Skip to main content

This job has expired

Director of Marketing and Communications, UMOnline

Job Details



UMOnline invites applications for a Director of Marketing and Communications . This position reports to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications and the Associate Vice Provost for Innovation and Online Learning (AVPIOL) for UMOnline. The Director of Marketing and Communications develops, implements, and leads communications and marketing strategies to support UMOnline’s vision, strategic goals, and external relations. The Director will develop a comprehensive strategy for communications, enrollment marketing and alumni relations that will drive recruitment and increase enrollment. The Director works collaboratively with UMOnline’s leadership, staff, and development team to raise the UMOnline’s profile internally and externally, create an engaging web presence for UMOnline, and develop a communications strategy focused on new and innovative learning opportunities for new learners at UM.

The Director of Marketing and Communications assists the UMOnline leadership team in developing and executing marketing, recruitment, retention and community engagement efforts for UMOnline. The person in this position will oversee all online media platforms for UMOnline and work closely with the Office of Enrollment and the VP for Marketing and Strategic Communications. This person will play a critical role in recruiting and retaining students enrolled in distance education. Administrative and functional supervision is exercised over one (1) Marketing Analyst Coordinator and student employees.

Specific expectations include, but are not limited to:
  • Design and lead the execution of an effective recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategy for UMOnline.
  • Coordinate UMOnline recruitment/retention and strategic marketing efforts to align with the UM Office of Enrollment and VP for Marketing and Strategic Communications
  • Identify prospective UMOnline resident and non-resident students; engage in outreach to prospective students online, in print, by phone and in person; and identify strategies for increasing retention of existing students.
  • Direct the communications and editing of social media channels, including:
  • Setting and monitoring overall social media communications strategy
  • Directing the UMOnline staff and students to coordinate the curating, creating, editing and posting content
  • Manage and edit the producing of web stories and resources (Alumni Q&A’s, brag sheets, newsletters, etc.)
  • Manage, edit, update and design website or directing that work with the MAr.
  • Manage the UMONLINE brand, to include oversight of creating, (designing and writing) managing and proofing print materials (brochures, posters, stickers, mailers, etc.)
  • Consult with staff, faculty, and students on the social media and web presences of projects and innovative initiatives .
  • Coordinate with UMOnline Marketing Analyst Coordinator and Staff promoting via all social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and the SOJ’s various web sites.
  • Work with the UMOnline Marketing Analyst in all recruitment efforts, including:
  • Managing recruitment “funnel”: writing, editing and sending mass emails, following up with individual students who are interested in UMOnline or request more information with personal emails, calls and text messages and strategizing on other “touch points” to help prospective students make their decision.
  • Setting up and maintaining system to track outreach efforts and streamline the funnel.
  • Managing the creation, launching and tracking paid marketing UMOnline campaigns.
  • Directing, identifying, and executing in-person recruiting strategies, such as tabling at conferences, alumni outreach, high school visits, job fairs and related student activities.
  • Collaborates UMOnline team and UM Marketing Communications designers, web developers, brand strategists, and digital marketers to create, execute and measure marketing UMOnline campaigns.
This position may require additional training in UM systems and branding guidelines upon hire.

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 $50,000 - $60,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.
Required Skills
  • Demonstrated proficiency with written and verbal communication, social media content development and analytics reporting
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including advanced proficiency with Excel and database systems
  • Highly developed and functional computer skills (particularly relative to the use of current social media platforms).
  • Skilled in web design and development.
  • Experience in graphic design, photography and video editing and creation.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the effective use of social media, including a thorough understanding of the current trends as well as speculated future trends on a multitude of platforms.
  • Creative and innovative thinking skills necessary to create imaginative approaches to meeting the marketing needs of UMOnline.
  • Highly developed communication skillset (both written and verbal) necessary to effectively communicate with a highly diverse set of professional contacts including donors.
  • Extreme responsiveness necessary to capitalize on the instantaneous nature of social media usage.
  • Highly developed customer service skillset.
  • Excellent ability to both create high-level strategies and do the busy work to make such strategies successful.
  • Critical thinking skillset necessary to apply abstract concepts and creative ideas when accomplishing assigned tasks or overcoming potential difficulties.
  • Extensive working knowledge of current marketing trends, tools and strategies.
  • Ability to effectively manage tasks independently (with very little direct supervision at times) with proactive anticipation of what needs to get accomplished in a timely manner.
  • Ability to remain effective while handling a variety of distractions in the course of completing assigned duties.
  • Knowledge of different demographics of higher education including communications with faculty, different student stakeholders (tradition and untraditional students), individuals in the workforce interested in pursuing/returning to school
  • Demonstrated knowledge of professional office practices and procedures; business English, spelling, composition, and grammar, including the ability to write, edit, and layout documents in a variety of formats suitable for intended audience
  • Project management skills, including ability to develop timelines and meet stringent deadlines
  • Knowledge of relevant reporting tools such as Google Analytics
  • Strong presentation skills


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing/PR or related discipline and at least three (3) years of professional experience in marketing and communications, including developing and leading implementation of an organization's marketing strategy; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge all the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in a similar position in a higher education focused setting
  • Knowledge of UM communication resources, policies, and procedures
  • Knowledge of web and graphic design programs (Cascade CMS, Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Knowledge of CRM systems such as Slate
  • Working knowledge of video production software such as iMovie
  • Broad knowledge of the University of Montana and Missoula and regional communities


About UM and UMOnline

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 9,000 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.

UMOnline (Formerly "SELL" or School of Extended and Lifelong Learning) has a mission to promote and support excellence and innovation in online teaching and learning at the University of Montana through supporting the creation of quality online, blended and web-enhanced learning opportunities for students.

In addition to serving our students and providing phenomenal online education for all, UMOnline strives to support faculty and staff in a variety of ways including; course design, data and market research, marketing, accessibility tools and content testing, program launch support, Moodle LMS resources and support, regulatory compliance and more.

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.
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: Thursday, April 28, 2022 by 11:59 pm MST

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

Company

University of Montana.

At UM, we approach everything with creativity because that’s what this evolving world needs. We are stewards of this place, its history and our future. We are driving forward together, affecting change that is right for our place and people. We know of no better place than Montana and its university to make a lasting impact on the common good.

As Montana’s flagship university, we set a high bar for academic studies, creative accomplishments and scientific exploration which benefit our students, our community and the world at large.

The University draws a diverse, global population to Missoula – our home and the state’s second-largest city with about 80,000 residents – and helps cultivate an educated, engaged and vibrant community. Our students receive a world-class education in a broad range of subjects that include the arts, sciences, trades, graduate and postdoctoral study and professional training.

Our main campus, nestled in the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, spans 56 acres at the base of Mount Sentinel and along the Clark Fork River, and includes the park-like Oval at the center of campus, more than 60 architecturally unique buildings and a 25,200-seat football stadium. UM's 180-acre South Campus offers student housing, a golf course, soccer fields and an outdoor track facility. Missoula College occupies two sites, one just across the river from the main campus, and one on the southwest side of Missoula.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert