strategic goals and initiatives.
- Draft strategic briefs and other internal guiding documents to assist all team members with common understanding and achievement of project goals.
- Coordinate the work of cross-functional teams and vendors responsible for high-quality deliverables.
- Track KPIs and provide reporting on engagement and impact of content and initiatives.
- Provide guidance and feedback to direct report(s) to develop their strengths, increase their impact, and meet the needs of DU.
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
- At least 5 years of experience in a marketing and/or content strategy role.
- Must possess excellent writing and grammar skills, along with the general ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form.
Nice-to-haves
- Experiential and/or guerrilla marketing activation experience.
- Experience planning and executing strategic marketing and/or communications campaigns.
- Experience creating written content specifically for marketing purposes.
- Project management certification.
- Experience in or demonstrable understanding of the higher education industry.
- Supervisory experience.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Tuition benefit
- ECO pass
