We're Hiring!
Senior Director of Marketing
- Minnesota, United States
- Staff FT Exempt
Title: Senior Director of Marketing/Marketing
VP Area: VP - Enrollment Mgmt and Marketing
Department: Marketing Department
Position Compensation: $93,000 - $103,000 annual
Location: University Campus - St. Paul, Minnesota
Who We Are:
Northwestern is a faith-driven community, UNWavering in our Christ-centered principles and identity as those who profess faith in Jesus. Rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s Word and our calling to impact His world, our mission and vision flow from these core values, expressed through Christ-centered higher education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and through gospel outreach and faithfulness with Northwestern Media.
Position Summary:
This role provides strategic leadership for all university marketing, branding, and public relations functions to advance and protect Northwestern's mission. The position is responsible for developing and shaping a comprehensive, industry‑aligned marketing strategy that supports enrollment, advancement, and recruiting efforts and ensures a clear, consistent and compelling message. Overseeing a strong marketing team and working closely with campus stakeholders, this role aligns communication across the organization in ways that strengthen and elevate the Northwestern brand.
Key Responsibilities:
• Team Leadership: Create, build, launch, and manage a team of creative, excellent, efficient, & effective mission aligned talent.
• Marketing Strategy: Provide strategic leadership for campus‑wide marketing efforts that support Enrollment and University Advancement, generating high‑quality prospective student leads who are a strong fit for the University.
• Content Oversight: Provide oversight & direction so that quality content & communication pieces are produced and curated with excellence in a timely fashion.
• Brand Stewardship: Own and govern the University brand—standards, training, and enforcement—to ensure consistent, mission‑aligned expression across all channels and units.
• Digital Ecosystem: Oversee Northwestern's web & social media presence so that it is relevant, effective, updated, and mission centric.
• Flagship Publication: Serve as senior editor of The Pilot, Northwestern’s annual publication.
• Crisis & Executive Communications: Assist with crisis & executive communications.
• Budget Stewardship: Provide effective, stewardship minded budgetary oversight for marketing department.
• Analytics & Optimization: Provide strategic oversight of marketing analytics and performance measurement across the university, establishing reporting frameworks that track progress toward enrollment, advancement, and brand objectives. Leverage data‑driven insights to inform decision‑making, refine strategy, and continuously improve outcomes.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.
Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students and listeners, all employees serve as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students as they grow intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to maturity in their faith.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, public relations, or related field
• Minimum 7 years’ progressive experience in marketing and team leadership
• Minimum 3 years’ supervisory experience
• Maintain a growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect His character in all interactions, and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, Doctrinal Statement and Declaration of Christian Community
Nice To Have:
• Master's degree in marketing, communications, business, public relations, organizational leadership, or a related field
Key Skills:
• Independent & Teamwork: Capable of working both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision.
• Leadership: Thoughtful, humble, and effective leader, driving strategic clarity in marketing initiatives and fostering excellence within the marketing team.
• Confidentiality: Maintains discretion and handles sensitive information appropriately.
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and problem-solving abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and related software.
• Written & Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Financial Oversight and Stewardship: Experience managing budgets and financial resources within assigned responsibilities.
• Driver’s License: Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Background Check: Must pass initial and ongoing background checks as a condition of employment.
Work Environment:
The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university or Christian owned and operated radio station alongside those with a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of Northwestern, and an agreement to abide by all Northwestern policies.
All applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.