Department: University Communications
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $115,000 – $125,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA10-Fiscal Year 2022-2023
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
July 10, 2023; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit the following with your online application:
A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
A resume of your educational and professional work experience.
Department Summary
The division of University Communications (UC) is charged with telling the University of Oregon’s (UO) stories to a broad range of audiences and positioning the university to succeed and thrive. The division utilizes and manages a comprehensive suite of communications tools, including branding, advertising, licensing, social media, publication, news, radio, and more to elevate the reputation and brand awareness of the institution for the benefit of the university.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy reports to the Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Brand Strategy (AVP). This position will lead the Marketing and Brand Strategy (MBS) department in the absence of the AVP. This position is responsible for communicating to multiple internal and external audiences on behalf of the AVP and the MBS department. In addition, this position frequently works with and manages high-impact projects and sensitive and confidential information and is expected to exercise discretion.
Brand Strategy and Activation (training, brand counsel, brand website, etc.)
The Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy is a key leader in activating the brand and strategies for the team in University Communications. This position will direct the brand positioning of the University of Oregon including market research, advertising, trademark and licensing, measurable strategies, and more. This position will create, maintain, and support university- and division-wide policies and procedures related to marketing and branding.
The Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy will partner with the AVP to coordinate efforts to update and maintain the brand identity, rules, and policies and lead a collaborative group operating as a university brand advisory team. This position will help build affinity in the campus community for users of the brand, serve as ambassadors of the brand, train the campus community, and provide input and advice to leadership in Marketing and Brand Strategy.
Trademark and Licensing
The Senior Director will supervise the trademark and licensing team ensuring we create opportunities for revenue generation and build on the UO’s strong relationships with licensees. This position will monitor reports and work closely with the contracted service providers to ensure the UO is maximizing efforts, protecting the university brand marks, and reaching university goals. This position will help enforce the brand guidelines, create operational expectations for service, and serve as a backup for art approvals from vendors.
Market Research and Advertising
The Senior Director will supervise market research and advertising employees to ensure University Communications builds on the findings from market research and formulates strategies for major projects and marketing initiatives. This position will lead or assign responsibility for implementing core strategies for major brand initiatives or visual identity development and provide information to communicators on campus.
Contract and Vendor Relationship Management
This position will oversee the contract development, review, and maintenance of marketing and branding contracts including key technology tools like Wrike, 1Password, CRM, Falcon, and other technology needs. The senior director will maintain relationships with the support team for purchasing and contracting and follow through with responsibilities assigned to the MBS team for contract execution and management.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, marketing, writing, public relations, or related discipline OR four years of professional experience working in the areas of communications, marketing, project management, or public relations.
• Ten years of professional experience as a marketing and communications professional and leader for an organization that was responsible for high-stakes and complex marketing and communication goals and projects.
Professional Competencies
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with and/or commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated success working in a team environment and proven ability to work cooperatively with individuals in a service-oriented environment.
• Outstanding project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to produce high-volume, high-quality work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, project management applications, and web-based content management systems.
• Experience in leveraging technology communication tools.
Preferred Qualifications
• Eight years of project management and client management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in developing or leading efforts to implement system-wide technologies and willingness to learn emerging medias.
• Experience working in marketing and communications in higher education.
• Experience working with contracted vendors and serving as the lead relationship manager.
• Eight years of experience leading large-scale team trainings and implementing department policy or guidelines.
• Experience working with executives and serving as team lead for administrative needs.
• Experience with budget authority and/or budget management.
• Advanced degree in marketing, communication, art, brand responsibility, or related area.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits .
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report .
Advertised: June 6, 2023 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: