Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications

Associated Students, San Diego State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Students at San Diego State University is seeking an Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications to lead the marketing strategy, oversee branding across departments, and coordinate comprehensive communications efforts campus-wide.

You will supervise the Marketing department staff, partner with student leaders, and develop data-informed planning, social media policy, and campaigns that tell the A.S. story to the campus community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, student affairs or related field required; Master's preferred.
• Five years experience in marketing, communications and assessment strategies; campus experience preferred.
• Three years supervisory/management experience required.
• Trainings: Anti-Harassment Training for Supervisors; Workplace Violence Prevention; Data Security & Privacy; Gender Awareness Training.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee Associated Students marketing and strategic communication efforts.
• Coordinate branding efforts and ensure continuity across departments and for AS-wide initiatives.
• Develop, administer and analyze assessment strategy for AS student employees, volunteers, staff and participants.
• Oversee Marketing Department campaigns, messaging, digital marketing and public relations.
• Lead focus groups, needs assessments and surveys to gauge campus perceptions and satisfaction.
• Interact with SDSU StratComm/PR and media as AS representative; share outcomes with leadership.
• Communicate with senior staff about marketing outcomes, programs and initiatives.
• Supervise AS social media presence and develop policy for platforms.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Supervisory skills

Marketing knowledge

Budgeting

Collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing/related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications

• Posted 14-Oct-2026 (PST)

Priority consideration deadline: Tuesday, October 28, 2026. Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000 Annually

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the guidance and direction of the Associate Executive Director of Associated Students in coordination with the A.S. Executive Director, the Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications is responsible for facilitating the A.S. marketing and communications strategic plan, and coordinating the development and implementation of the marketing, strategic communication and assessment efforts for Associated Students. The position works closely with students and student leaders, including the A.S. Vice President of External Affairs and the A.S. Marketing and Communications Committee, to tell the A.S. story to the campus community. The position collaborates with all A.S. programming entities to assist in marketing and assessment efforts. Further, this position coordinates the branding and marketing efforts of all departments of the Associated Students throughout the SDSU community. In close coordination with the A.S. Vice President of External Affairs, responds to media inquiries. This position supervises and provides direction to the Marketing department, which includes full- and part-time staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and oversees Associated Students marketing and strategic communication efforts
• Coordinates the A.S. branding efforts. Ensures continuity within departments and for A.S.-wide efforts. Adapts and adjusts A.S. branding based on assessment feedback and changes in trends
• Develops, administers and analyzes assessment strategy for Associated Students student employees, volunteers, staff and program participants. Coordinates with various A.S. departments in the dissemination of assessments, targeted response groups, and utilization for data informed planning and decisions
• Oversees the Marketing Department, including campaigns, messaging, digital marketing and public relations
• Leads regular focus groups, needs assessments, and surveys to ascertain campus views, customer satisfaction and perceptions of Associated Students as a whole
• Serves as the A.S. representative on the SDSU Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (StratComm) committee. Ensures meeting minutes, communications and initiatives are shared with A.S. leadership
• Works closely with A.S. Executive Director and the A.S. Vice President of External Affairs in response to media inquires
• Communicates regularly with A.S. Senior Staff regarding marketing communications, assessment results, and new and existing programs, services and initiatives
• Supervises A.S. social media presence including all A.S. accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat) and strategically utilizes each account to communicate with diverse demographics. Develops and implements social media policy
• Develops and implements marketing strategies for new and existing A.S. programs and services
• Responsible for the editorial direction, design and distribution of all A.S. communications to include newsletters, A.S. Annual Report, brochures, calendars and other communications as needed
• Formulates and recommends marketing and graphics policies and procedures. Coordinates the appearance of all A.S. print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logos, brochures, email signatures, etc.
• Develops, monitors and is responsible for adherence to the Associated Students marketing budget
• Provides administrative oversight for the marketing, communication and major events in which Associated Students coordinates and administers
• Chairs the A.S. Marketing and Assessment Roundtable
• Provides oversight responsibility through the recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation of Marketing staff

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum & Preferred Requirements

Education

• Four year degree from an accredited college or university with a major in marketing, public relations, communications, student affairs or a related field required. Master's degree preferred

Experience

• Five years experience in developing marketing, communication and assessment strategies required. Experience working on a university campus preferred
• Three years supervisory/management experience required

Trainings (Must be completed within 30 days of hire)

• Anti-Harassment Training for Supervisors
• Workplace Violence Prevention
• Data Security & Privacy
• Gender Awareness Training

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Must professionally represent the Associated Students and San Diego State University at all times
• Must be able to perform a high level of customer service in a diverse and constantly changing environment
• Demonstrated success in mentoring work teams of diverse functions, complying with organizational policies and procedures and supporting change within an organization
• Commitment to values of diversity, multi-culturalism, and higher education
• Successfully leads and oversees Associated Students marketing and strategic communication efforts

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to relate and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, faculty, colleagues and guests
• Proven necessary supervisory skills including, but are not limited to: hiring, inspecting, analyzing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling, assigning, receiving, controlling, training, instructing, documenting, recommending and reporting
• Knowledge of effective marketing principles and techniques
• Knowledge of and experience in program planning and implementation
• Knowledge of and skill in budgeting and fiscal management
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with student organizations, campus departments, and student union customers
• Must have strong communication skills (verbally and written) to communicate at a level appropriate to the duties of the position
• Ability to create and implement ideas to promote programs and activities
• Ability to develop and conduct workshops and training programs
• Ability to achieve assigned objectives, within budget and desired time frame
• Ability to gather and organize data, draw logical conclusions and discern implications
• Ability to present a consistent positive approach to students and all internal and external contacts by being courteous, respectful, helpful and cooperative at all times
• Strong ability to lead and motivate student employees and volunteers
• Ability to interpret and communicate policies and procedures
• Ability to work with a diverse SDSU community
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Must be able to exercise tact and exhibit sound professional judgment

SCHEDULE & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a regular, full-time position with expected hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General office environment. Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and walking around campus. The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the individual to spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers. This person will also spend time filing and have to do some lifting of supplies and materials from time to time, including banker boxes and files.

Physical requirements include talking, listening, sitting, standing, walking, manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, use of office equipment including but not limited to computers, scanners, printers, telephones, copiers, fax machines, corrected vision, and hearing to standard range.

RELATIONSHIPS

Inside the Organization

• Reports to the Associate Executive Director
• Marketing & Communications Coordinator
• Videographer Lead
• Provides direction to the Marketing team
• Collaborates closely with A.S. Senior Staff
• Works closely with A.S. Executive Officers, particularly the V.P. of External Relations
• Works closely with A.S. Marketing and Assessment Roundtable and the A.S. Marketing & Communications Committee
• Works closely with A.S. Graphics team

Outside the Organization

• SDSU Strategic Communications & Public Affairs and other campus partners
• Media Outlets

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered this position with Associated Students. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current Associated Students employees who apply for the position.