Associate Director of Strategic Planning

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

University Communications and Marketing protects and advances Carolina’s reputation as the nation’s first and best public research university. In partnership with leaders and colleagues across campus, the team is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated strategy to share the impact of our university’s teaching, research and service that improves our state, nation and world. Areas within University Communications and Marketing include Web Planning and Production, Internal Communications, Development Marketing, Executive Communications, Strategic Communications, Marketing, Social Media, Creative Services, and the UNC Visitors Center.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Strategic Planning serves as the second-in-command to the Director, ensuring continuity of leadership, sound decision-making and consistent stakeholder engagement. They oversee the day-to-day operations of the Strategic Planning team, where the strategy and execution of communications and marketing campaigns intersect. This includes balancing workloads, setting priorities and supporting team development. The Associate Director of Strategic Planning is responsible for reviewing and strengthening strategic briefs to ensure clarity, rigor and alignment before campaigns move into execution. In addition, this position coaches and develops Strategic Planners to elevate strategic thinking, integration, and the effective use of insights. They also own a portfolio of key schools or units, acting as the senior strategic lead for complex or high-visibility campaigns, and facilitates cross-team alignment to ensure strategies are cohesive and executable across functions.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Advanced knowledge of strategic planning principles, marketing strategy and integrated communications.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Strong consultation and facilitation skills, including the ability to lead planning discussions with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to build relationships, influence decision-making and work effectively across a decentralized organization.
• Ability to interpret performance data and apply insights to improve strategy and outcomes.
• Proficiency with analytics, reporting, and work management tools such as Google Analytics, Asana, and similar platforms.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education marketing, branding, or communications.
• Experience presenting to senior leaders and facilitating strategic planning sessions.
• Experience developing dashboards, performance reports, and measurement frameworks for communications or marketing initiatives.