Job Summary

The Manager (University Marketing & Brand) is a key leader within Valdosta State University's University Marketing and Communications (UMC) team, reporting directly to the Chief Officer to the President. This role drives the university's institutional brand strategy and creative services, ensuring a consistent and compelling visual identity. The position supervises two graphic designers and works in close partnership with the Director of Strategic Communications, the Associate Director of Enrollment Marketing, and other campus stakeholders to deliver high-quality, mission-aligned marketing initiatives. The ideal candidate is a visionary yet detail-oriented leader who is highly creative, strategically minded, and exceptionally skilled in organization and project management. This is a full-time, on-campus role.

This position will manage and coordinate the operations of a unit or initiative of the university.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

University Marketing and Communications leads the university's efforts to share its story, strengthen its brand, and engage audiences across all platforms. The team oversees strategic and crisis communications, social media, special events, creative services, and institutional marketing and brand management, ensuring a consistent, compelling, and mission-aligned presence.

Typical Allocation of Duties:

• Supervision of personnel - 30%: Supervise personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions.
• Manage and participate - 15%: Manage and participate in the daily operations of an assigned unit.
• Implementation - 15%: Develop or assist with the implementation of policies and procedures, systems, and processes.
• Researches new trends and developments - 15%: Research new trends and developments; presents recommendations as required.
• Participate in planning and goal setting - 10%: Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of short-and long-range plans and goals.
• Develop and implement projects and programs - 10%: Develop and implement projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
• Department representative - 5%: Represent the department at various meetings, and committees; promote existing and new programs and/or policies.

Supervisor Expectations:

• Maintain brand integrity and consistency across all platforms, ensuring messaging strengthens reputation across all audiences.
• Introduce creative strategies that keep VSU's brand relevant, competitive, and differentiated in the higher education landscape.
• Serve as VSU's brand spokesperson, representing the University Marketing perspective in meetings, committees, and other settings.
• Provide creative guidance, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities for direct reports.
• Field internal marketing requests from academic departments and other units, and coordinate institutional marketing services.
• Work closely with Enrollment Marketing, Admissions, academic departments, Advancement, Athletics, and other units to ensure unified messaging and campaigns.
• Create and execute annual and campaign-specific marketing strategies with measurable goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Oversee and manage assigned marketing budgets, including tracking expenses, and coordinating contracts, insertion orders, purchase orders, etc.
• Use analytics and market research to guide decision-making and adjust campaigns for maximum impact.
• Track, analyze, and present marketing performance metrics.
• Strong ability to write, edit, and adapt content for different audiences and platforms.
• Familiarity with SEO, analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), and social media best practices.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and staying within budget.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and other marketing and design tools.
• Ability to work well under pressure and on high-visibility projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience: Bachelor's degree in a specified field and three (3) years of related work experience. Professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.