Join a dynamic team and play a pivotal role in leading marketing and communications for the largest graduate school at the University of Denver.

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University.

At the University of Denver, we’re doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. We’re preparing young people to be the solutions in their own stories, empowering them to face uncertainty with confidence and uncommon sense.

We’re fiercely ambitious and forward-thinking, surpassing all expectations to redefine success and how to achieve it. And we’re true to our mission as a top-tier private institution dedicated to making the world a better place – contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world.

About University College

The University of Denver’s college of continuing and professional studies, University College, is the largest graduate school at the University of Denver and a leader in adult education, providing career-focused and affordable online, hybrid, and campus-based programs designed for busy adults. University College offers over 100 academic degree and certificate programs that enroll nearly 3,000 students from around the world, and over 5,000 learners enroll each year in University College non-credit programs.

Position Summary

University College seeks a Senior Director of Marketing and Communications who possesses sophisticated digital marketing experience, proven success driving adult learner enrollment, experience in AI-driven marketing strategies, and a passion for combining strategic insight and thinking with day-to-day operational management and execution.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Enrollment, Marketing, and Partnerships, this role develops and executes comprehensive marketing strategies that leverage AI and emerging technologies to create personalized, engaging experiences that drive enrollment.

The Senior Director leads a high-performance team, manages a multi-million-dollar budget, and collaborates with academic and other program teams across the College to achieve collective goals.

Essential Functions

AI-Driven Marketing Strategy and Execution

• Develop and lead an integrated and AI-assisted marketing, communications, and content strategy that encompasses website development, advertising plans and campaigns, social media platforms, and comprehensive enrollment communication.
• Transform University College’s digital presence through AI-powered technologies, including a best-in-class web experience that seamlessly integrates and communicates the full portfolio of University College credit and non-credit programming.
• Strategically deploy AI-assisted technology and tools across marketing workstreams and the enrollment funnel to personalize student experiences, strengthen engagement, optimize marketing performance, increase conversion, and reduce enrollment friction.
• Optimize enterprise and College technology stack including Slate (CRM), Banner, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Canvas, and other analytics and engagement platforms.

Brand and Communication Leadership

• Develop and execute brand amplification strategies across the Front Range and Colorado.
• Ensure consistent, engaging, and cohesive brand messaging, including tone and voice, across all communication channels and touchpoints.
• Manage external marketing vendor partners and media relations.
• Lead crisis communications and issues management, including media engagement and rapid response communication and messaging.

Operational and Financial Management

• Manage a multi-million-dollar marketing budget across multiple academic and noncredit programs, including monthly financial reconciliation and expense tracking.
• Develop a marketing performance reporting model that collects and shares KPIs and other data with College leadership and academic/non-credit program teams.
  • Ensure quality assurance and brand consistency across all marketing and communication assets and deliverables and serve as final editor for all marketing content.
  • Lead/coordinate marketing presence at University College events, including graduation, orientation, and webinars.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with all University College colleagues, including associate deans, program directors, enrollment and admissions teams, and academic operations teams, and University of Denver’s broader marketing and communications stakeholders.
• Lead a high-performance marketing and communications team, fostering a culture of agility, innovation, continuous learning, and data-informed decision making.
• Provide pro-active strategic coaching and mentorship for team members that target skills development and supports individual career progression.
• Support all marketing team operations as needed, including design, copywriting, and special projects with marketing, branding, or communications components.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strategic and Operational Marketing Expertise

• Proven success developing and executing sophisticated marketing strategies targeted to adult learners that demonstrate measurable enrollment growth.
• Advanced proficiency in marketing technologies, including predictive analytics and performance optimization, AI-assisted technologies, enterprise CRM systems, and marketing engagement platforms.
  • Advanced experience and proficiency developing data-informed marketing plans and strategies that reflect cross-functional consensus and exceptional operational execution.
  • Adept at navigating complex organizational landscapes with agility, cultural intelligence, and nuanced communication skills.
  • Exceptional copywriting, presentation, and storytelling skills across multiple mediums.

Leadership Proficiency

• Delivers entrepreneurial leadership through pro-active initiative, emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, and adaptive thinking across diverse contexts.
• Cultivates and maintains strong working relationships and collaborates easily and effectively with others.
• Exceptional ability to balance multiple complex priorities with attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of seven years of marketing, communications, and/or branding experience.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Advanced experience with marketing analytics, AI-assisted marketing technologies, and CRM systems.
• Working knowledge of design programs, such as InDesign, Canva, and/or Illustrator, and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Commitment to upholding the values of University College: honor the individual, champion learning, transform lives, work together, and pursue excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 10+ years of marketing, communications, and/or branding experience.
• Experience in online, continuing, and/or professional education.
• Proficiency in Slate, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Google Analytics.
• Experience developing and leading successful digital transformation initiatives.

Working Environment

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for primarily remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) February 26, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 14.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$110,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.