Associate Director, Brand and Marketing Strategy

Santa Clara University; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara University is seeking an Associate Director of Brand and Marketing Strategy to lead market research, develop comprehensive branding campaigns, and work with cross‑functional teams across the University Marketing and Communications division. The role focuses on elevating awareness and reputational impact for university focus areas through multi‑platform storytelling.

The ideal candidate will combine strong brand leadership with data‑driven marketing disciplines, project management,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a major such as marketing, business, advertising, digital marketing, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyze information to inform market conditions and focus area campaigns.
• Collaborate with campus units to develop and execute branding and marketing strategies.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to manage campaigns and ensure brand consistency.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business/Advertising or related field

Job description

Position Title:

Associate Director, Brand and Marketing Strategy

Position Type:

Regular

Hiring Range:

$102,800 - $128,560 annual; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Annual

Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit, Catholic University in the center of Silicon Valley, infusing ethics and social consciousness in a rigorous cross‑disciplinary education for its more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

In 2022, the University welcomed its first woman, lay president, Julie Sullivan. In January 2024, the University completed a nine‑year, $1 billion campaign that has transformed the University through scholarships and new, cutting‑edge learning facilities. She also led the University through the creation of a bold new strategic plan, Impact 2030, which was finalized in February 2024. The plan focuses on:
Sustainability

• Affordable access to a Santa Clara education for all talented students
• Human‑centered solutions to the world's most pressing issues
• Intercultural initiatives to expand learning, research, and service on a global scale
• A deep commitment to a culture of belonging and inclusion

Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities and No. 13 for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report, Santa Clara has among the best four‑year graduation rates in the nation. PayScale has rated the University among the top 10 schools nationwide for salaries of its alumni five and 10 years after graduation. Santa Clara has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars, as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high‑tech innovation with social consciousness, all grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. Santa Clara is home to 20 NCAA Division I programs, winning 60 West Coast Conference titles and three NCAA national championships across men's and women's sports. Our athletes have gone on to success at the highest level, winning Olympic gold medals, World Cups, NBA world championships, and two NBA MVP awards.

Through strategic, cross‑platform storytelling, the University Marketing and Communications (UMC) division supports Santa Clara University’s enrollment, advancement, and leadership priorities. UMC units include brand strategy; design and visual identity; social and earned media; web and digital communications; and crisis, internal, and executive communications. UMC produces Santa Clara’s award‑winning University magazine, and, as the University’s central communications unit, works closely with other University communicators to build community, share best practices, and offer training and support for consistent and effective brand storytelling.

A. POSITION PURPOSE

The Associate Director of Brand and Marketing Strategy is responsible for gathering and analyzing information, researching market conditions and information specific to area of focus, and manages, collaborates, develops and executes complex and comprehensive marketing and branding campaign strategies with unit‑level marketing partners on campus.

The Associate Director of Brand and Marketing Strategy reports to the Director of Brand and Marketing Strategy and works closely with teams in University Marketing and Communications.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• This role requires a highly self‑motivated individual who can quickly become familiar with a wide range of marketing concepts, market trends, SCU marketing strategy, unit‑level goals, and effective demand‑generation techniques for the higher education market.
• Work directly with cross‑functional teams and department leadership to create research presentations and summaries.
• Work with staff to adjust schedules and routinely check on current projects to ensure quality control, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
• Assist with coordination, planning, and management of activities and logistics related to UMC‑led events.
• Work with communicators, partners, and stakeholders throughout the university on brand strategy, strategic messaging, project management, print coordination, and related issues.
• Build trust and effective working relationships with unit leaders and marketing personnel; guide/enable units to improve effectiveness in overall marketing development and tactics, target audience engagement, and awareness.
• Work with creative teams to develop concepts and content for integrated marketing campaigns and university messaging.
• Responsible for finished content and design of marketing materials with an eye on message impact, alignment with other university communications, and adherence to brand standards.
• Maintain editorial, content management, and design oversight for strategic projects.
• Maintain positive, productive relationships and communications with unit representatives and serve as the direct channel between the units and University Marketing and Communications.
• Ensure adherence to university‑wide standards for editorial style, visual identity and compliance with the brand.
• Assist Brand and Marketing strategy team with the development and execution of integrated brand strategy plans, creative, and strategic ideas to elevate awareness and the reputation of the University's focus areas among key audiences.
• Plan, coordinate and execute branding and marketing initiatives in various platforms including print, web, video, social media, email, and other electronic and interactive mediums. Optimize marketing touch points using data across these channels and communications with campus partners
• Support the overall marketing goals of SCU and its programs, ensuring their success in the assigned units.
• Prepare progress reports to inform supervisor of project status and deviation from goals. Ensure completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.
• Research and develop resources that create timely and efficient workflow with increased, effective collaboration
• Act as an administrator for web‑based marketing project management software (Asana), providing support and guidance to University Marketing and Communication peers as well as on‑campus partners using the system.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

This position does not oversee work direction of other staff members or student workers.

D. GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services. Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.

2. Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.

3. Maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services.

4. Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.

5. Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow. 6. Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals.

7. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions. 8. Prepares and submits reports as requested and required.

9. Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

E. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

1. Knowledge

• Understanding and appreciation of the vision and values of a Jesuit, Catholic educational mission.
• Strong knowledge of the creative industries and higher education marketing principles and communication best practices.
• Understanding of audience‑based lifecycle journeys
• Understanding of SCU marketing vision, messaging and objectives.
• Significant experience developing brand identities.
• Expertise in strategic planning, professional marketing and brand leadership and audience insight.
• Working knowledge of the principles of search engine optimization, content audits, and information architecture as well as other factors involved in writing for web preferred.
• Knowledge of project management, software programs and/or web‑based management tools.
• Mastery of advanced internet search techniques, tools, and systems.
• Experience with performance metrics and reporting.
• Knowledge of PC and MAC systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Proven budgeting, purchasing, and contracting experience.
• An interest in learning about and applying new technologies as needed required.

2. Skills

• Possess organizational and project management skills.
• Effective time management, scheduling, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions, and /or expectations.
• Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.
• Strong analytical and modern marketing skills.
• Experience with AP style manual.
• Proficiency in content strategy, content creation, and curation.
• Must be proficient with the use of technology and project tracking software.
• Must be a goal‑oriented and self‑motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity, and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment.

3. Abilities

• Demonstrated desire to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment.
• Demonstrate a level of comfort working and communicating with campus partners. Ability to motivate, build long‑term relationships with and gain the respect of internal and external clients.
• Must have highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to work alongside others to deliver results.
• Ability to rapidly diffuse tense situations by helping parties to better understand their needs, expectations and available resources.
• Ability to work well independently and also in a team setting.
• Demonstrated sound judgment for decision‑making and handling confidential and sensitive material.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and workload, to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline‑driven environment while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated skills in focusing on appropriate priorities, and driving completion of projects and tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and to changes in internal processes required.
• Ability to take initiative, present options, and anticipate outcomes; to work with both urgency and calm; the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously; flexibility; and comfort working in a fast‑paced and changing environment.

4. Education

• Bachelor's degree required in a major such as marketing, business, advertising, digital marketing, or a related field. Advanced degree in marketing or communications preferred.

5. Years of Experience

• Six to eight years of experience, including project management experience, data tracking - performance metrics and reporting, and brand strategy and marketing leadership.

F. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in‑ or out‑of‑state locations.
• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers.

G. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office environment.
• Mostly indoor Office environment
• Offices with equipment noise.
• Offices with frequent interruptions.
• Deadline‑driven activities.

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Eligible employees interested in a hybrid schedule should discuss the possibility of a hybrid work schedule with their supervisor. Supervisors, together with the division VP, are responsible for approving all requests.

• Mondays and Thursdays are UMC’s designated Anchor Days for all team members, except those for whom exceptions have been granted (e.g., approved full‑time remote functions, approved exception to temporarily work remotely on an anchor day, etc.).
• UMC team members are expected to present in the office a minimum of three days per week, with two of these being designated Anchor Days.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at [phone]. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone]. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [e-mail].