Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Singapore Management University is a place where high-level professionalism blends together with a healthy informality. The 'family-like' atmosphere among the SMU community fosters a culture where employees work, plan, organise, and play together building a strong collegiality and morale within the university. Our commitment to attract and retain talent is ongoing. We offer attractive benefits and welfare, competitive compensation packages, and generous professional development opportunities all to meet the work-life needs of our staff. No wonder, then, that SMU continues to be given numerous awards and recognition for its human resource excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

We're looking for a strategic and hands-on Senior Manager in Marketing & Communications who thrives in a dynamic environment and is comfortable with change. You'll drive integrated marketing efforts that elevate brand visibility, engage key audiences, and support our growth objectives.

Integrated Marketing Planning & Strategy

• Plan and execute cross-channels and end-to-end marketing campaigns (digital, print, events) with consistent brand messaging to drive the goals of the programme, including brand awareness, engagement, and call-for-applications.
• Develop campaign briefs, timelines, budgets, and KPIs.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to align, integrate, and leverage marketing initiatives.
• Track campaign effectiveness and optimize based on performance data.
• Provide insights to inform future efforts.
• Monitor market trends, competitor analysis and shareholder feedback to shape positioning and messaging, and continuously refine strategies.

Digital Marketing

• Execute SEO/SEM, social media, email campaigns, website updates, and other digital engagement strategies to enhance programme's visibility.
• Grow digital presence and engagement through data-driven campaigns.
• Track and report key performance metrics, optimising campaigns for continuous improvement.

Content Marketing

• Develop high-quality content (articles, videos, etc.) for internal & external channels.
• Drive storytelling and thought leadership in the innovation ecosystem.
• Manage a content calendar and ensure timely, relevant output.
• Repurpose content across platforms to maximize visibility.

PR & Media Support

• Brainstorm compelling media angles and publicity opportunities related to the programme.
• Track media coverage and industry trends to guide communications.
• Draft press releases, op-eds, and media responses.
• Support media outreach and interviews.

Marketing Team Coordination

• Coordinate with the marketing team to align communication and marketing initiatives with organizational goals.
• Facilitate collaboration across the team to ensure seamless execution of marketing campaigns and projects.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the marketing team and other departments, ensuring alignment and efficient communication.
• Monitor the progress of marketing initiatives, providing support and guidance to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Promote synergy between marketing efforts and corporate communications strategies for a cohesive external presence.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or related fields.
• More than 5 years of relevant working experience.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing channels, strategies, and tracking tools.
• Proficient in digital communication and social media platforms.
• Skilled in design and video editing.
• Strong copywriting abilities across both short-form and long-form content.
• Experience with EDMs and email marketing platforms (e.g., MailChimp, Customer.io) is a plus.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Detail-oriented, team player, and highly motivated to achieve success.
• Analytical mindset with strong conceptual thinking and research skills.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates ownership and accountability, with urgency in meeting tight deadlines.
• Able to think systemically and understand cross-functional linkages.
• Up-to-date with industry trends in innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Prior experience working in a PR/marketing agency, startup, or knowledge in innovation and entrepreneurship will be a plus.