NISS, Director of Marketing and Communication

Georgia State University; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia State University seeks a Director of Marketing and Communication for the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) in Atlanta. You will shape messaging, campaigns, and digital content to raise national visibility and partnerships, working closely with university partners and NISS leadership.

The role requires senior-level strategic leadership, strong branding, and a track record in external engagement, media relations, and content strategy within an academic setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications/Marketing and five years of related experience, or a combination of education and related experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for integrated marketing and communications strategy for NISS.
• Lead branding, messaging, and external engagement across national audiences.
• Direct content development, digital marketing, and media relations efforts.
• Collaborate with university partners to ensure brand alignment with institutional standards.
• Oversee internal communications and stakeholder engagement to support university priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Marketing communications

Branding

External engagement

Digital marketing

Media relations

Content strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications/Marketing

Job description

NISS Director of Marketing and Communication

National Institute for Student Success (NISS)

Georgia State University

The Director, Marketing and Communications provides strategic leadership for integrated marketing, communications, branding, and external engagement for the National Institute for Student Success (NISS). Reporting to the Senior Director, Business Advancement, the Director leads strategies that strengthen NISS's national visibility, reputation, programs, services, and partnerships. The Director serves as NISS's primary marketing and communications strategist, exercising substantial independent judgment in developing messaging, campaigns, content, digital communications, media relations, and external engagement strategies. This new position establishes dedicated senior-level accountability for NISS marketing and communications and works closely with NISS leadership and the Senior Director, Business Advancement to advance organizational growth and partnership priorities.

The office is located at GSU's downtown Atlanta campus.

The position's work schedule is in-office five days per week.

WHAT MAKES The NISSA GREAT PLACE?

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners.
• Professional development opportunity and mentorship
• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Strategic Marketing & Communications Leadership
• Provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of an integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances the NISS's mission and long-term objectives.
• Provides guidance on organizational positioning, reputation, stakeholder outreach, and external visibility.
• Establishes annual marketing and communications priorities, campaigns, performance expectations, and standards to ensure consistent, accessible, and effective communications aligned with university requirements.
• Directs marketing and communications across NISS functional areas and serves as the primary liaison with Georgia State University's Public Relations and Marketing Communications (PRMC) and other university partners.
• Brand Strategy, Positioning & Reputation Management
• Develops and manages the NISS brand strategy, positioning, core messaging, and value propositions in alignment with Georgia State University's institutional brand standards.
• Advances NISS's reputation as a national leader in student success, evidence‑based practices, and institutional transformation among higher education leaders, institutional partners, funders, and other external stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains brand standards to ensure consistent representation of the NISS across websites, publications, presentations, digital platforms, social media, events, and other external communications. Advises leadership on reputational considerations, issues management, and communications strategies for sensitive or high‑profile matters.
• Content Strategy, Development & Editorial Management
• Develops and oversees an integrated content strategy that communicates NISS research, evidence‑based practices, programs, services, partnerships, and outcomes across a variety of audiences and channels.
• Establishes editorial priorities and manages content planning processes, including oversight of the NISS annual report, newsletter, and website content.
• Directs creation, editorial review, and production of high-quality publications, reports, case studies, presentations, executive communications, digital content, and other outreach materials.
• Translates complex research, data, and student‑success practices into clear, compelling, and audience‑appropriate content while collaborating with subject‑matter experts to ensure accuracy and credibility.
• Digital Marketing, Web & Social Media Strategy
• Leads the development and execution of digital marketing initiatives across web, social media, email, and other digital platforms to increase audience reach, engagement, and awareness. Provides strategic direction for NISS website content, digital user experience, search optimization, and online audience engagement initiatives.
• Develops targeted digital campaigns promoting NISS research, programs, services, resources, events, learning opportunities, and partnerships while ensuring content is current, accessible, audience-centered, and aligned with Georgia State University standards.
• Uses digital analytics and audience insights to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and continuously improve NISS's digital communications and marketing strategies.
• Media Relations & External Visibility
• Develops and executes proactive media relations strategies that increase awareness of NISS expertise, research, programs, and impact among regional and national audiences.
• Cultivates relationships with journalists, higher education publications, industry organizations, and other media outlets to expand media opportunities.
• Identifies and develops opportunities to position NISS leaders and subject‑matter experts as national voices on student success through publications, conferences, presentations, media engagements, webinars, podcasts, and other external channels.
• Develops press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, executive communications, and other media content and prepares and coaches NISS leaders and subject‑matter experts for high‑profile external engagements.
• Marketing for NISS Programs, Products & Partnerships
• Develops and implements targeted marketing strategies and campaigns to increase awareness, participation, adoption, and growth of NISS programs, services, learning opportunities, research products, and institutional partnerships.
• Collaborates with program and partnership teams to communicate the value and impact of NISS offerings through marketing campaigns and promotional materials.
• Leads marketing support for program launches, conferences, convenings, webinars, workshops, and other initiatives that advance the NISS's strategic growth objectives.
• Partners with development, external relations, and other stakeholders to strengthen awareness of NISS impact and expand market opportunities.
• Internal Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
• Develops and executes internal communication strategies that keep staff, leadership, and university stakeholders informed about priorities, initiatives, achievements, and opportunities. Supports executive leadership communications through the creation of announcements, presentations, talking points, briefings, and stakeholder messaging. Coordinates communication across NISS functional areas to ensure consistent, aligned messaging and effective information sharing. Represents the NISS in university-wide communications planning efforts and develops communications for broader university audiences as needed.
• Analytics, Assessment & Continuous Improvement
• Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data to assess audience engagement, campaign performance, website traffic, and media exposure.
• Develops reports, dashboards, and strategic recommendations that inform NISS.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPls) that measure the effectiveness of marketing and communications efforts across digital, media, email, and engagement channels. Leverages performance data, audience research, market intelligence, and emerging trends to drive continuous improvement and identify new opportunities for growth and impact.

Minimum Hiring Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications/Marketing and five years of related experience, or a combination of education and related experience.

College/Business Unit: Enrollment Management

Department: National Institute of Student Success

Location: Atlanta Campus

Shift: 8:00 a.m.-5:15 p.m.

Salary: $100,400-$130,600

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Type: Full Time (Benefits Eligible)

Job Posting: 10/29/26, 3:43:59 PM

Closing Date: 11/12/26, 11:59:00 PM

SPONSOR FUNDED

***This is a regular, full-time position which involves on-campus and online duties, with job continuation dependent upon grant funding.

Georgia State University Values: COMMUNITY: Fostering a distinctive shared identity and common purpose across our multi-campus university, IDENTITY, PLACEMAKING & BELONGING: Respecting the dignity and value of all people and perspectives through honorable conduct based on engagement, fairness, access, and civility, TRANSFORMATION: Intentionally pursuing knowledge, practice, and scholarly rigor to inspire lifelong learning, and to make our community and the world a better place INTEGRITY: Adhering to our values, mission, and the truth through respectful cooperation and effective stewardship of resources, EXCELLENCE: Achieving the highest standards and distinction in teaching, research, and service, STRATEGIC INNOVATION: Embracing invention and creativity in the pursuit of meaningful discovery using our collective talents USG Core Value Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Georgia State University is an equal opportunity employer with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability,, genetic information, or protected veteran status.

Background Check: Successful candidate must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background investigation and other background searches as applicable to the job such as credit check and Motor Vehicle Record.

Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime: Georgia State University is committed to its students' and employees' safety and security. It complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) to provide information on certain crimes on campus. This position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority, ensuring that reported crimes are routed to the appropriate University office.

Please note, Georgia State University's career board updates daily and requisitions are subject to be removed without prior notice or before the posting expires.

Georgia State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status.