Marketing Specialist

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Marketing, the marketing strategist serves as a brand steward, ensuring marketing strategies and plans consistently build the North Central brand.

The marketing strategist will build professional relationships with partners across campus, working in a collaborative manner; decipher market and audience research for relevant insights and synthesize information in a succinct and cohesive manner; think strategically and creatively while also balancing the details of marketing campaigns; assess outcomes of marketing strategies to understand effectiveness and identify opportunities for future initiatives.

In addition, the marketing strategist manages marketing project workflow through the Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC), including print materials, web and social media projects, and advertising (print, broadcast, social media, and online) in collaboration with the director of creative services, assistant graphic designer and director of web and digital strategy. This individual plays an important strategic role in developing marketing tactics and content across both print and digital platforms. They will implement marketing plans, manage the production workflow of marketing materials and advertising, manage mailing lists, and maintain data reports to assist in measuring the effectiveness of College marketing efforts as outlined in the College’s Strategic Plan.

This individual will also provide writing and editing support, web content support and maintain relationships between the College and third party marketing vendors. The marketing strategist serves as a primary marketing contact for offices on campus including Alumni, Development, Fine Arts, Conferences and Camps, and Admission.

Description of Key Responsibilities:

1. Develops a thorough understanding of key audiences and produces goals, deliverables, measurable results and schedules for marketing plans. 
2. Work with representatives from across the College to strategically develop initiatives, establish project timelines and manage projects from initiation to closure. Manage an extensive project list and ensure that materials are delivered according to scope and timeline and are on brand. 
3. In collaboration with the marketing team, maintain a project management system across all areas of marketing and communications to track deliverables, project information, vendors, and pricing through production. 
4. Collaborate on projects with writer, designer, social media strategist and digital strategist to execute marketing strategy. 
5. Support overall marketing and communications efforts with writing, editing and proofreading skills. 
6. Create ad plans as needed researching best media outlets to meet objectives. Reach out to media outlets to obtain pricing and information regarding ad buys. Manage the production and placement of advertising (print, broadcast, social media and online). 
7. In collaboration with OMC leadership, maintain marketing and advertising metrics and provide data for assessing the College’s marketing and communication plans. Seek opportunities to refine data collection and measurement of advertising. 
8. Work with other offices on campus to systematize measuring the effectiveness of direct mail, online ads, print, broadcast, newspaper advertising and social media campaigns. Establish metrics and generate reports. 
9. Maintain and update marketing content and execute marketing strategy across all communication channels (social media, website, print, etc.) to ensure message is consistent. 
10. Assist with development of photography and videography strategy and oversee execution. Manage photo and video shoots. Storyboard videos. Coordinate videography shoots both internally and with vendors. Work closely with the director of creative services on art direction and the editorial team for content. 
11. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion. 
12. Support the College’s mission, vision and values, and contribute to the advancement of the College’s Strategic Plan. 
13. Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement. 
14. In collaboration with the supervisor and other team members, solicit price quotes for all print projects. With the guidance of the director of creative services, develop print specifications and maintain quality control. Maintain effective relationships with marketing vendors on behalf of the College. 
15. Manage mailing list selection and strategy for various print publications. Work with postal vendors to generate postage invoices and payment prior to mailing. 
16. Work closely with the senior director of marketing and director of creative services to monitor and maintain the College’s graphic identity in all materials. 
17. Manage campus signage requests and work collaboratively with vendors for execution.
18. Work collaboratively to propose marketing strategies through the collection of demographics, competition, pricing and marketing outlets that affect demand. 
19. Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to apply strategic thinking to develop marketing plans for a variety of audiences in line with institutional objectives and brand standards.
2. Demonstrated project leadership skills, from conceptualization through development, execution, and measurement. Must be well-organized and detail-oriented.
3. Ability to prioritize projects and execute according to prioritization in conjunction with the senior director of marketing. Ability to multi-task and work independently in a deadline driven environment. Same day turnarounds may be required and priorities change quickly.
4. Must have a strong customer service orientation, and possess effective, tactful, diplomatic and positive interpersonal communication skills.
5. Exercise good judgment and strong decision making skills.
6. Proficiency of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Adobe Photoshop and InDesign preferred. Database and Drupal (or other Content Management System) a plus.
7. Knowledge of the print production process a plus.
8. Ability to think creatively and provide innovative solutions.
9. Ambitious, flexible, easy to work with, positive attitude and a team mentality.
10. The ability to assimilate and analyze information from a variety of sources.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The individual in this position is a member of the Office of Marketing and Communications responsible for. This individual must demonstrate excellent customer service, outstanding interpersonal skills, data analysis, presenting North Central College to a wide variety of constituencies writing and editing skills and strong organizational skills. Also important is the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently to meet deadlines and exercise good judgment commensurate with the expectations of the College and the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Responsibilities include the potential of working during evening and weekend hours to perform a variety of duties, such as managing photography, videography or event-related projects.

Education/Training:

• A bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of (1) one to (3) three years’ experience in marketing, advertising, data analytics, communications, project management or a related field is required.