Assistant Director of Marketing Communications

Assistant Director of Marketing Communications Kansas - Olathe, KS
Overview Position Type Full Time
Description The Assistant Director of Marketing Communications plays a vital role in advancing the university's strategic priorities related to enrollment growth, alumni engagement, and brand awareness. This position works closely with the V.P. for Enrollment & Marketing Communications to develop compelling, mission-aligned content that connects with prospective students, current families, and alumni, while reinforcing the distinct value of the university experience. Through integrated, multi-channel campaignsincluding email, text messaging, social media, and narrative-driven storytellingthe Assistant Director elevates the university's voice and guides prospective students through the enrollment journey. Content is strategically designed to inspire action, deepen engagement, and move audiences from awareness to application and ultimately to enrollment. In addition, this role contributes to student retention and success by creating targeted communications for parents and families of current students. These efforts reinforce the institution's commitment to student achievement, belonging, and holistic formation. Leveraging strategic storytelling, digital engagement, and creative productionincluding short-form and viral video contentthe Assistant Director of Marketing Communications translates the university's mission, student outcomes, and academic offerings into relevant, high-impact messaging that resonates with today's audiences.
Key Responsibilities Enrollment Communication Strategy
Develop and write email and SMS/text messaging campaigns for prospective students and their families throughout the recruitment funnel.
Create persuasive copy that supports key enrollment milestones, including inquiry, application, admission, deposit, and orientation.
Collaborate with the Admissions teams to align messaging with recruitment strategies and enrollment goals.
Content Development & Storytelling
Produce engaging content across multiple channels highlighting current student experiences, campus life, academics, and outcomes.
Write feature stories, profiles, and short narratives about students, faculty, and programs with a focus on prospective undergraduate audiences.
Translate complex academic and institutional information into clear, engaging, student-centered messaging.
Parent Communications (Recruitment & Retention)
Develop targeted content for parents of prospective students, helping them understand the value, outcomes, and support systems of the university.
Create communications for parents of current students that reinforce student success initiatives, campus resources, and retention messaging.
Ensure messaging addresses common parent concerns such as academic support, career outcomes, faith formation (if applicable), and campus safety.
Social Media Management
Manage the university's primary social media channels with a focus on prospective student engagement and enrollment growth.
Develop social media content calendars aligned with recruitment cycles and admissions campaigns.
Monitor social media engagement, trends, and performance analytics to refine strategy.
Video Storytelling & Viral Content
Identify and tell compelling student stories through short-form video content designed for high engagement on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
Collaborate with photographers, videographers, and student content creators to produce authentic, student-centered storytelling.
Capture moments of campus life that resonate with traditional undergraduate audiences.
Analytics & Optimization
Track performance of digital content including email open rates, click-through rates, social engagement, and video performance.
Use data insights to refine messaging strategies and improve recruitment outcomes.
Stay informed on emerging trends in Gen Z communication, digital storytelling, and higher-education marketing.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
5-7 years of experience in digital marketing, content marketing, or communications.
Demonstrated strength in copywriting for digital platforms, especially email and social media.
Experience managing social media channels, developing audience-centered content and growing audience engagement.
Strong storytelling ability and editorial judgment.
Excellent written communication skills with attention to tone, clarity, and brand voice.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in higher education marketing, enrollment marketing, or youth-focused communication.
Familiarity with CRM platforms and marketing automation tools used in enrollment communications.
Experience producing or scripting short-form video content.
Understanding of digital engagement trends among prospective college students and their families.
Core Competencies
Strategic storytelling
Persuasive writing and messaging
Digital marketing and social media engagement
Creative content development
Audience segmentation and communication strategy
Data-informed decision making
Multi-Channel Content Creation
Strategic Thinking: Identifying target audiences (prospective students, alumni, donors)
Inclusive Communication with diverse audience and stakeholders
Relationship Management: Building trust and collaborating effectively with disparate stakeholders
Project Management & Adaptability: Managing multiple complex projects
Active Listening: The ability to keenly listen to stakeholders
The successful candidate will also be expected to be a person of Christian faith, demonstrate a commitment to the mission of MidAmerica Nazarene University, and show evidence of collaborative servant leadership that is focused on team building.
Application: Upload the following required documents.
Resume
Cover Letter
Statement of Faith
Transcript copies
Statement of Faith: MidAmerica Nazarene University is an intentionally Christian Community and desires that all employees in positions of leadership reflect a foundational Christian position in word, attitude and action. While there is no predetermined length or format for the Personal Statement of Faith, the norm is a one or two-page narrative document describing the applicant's central Christian beliefs, significant formative influences in the applicant's Christian experience (e.g., religious experiences of conversion or the affirmation of one's faith, one's family and/or home life, spiritual aspirations), and ways in which the applicant's faith is being demonstrated in daily patterns and practices.