Responsibilities

• Serves as the university’s senior marketing and brand leader, providing strategic direction for institutional marketing, brand positioning and audience engagement.
• Develops and leads a team of professionals in the areas of marketing, digital marketing, social media, trademarks and licensing, advertising, marketing analytics and brand implementation.
• Oversees brand strategy and the execution of creative, integrated marketing programs that support student recruitment, retention, success, institutional affinity and brand awareness.
• Works closely with the Office of Admissions and other key university units to develop marketing strategies that support enrollment-related goals and measurable outcomes.
• Leads advertising and media buying strategy, including digital advertising, paid social, paid search, print, radio, television/video and other channels, with a focus on maximizing marketing investments.
• Oversees the development and implementation of marketing campaigns that are audience-focused, data-informed and aligned with university priorities.
• Uses market research, audience insights, campaign analytics and performance data to evaluate marketing effectiveness and guide future strategy.
• Oversees the university’s brand standards and works with colleges, departments and units to ensure marketing and communications materials are consistent with MSU’s visual identity, voice, messaging and institutional priorities.
• Ensures the MSU brand is developed, strengthened and protected across all channels, including advertising, digital platforms, social media, publications, merchandise and other public-facing materials.
• Supervises staff responsible for managing university trademarks, licensing agreements, royalty collection, licensee relationships and the development of retail products that build brand affinity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, brand management, advertising, communications, digital marketing, licensing or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the competencies required to succeed in this position.
• Significant supervisory experience in marketing, communications or a related field.
• Experience leading a team of marketing professionals with a range of specializations.
• Experience developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies that strengthen brand awareness, institutional reputation or audience engagement.
• Experience managing large-scale projects, campaigns, budgets and vendor relationships.
• Experience using data, analytics or market research to inform marketing strategy and evaluate results.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to convey complex ideas, strategies and recommendations effectively to senior leaders and campus partners.

Preferred

• Experience working in marketing within higher education.
• Experience working in a land-grant university, public university, public agency or similarly complex, mission-driven organization.
• Familiarity with collegiate trademarks, licensing, brand standards, retail partnerships or athletics-related brand considerations.
• Experience supporting enrollment, student success, advancement, alumni engagement or other institutional priorities through marketing strategy.
• Experience leading marketing work within a centralized or shared services communications model.