Marketing Director

Inside Higher Ed; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution is seeking a Director to manage strategic communications and media relations. The role involves planning and executing communication projects, promoting academic programs, and leading a team of marketing professionals to enhance the institution's reputation. Candidates should possess a bachelor's degree and significant experience in communications, with skills in managing media relations and developing comprehensive marketing strategies. The position supports major college events and aligns with institutional goals.

Qualifications

• 5 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Experience using paid search, social media campaigns, and email marketing.
• Experience leading marketing teams and fostering collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Plan, analyze, and implement communications projects for the College of Social Work.
• Develop and execute a strategic communications plan.
• Lead local and state media relations activities for promotion.

Skills

Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

Knowledge of journalistic principles

Excellent organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a job-related field

Tools

CRM systems

Google Analytics

SEO

Job description

Advertised Job Summary

The Director will ensure consistent, high-quality messaging across all platforms, enhance the college’s academic reputation through targeted media relations, and promote research, academic programs, and institutional news to diverse audiences. Additionally, the role provides essential support for major college events—both on and off campus—ensuring professional execution and alignment with the college’s strategic goals.

Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using CRM systems, Google Analytics, SEO, and enrollment data to guide marketing strategy.
• Expertise in paid search, social media campaigns, website management, and email marketing.
• Experience leading marketing teams, mentoring staff, and fostering collaboration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of journalistic principles, practices and techniques of disseminating information to the public through news media.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in planning, composing, editing, and producing publication.
• Ability to assess industry trends, student demographics, and competitor strategies.
• Ability to develop long-term marketing plans that align with business goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the news media, team members, and the general public.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.

Job Duties

Responsible for planning, analysis, and implementation of communications projects in support of the College of Social Work and the entities it serves, including managing and directing the initiation, planning, execution, control, and closeout phases and work orders of projects. Leads the proper development and execution of the communication plan. Maintains and communicates reports of project status, manages expectations, and identifies opportunities for follow-up work or new projects. Escalates issues that impact scope, timing or budget to leadership and works with them to obtain resources or facilitate planning as needed.

Develops and executes the colleges strategic communications plan, ensuring university’s content strategy and brand guidelines are followed, creates and oversees a variety of cross-channel content including but not limited to news stories, web content, videos, press releases, social content, newsletters, print publications, photos and op-eds. Develops and assists in maintaining a master internal production calendar for managing content published to the website, social media, videos, and overall press.

Provides comprehensive support both on and off campus events as required and directed for all major college events. Enhances the academic reputation of the college through media relations activities that promote research, academic programs, and news to multiple audiences. Leads local and state media relations activities for the college and works with others in Communications & Public Affairs to cultivate stories for national media pitches. Creates and executes event promotion plans for the school. Assists USC’s AVP, Media and External Engagement and the VP of Communications with crisis communications as necessary.

Lead and manage a team of marketing and communication professionals to develop and execute strategic initiatives that align with the institution’s brand identity, mission, and values. Oversee the creation of cohesive messaging across digital and traditional platforms, ensuring consistency in tone, visual identity, and institutional storytelling. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, providing guidance and professional development opportunities to enhance team performance and effectiveness in engaging prospective students, alumni, and key stakeholders.

Accepts and performs other related duties as assigned. As applicable, will serve on college or University level task forces and assist on special projects or initiatives.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.