Brand Experience Manager, Marketing Communications & Brand Management

The University of Montana is seeking a Brand Experience Manager. As a member of the Brand Strategy group in University Marketing Communications, this new role will focus on driving brand affinity through improving the campus and student experience. The ideal candidate for this position will be wildly creative and capable of executing on bold, creative ideas. They will be a master collaborator and relationship builder, have a strong understanding of branding and maintaining brand standards, and will be student/service-focused person who strives to foster a vibrant campus community. The position will require a candidate who is comfortable with risk-taking, innovation, and working with other team members to pitch ideas at all levels of the university.

This position will also serve in a community relations role, liaising with community partners to promote the UM brand and finding opportunities for community collaboration. They will work with community businesses, boards, non-profits, professional groups and volunteer organizations to elevate the University brand and student experience.

Essential Functions of this position include:

• Build relationships across campus including key partnerships with Enrollment Management, Alumni, Athletics, Foundation, Student Success, and ASUM.
• Identify and build relationships with community businesses, boards, non-profits, professional groups, and volunteer organizations.
• Contribute to journey mapping, seeking out pivotal moments of influence. Aim to engage, surprise, and delight a variety of audiences.
• Help foster a vibrant campus life.
• Amplify University of Montana traditions and seek out opportunities to create new meaningful and memorable experiences.
• Assist with planning events (in-person and virtual) and acting as producer/run of show lead.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management on prospective student and parent events. Work to elevate event experience to increase student yield.
• Lead initiatives that drive brand loyalty, affinity, and consistent brand strategy.
• Work closely with Director of Brand Strategy to innovate and generate new campaign ideas to engage, surprise, and delight students and campus stakeholders, and work cross-functionally to execute campaigns across channels and departments.
• Become a champion for the student experience and journey; advocating for student needs based on insights gained through this role.
• Work within a budget to drive results and report on those results, but understand that impactful brand experiences can come at a variety of price points.
• Serve as project manager for campaign, event or communication development. Collaborate with creative, marketing and communications staff as well as other campus stakeholders.
• Seek out opportunities to make data-driven decisions, refine, iterate and improve band experience year over year.
• Connect the dots between sectors and departments, sharing insights, data and innovation.
• Collaborate with Director of Brand Strategy to develop ROI and benchmarking metrics related to brand reputation, student experience and campus vibrancy.
• Be a key contributor to the comprehensive branding campaign effort. Provide feedback and assistance to agency partners.
• Ensure initiatives, projects and strategies are executed effectively through clear communication, attention to detail and a firm commitment to brand integrity.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position is $70,000 - $75,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two (2) or more years of experience in marketing, public relations, event management, advertising, customer engagement/retention, sales, student affairs or community management
• Strong understanding of branding and brand strategy tactics
• Knowledge and abilities or experience in building programs and campaigns from scratch
• Excellent organization and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to connect with a variety of stakeholders
• Experience with event planning, management and execution
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills (written, verbal, and visual)
• Highly developed organization and project management skills
• Working knowledge of best practices regarding successful event planning, management and execution
• Keen attention to detail
• Ability to work productively in a collaborative team setting, or individually

Success in this position requires the candidate to exhibit the following characteristics and skills:

• Wildly Creative: This position has large latitude to explore and innovate. You’ll think big. Then you’ll think bigger.
• Flexibility/Adaptability: Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions; copes effectively with complexity and change.
• High-Standards: Expects personal performance and team performance to be above average.
• Continuous-Improvement: Always focused on improving the student experience and brand perception.

About Marketing Communications and Brand Management and UM

UM Marketing and Communications serves all campus departments and offices, as well as the public, by producing and distributing accurate and timely information about the University of Montana while enhancing the UM brand and overall mission of higher education through outreach, publications, marketing activities, electronic communications and social media. The Marketing Communications and Brand Management group exists to build and protect the UM brand, proudly tell the UM story and drive results.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
  • Video: Mission First, People Always
  • UM on YouTube

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

E mployment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Sunday, December 19, 2021

Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin after date above and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below.

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular