Director of Marketing & Communications chez Eastern Mennonite University

Job Title: Director of Marketing & Communications

Department: Marketing 

Supervisor: Vice President for Enrollment 

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Schedule: Regular, 12 mo., FT, M–F 8am–5pm 

Job Summary:

The Director of Marketing & Communications provides strategic leadership for Eastern Mennonite University’s marketing and communications efforts. This role oversees and elevates the university’s brand identity, amplifies its visibility and reputation, and delivers cross-functional marketing plans that drive measurable results in support of enrollment, advancement, and institutional mission. The Director leads a talented, collaborative team in telling EMU’s story—one rooted in Anabaptist values of peace, justice, and community—to increasingly diverse audiences across platforms.

This position requires a visionary strategist who can translate data and institutional priorities into compelling, consistent messaging and marketing campaigns. The Director is also responsible for managing departmental operations and supervision, developing and executing strategic plans, building strong campus partnerships, and ensuring clear, authentic communication both internally and externally.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Brand Leadership
  • Develop and implement a university-wide integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Shape and steward a cohesive brand identity, translating EMU’s Anabaptist heritage into accessible messaging for all audiences.
  • Lead institutional storytelling that reflects the university’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, academic excellence, and service.
  • Increase awareness and reputation of EMU regionally, nationally, and within strategic markets through targeted, data-informed campaigns.
• Departmental Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead and mentor a collaborative, high-performing team including communications, creative, digital, and project management functions.
  • Foster a culture of trust, innovation, and professional growth within the MarComm team.
  • Set and track clear performance goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for team members and major initiatives.
• Cross-Campus Collaboration
  • Partner with leaders across including but not limited to Advancement, Admissions, Academics, Athletics, and Student Life to develop customized marketing strategies that drive recruitment, fundraising, and engagement.
  • Serve as a key advisor to the President’s Cabinet and Executive Leadership Team on communication strategy, media positioning, and crisis communications.
  • Coordinate messaging to ensure consistency across internal and external channels.
  • Digital Strategy & Audience Engagement
    • Direct EMU’s digital marketing strategy, including paid media, SEO, social media, and web presence, ensuring campaigns are inclusive and optimized for conversion.
    • Support and strengthen engagement strategies across prospective students, donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.
    • Oversee market research and analytics to identify audience behavior, assess competitive positioning, and inform strategic decisions.
  • Media & Public Relations
    • Serve as, supervise, support university spokespeople, including the president, vice president for enrollment, and faculty subject experts.
    • Build and maintain media relationships and direct EMU’s response to media inquiries and public-facing issues.
    • Shape EMU’s public narrative through proactive media strategy and placement.
  • Budget & Operations
    • Develop and manage the department’s annual budget.
    • Prioritize resources effectively to support institutional goals and ensure long-term sustainability.
    • Oversee creative vendors, consultants, and strategic partnerships (including Letterpress Communications).
  • Additional Responsibilities
    • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the university’s mission and strategic plan.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Visionary leadership with demonstrated experience building strategic marketing plans that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Deep understanding of branding, digital marketing, enrollment marketing, content strategy, and reputation management.
• Proven ability to lead a high-performing team in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills across digital and traditional formats.
• Strong ability to market to and connect with diverse audiences across cultures, geographies, and generations.
• Experience managing large-scale campaigns and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills informed by data and industry trends.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with high emotional intelligence.
• Adept at managing sensitive or high-stakes communications with clarity, professionalism, and empathy.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic marketing and communications. Demonstrated success in brand management, digital engagement, and campaign development. Higher education or mission-driven nonprofit experience is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work at a computer and communicate effectively by phone, email, and in person. Occasional travel required for conferences and off-campus events.Must be able to occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises 5–6 professional staff across marketing, digital strategy, content, and project management. Responsibilities include hiring, training, performance evaluation, and professional development.

Applicants should submit the following with the application:

• A current résumé
• A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position
• A digital portfolio showcasing relevant marketing work (e.g., campaigns, branding, social media, content, analytics, or other projects). Please indicate your specific role and contributions for each example. For assistance with uploading the file, please contact [email protected].