Communications Strategist, Senior

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University is seeking a Communications Strategist Senior within the Office of Enrollment Management Strategic Communications and Initiatives. The role shapes and executes communication strategies to support student recruitment, enrollment, and student success with limited supervision.

Applicants bring advanced strategic planning, content development, and digital engagement expertise to position Purdue as a top choice for prospective students and to drive enrollment growth across campus,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field required.
• Four years' experience in contributing to marketing management, strategic planning, content creation, or executing a marketing/communications plan.
• In lieu of degree, equivalent education and experience considered.

Skills

Planning & Organization

Attention to detail

Higher education enrollment comms

Advising on communications plans

Written & verbal communication

Creative concepting

Digital tools & email marketing

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Creative Suite

Cascade CMS

WordPress

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Creative Suite

Cascade

WordPress

Job description

Job Summary

As a seasoned professional contributor, the Communications Strategist Senior within the Office of Enrollment Management Strategic Communications and Initiatives will play a key role in shaping and executing communication strategies that support student recruitment, enrollment, student success, and other university priorities while under limited supervision.

Your advanced knowledge and experience in strategic planning, content development, and digital engagement will help position Purdue as a top choice for prospective students, driving enrollment growth, engaging current students and advancing our mission of accessible education. Working with a variety of campus partners, this position contributes strategic communications expertise to initiatives across Enrollment Management, academic colleges, and university-wide efforts, including special projects and strategic initiatives.

Leveraging experience in strategic planning, content development, and digital engagement, this role helps create and deliver communications that connect with key audiences and support university priorities. Success in this position requires the ability to develop audience-focused messaging, identify effective communication channels, and translate complex information into clear, engaging content.

While this position will provide significant support for Enrollment Management units, including Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Registrar, responsibilities may also extend to academic colleges and other institutional priorities.

This role is ideal for a strategic communicator with a passion for higher education and enrollment marketing, who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is eager to contribute to initiatives that advance Purdue's mission and reputation.

At Purdue, you'll find unrivaled pride and unlimited potential as we persistently pursue the next giant leap together.

Who We Are at Purdue University:

We are committed to making Purdue's world-class education affordable, accessible and valuable to Boilermakers and their families. We know that a college degree is an investment, and many families make this big decision together.

About Us:

When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we've been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation.

What We Are Looking For:

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will need:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field.


• Four years' experience in contributing to marketing management, strategic planning, content creation, or executing a marketing/communications plan.


• In lieu of degree, consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills:

• Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills


• Attention to detail and commitment to quality control


• Strong understanding of higher education enrollment communications and student recruitment, financial aid processes, and best practices in enrollment communications.


• Experience reviewing and advising on communications plans


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Proven track record of creative concepting and iteration


• Experience leveraging digital tools, email marketing, and web content to drive engagement with key audiences.


• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities under tight deadlines


• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal and external partners


• Proficient with Adobe Photoshop and other Adobe Creative Suite apps


• Experience using Content Management Systems such as Cascade and WordPress

Preferred:

• Experience in recruitment marketing strategies


• Ability to tailor messaging for various audiences, purposes, and media


• Knowledge of basic design, video, or visual storytelling techniques to enhance messaging.


• Experience with platforms like Slate or similar enrollment-focused customer relationship management systems.


• Ability to follow and advise on brand guidelines


• Proficient in AP Style


• Ability to assess communication effectiveness using data, audience insights, and engagement metrics.

What We Want You To Know:

• This position is hybrid, based on Purdue's West Lafayette campus.


• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position


• A background check will be required for employment


• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)


• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period


• Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer: All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

For internal candidates that will be transferring between pay schedules (biweekly to monthly; monthly to biweekly), please coordinate your transfer date with your new manager to ensure a smooth transition of pay, benefits, and retirement.

Career Stream

Professional 3

Pay Band S065

Job Code#20003094

Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

EOE:

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.