Director of Admissions Communications, Marketing, and Events

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and continuously evaluate an integrated, multi-channel communications strategy aligned with institutional and Office of Admissions recruitment and yield goals. Develop differentiated communication strategies for priority populations (i.e. first-time, transfer, re-admit, etc.) and stages of the enrollment funnel, including prospective students, applicants, and newly admitted students.
• Use enrollment data, market research, Slate CRM analytics and campaign performance metrics to identify opportunities, establish communication priorities and recommend strategic adjustments throughout the recruitment cycle. Develop strategies that leverage email, print, digital, web, social media and other emerging channels to increase inquiry, application, admission, yield and new student enrollment outcomes.
• Lead the development of the annual admissions communication strategy and calendar, ensuring communications are coordinated, appropriately sequenced and aligned with recruitment strategies and priorities. Oversee the strategic use of Slate CRM and other technology to support audience segmentation, personalization, automation, testing and campaign optimization.
• Establish performance measures and regularly assess campaign effectiveness, including engagement, conversion and enrollment outcomes. Manage communications-related budgets and make strategic recommendations regarding resource allocation, vendors and external partners.
• Lead and supervise the Communications, Visits and Events team, establishing clear priorities, performance expectations and accountability. Oversee the planning and execution of high-impact experiences, including open houses, admitted student events, school counselor and CC advisor events, next steps events and other recruitment events and programs.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of events and engagement activities using participation, conversion, yield and new student enrollment data and make recommendations to improve return on investment. Develop partnerships with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external partners to create authentic experiences for students that demonstrate the value of an MSU Denver education and bolster the recruitment effort.
• Provide strategic direction for the student ambassador program and Welcome Desk and ensure ambassadors are effectively integrated into the prospective student recruitment effort and experience.
• Collaborate closely with UCM to translate institutional brand strategy into recruitment-focused communication campaigns, creative assets, publications, digital advertising and other marketing initiatives.
• Partner with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Alumni, Online Learning and other university units to coordinate recruitment communications and marketing to ensure alignment with institutional new student enrollment goals and priorities.
• Provide strategic direction to external enrollment marketing and consulting partners, including establishing priorities, evaluating deliverables and assessing performance and return on investment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Experience developing and managing multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns in higher education setting, including digital and direct marketing, and using data and analytics to evaluate effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience supervising and developing professional staff
• Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems and related technologies to support marketing, communications, recruitment, or student engagement initiatives.
• Experience providing strategic oversight of prospective student events, campus visits, and student engagement programs
• Experience managing marketing, communications, or event budgets.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience developing and implementing enrollment marketing strategies in higher education, including student search, inquiry generation, yield, conversion, and enrollment initiatives.
• Experience with Slate CRM, including segmentation, automation, personalization, A/B testing, and campaign analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, coordinate multiple priorities, and work collaboratively across departments in a complex organization.

Benefits

• The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.
• For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf .