Senior Director of University Marketing and Digital Strategies

Director Of University Marketing

The Director of University Marketing is a key leadership role within Communications & Marketing, responsible for developing and driving integrated marketing strategies that elevate the UC Santa Cruz brand, expand its audience reach, and support the university's enrollment and institutional goals. This position requires both a visionary mindset and a hands-on, nimble approach. The director leads a skilled team of creative professionals, develops data-informed campaigns across digital and traditional channels, and collaborates closely with campus partners-including academic divisions, University Advancement, and Enrollment Management-to help achieve UCSC's institutional priorities. The director helps translate the campus's academic strengths and student experience into compelling, audience-relevant stories and campaigns. The right candidate brings professional confidence, strategic clarity, and a collaborative hands-on approach.
Budgeted Salary: $119,400 - $135,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount. Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits Schedule Information: Full-time, Fixed Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week Days of the Week: Mon-Fri Shift Includes: Day Employee Classification: Career appointment Job End Date: None Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus Union Representation: Non-Represented Job Code Classification: 000472 (MARKETING MGR 2) - Grade 26 Travel: Never or Rarely
Job Duties
40% - Marketing Strategy & Leadership Develops and oversees a comprehensive strategic marketing plan that advances UCSC's brand visibility, institutional reputation, enrollment goals and philanthropic initiatives; serves as the central marketing thought leader for Communications & Marketing and University Advancement, helping leadership prioritize, resource, and evaluate marketing efforts; establishes and monitors key performance indicators across channels; uses data and analytics to guide strategy and optimize campaign performance; and stays current on higher education marketing trends, digital platform shifts, and best practices, bringing fresh thinking to the team on a consistent basis.
30% - Team Leadership & Management Leads a team that includes a creative director (who manages a video production team), a manager of social media and digital engagement, and a digital marketing manager; provides clear direction, mentorship, and professional development support to direct reports; fosters a collaborative, high-performing team culture; maintains strong coordination across the team to ensure creative output is strategically aligned, on-brand, and on-schedule; and serve as an engaged, contributing leader who participates actively in the work.
20% - Campaign Development & Execution Leads development of integrated marketing campaigns from concept to execution, working across video, social media, email, digital advertising, and web channels; collaborate with the creative director to ensure creative work reflects strategic intent and brand standards; partner with the digital marketing manager to ensure email campaigns are properly scheduled, reviewed, and optimized for deliverability and engagement; and oversees campaign timelines and budgets, balancing competing priorities with clear communication to stakeholders.
10% - Brand & Communications Alignment Champions UCSC's brand identity across all marketing touchpoints, ensuring consistency and quality in tone, design, and messaging; collaborate with campus partners, colleges, departments, and student-facing units to provide marketing guidance and support; represent Communications & Marketing and University Advancement in cross-divisional committees, working groups, systemwide meetings, and external forums as needed.
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. Thorough knowledge of current and emerging digital marketing trends and best practices, including new and emerging strategies and technologies. Excellent skills in strategic planning, effectively organizing resources, engaging stakeholders, and setting and establishing priorities. Excellent skills in managing staff including selection, training, evaluating and mentoring staff at all levels, including skills to take disciplinary action as necessary. Excellent interpersonal communication and political acumen to effectively work with internal customers and external constituencies. Excellent market research, analytical thinking, and problem recognition, avoidance and resolution skills. Excellent skills to produce results and achieve predetermined goals within budget and time constraints. Strong knowledge of applicable University policies and state and federal laws regarding copyright and other licensing issues.
Preferred Qualifications Thorough knowledge of the campus / health system, including its achievements, mission, goals, vision, infrastructure, products and services.