Growth Marketing Director
Inside Higher Ed, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research and offering a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non‑degree programs that deliver global impact. Executive Education at the GSB constitutes the core of the school’s non‑degree program offerings, aimed at broadening impact, enabling faculty development, and supporting fiscal health. The Growth Marketing Director will play a critical leadership role in developing the media plan, managing partner agencies, and executing the institution’s digital marketing strategy to generate qualified leads and drive student enrollment.
Primary responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
Develop and lead Executive Education’s digital marketing strategy to drive enrollment growth and brand visibility for GSB Executive Education’s flagship and open enrollment programs.
Plan and manage integrated digital campaigns across channels (search, social, display, video, retargeting).
Identify and prioritize audience segments with program leads and marketing counterparts, and optimize campaigns for lead generation and conversion, continually improving media channel performance.
Execution & Channel Management
Oversee execution of paid media, SEO/SEM, website performance, and marketing automation efforts with agency partners and internal teams.
Ensure the website and digital content are optimized for search, user experience, and conversion.
Manage and collaborate with contractors or agencies to deliver on campaign objectives.
Data & Performance Analytics
Direct analysis of digital campaign performance, lead quality, and ROI using analytics platforms.
Define and monitor KPIs, review with agencies weekly to track funnel health and performance against enrollment and revenue goals.
Translate insights into actionable recommendations to improve performance and increase conversions.
Drive data‑informed decision‑making and continuous improvement.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Manage and mentor direct reports and/or contractors if present.
Collaborate cross‑functionally with Program Enrollment, Marketing Operations, Creative, IT, and Academic departments.
Champion digital innovation and marketing best practices across the organization.
Technology & Tools
Oversee use of digital marketing tools including Salesforce CRM, Marketing Cloud, marketing automation platforms (e.g., Slate, A/B testing platforms), and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau).
Identify new tools to increase conversions at the top of the funnel.
Ensure integration and consistency across systems to support marketing and enrollment goals.
Required qualifications and experience
Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience; or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Proven success in generating leads and improving conversion through digital campaigns.
Expertise in SEO/SEM, paid digital media, website UX, and marketing automation.
Strong analytical skills and experience using data to optimize campaign performance.
Experience managing staff and vendor/agency relationships.
Demonstrated marketing management skills and ability to work effectively with decision‑makers across many levels of an organization.
Extensive knowledge of strategic analysis, customer segmentation strategies, and business and marketing planning.
Highly detail‑oriented with strong ability to understand constituent needs and lead teams toward a common goal.
Strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Proven track record with branding, integrated marketing strategy, messaging, and positioning.
Excellent project manager with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated experience presenting to senior management.
Ability to motivate, develop and train staff.
Prior experience in planning and managing budgets.
Preferred qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, or related field (Master’s preferred).
7+ years of experience in digital marketing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Familiarity with Salesforce CRM or similar higher education platforms.
Experience with Google Ads, Meta Business Manager, LinkedIn Ads, and programmatic media.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast‑paced, goal‑driven environment.
Higher education experience is preferred but not required.
The expected pay range for this position at 100% FTE is $145,573 to $177,137 per year. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional Information
Schedule: Full‑time
Job Code: 4902
Employee Status: Regular
Grade: K
Requisition ID: 108351
Work Arrangement: Hybrid Eligible
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Primary responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
Develop and lead Executive Education’s digital marketing strategy to drive enrollment growth and brand visibility for GSB Executive Education’s flagship and open enrollment programs.
Plan and manage integrated digital campaigns across channels (search, social, display, video, retargeting).
Identify and prioritize audience segments with program leads and marketing counterparts, and optimize campaigns for lead generation and conversion, continually improving media channel performance.
Execution & Channel Management
Oversee execution of paid media, SEO/SEM, website performance, and marketing automation efforts with agency partners and internal teams.
Ensure the website and digital content are optimized for search, user experience, and conversion.
Manage and collaborate with contractors or agencies to deliver on campaign objectives.
Data & Performance Analytics
Direct analysis of digital campaign performance, lead quality, and ROI using analytics platforms.
Define and monitor KPIs, review with agencies weekly to track funnel health and performance against enrollment and revenue goals.
Translate insights into actionable recommendations to improve performance and increase conversions.
Drive data‑informed decision‑making and continuous improvement.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Manage and mentor direct reports and/or contractors if present.
Collaborate cross‑functionally with Program Enrollment, Marketing Operations, Creative, IT, and Academic departments.
Champion digital innovation and marketing best practices across the organization.
Technology & Tools
Oversee use of digital marketing tools including Salesforce CRM, Marketing Cloud, marketing automation platforms (e.g., Slate, A/B testing platforms), and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau).
Identify new tools to increase conversions at the top of the funnel.
Ensure integration and consistency across systems to support marketing and enrollment goals.
Required qualifications and experience
Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience; or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Proven success in generating leads and improving conversion through digital campaigns.
Expertise in SEO/SEM, paid digital media, website UX, and marketing automation.
Strong analytical skills and experience using data to optimize campaign performance.
Experience managing staff and vendor/agency relationships.
Demonstrated marketing management skills and ability to work effectively with decision‑makers across many levels of an organization.
Extensive knowledge of strategic analysis, customer segmentation strategies, and business and marketing planning.
Highly detail‑oriented with strong ability to understand constituent needs and lead teams toward a common goal.
Strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Proven track record with branding, integrated marketing strategy, messaging, and positioning.
Excellent project manager with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated experience presenting to senior management.
Ability to motivate, develop and train staff.
Prior experience in planning and managing budgets.
Preferred qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, or related field (Master’s preferred).
7+ years of experience in digital marketing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Familiarity with Salesforce CRM or similar higher education platforms.
Experience with Google Ads, Meta Business Manager, LinkedIn Ads, and programmatic media.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast‑paced, goal‑driven environment.
Higher education experience is preferred but not required.
The expected pay range for this position at 100% FTE is $145,573 to $177,137 per year. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional Information
Schedule: Full‑time
Job Code: 4902
Employee Status: Regular
Grade: K
Requisition ID: 108351
Work Arrangement: Hybrid Eligible
#J-18808-Ljbffr