Job Title

Director of Marketing

About the University

It's your time to shine!

Work where the world comes to create, discover and learn.

We are one of Canada's top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge's second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada's destination university. In 2022, Lethbridge was recognized as one of Canada's top small cities.

Position Details

The University of Lethbridge seeks an innovative Director of Marketing to formulate and implement strategic marketing initiatives that enhance the institution's reputation and brand. Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations (CMGR), the Director will lead a talented team of marketers and oversee a team of creative designers and web experts to implement initiatives that raise the University's profile and support key functions including recruitment, retention, research reputation, philanthropy and community engagement.

The Director will lead all marketing functions, oversee the marketing budget, and serve as a key member of the CMGR team. This role demands a proven leader with a deep understanding of marketing, preferably in higher education, a passion for research-based and data-driven approaches, and the ability and commitment to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Overall Marketing Leadership:

• Provides leadership for marketing programs and services through annual planning, developing and implementing new strategies that support strategic directions with the goal to enhance and champion ULethbridge's brand, awareness, image and reputation - specifically in markets of strategic interest.
• Creates and implements comprehensive marketing strategies that position ULethbridge as a top choice for students and employees, a research leader, and community supporters. Ensures marketing strategies align with the University's brand promise and build its reputation.
• Provides leadership to the University's Marketing team (which includes the Design and Digital Communications unit).
• Develops and refreshes brand guidelines and ensures these are communicated to the community on a regular basis. Ensures any shifts in branding unfolds with the appropriate level of consultation with the community.
• Identifies opportunities to use emerging marketing strategies and methods that advance strategic goals and objectives.
• Utilizes market intelligence and incorporates data to report on progress and to support future decisions. Provides ongoing budget and campaign effectiveness reports.
• Sets goals and objectives for the Marketing team. Leads team to ensure goals and objectives are achieved.
• Oversees the allocation and management of the marketing budget to ensure efficient use of resources and maximize return on investment.
• Represents CMGR on committees (including those related to strategic enrolment management); liaises with other institutions and associations, agencies and organizations as necessary.

Marketing Content and Campaigns:

• Supervises the creation and implementation of strategic marketing content and coordinates marketing campaigns across various channels to ensure consistent and effective messaging.
• Works closely with communications, academic departments, recruitment and retention professionals, Graduate Studies, International, External Relations, and others to support departmental marketing needs and promote the University's objectives.
• Leads the development of branding initiatives and collaborates with the community to interpret and implement branding strategies. Significantly, the Director will participate in a significant brand refinement in Fall 2024 - process currently underway.

Team Leadership

• Fosters a culture of learning and accountability within the Marketing department.
• Encourages professional growth amongst the team. Encourages colleagues to remain well-informed of best practices related to marketing, design, web design and related best practices. Provides mentorship to the team; builds capacity through the development of the team.
• Serves as a sponsor for progressive change. Undertakes activities that create a culture of collaboration, transparency and respect. Encourages an inclusive working environment that is respectful and professional.
• Ensures work of the team adheres to the University's policies and procedures.

The hiring committee will begin to review applications on July 24, 2024.

The University of Lethbridge is undertaking a job classification and compensation review for Administrative Professional Officer (APO) positions. As such, the salary range currently assigned for this position may be adjusted as a result of this project.

Position Qualifications

A bachelor's in business, marketing or communications. A master's is considered an asset. A minimum of seven to 10 years of management within a marketing function is expected with demonstrated success in the discipline desired. Experience within the post-secondary sector or as part of a large complex organization (unionized environment) is desired. A demonstrated commitment to professional development and achievement of relevant certifications/designations is favorable. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Job-Specific Knowledge and Technical Skills:

• Proven ability to develop institutional marketing strategy. Ability to steward the University's brand and increase brand awareness
• Demonstrated success in conceptualizing and implementing successful marketing campaigns in a deadline-driven environment
• Proven expertise in project planning, management, and process improvement, with a demonstrated ability to efficiently oversee multiple projects simultaneously
• Leadership skills (calm, highly professional, ability to build trust). Able to function with a high level of diplomacy
• Team building/supervisory experience
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage a significant, centralized marketing budget
• Strong interpersonal skills; dedicated team player; strong emotional intelligence
• Project management skills (planning, scheduling in a deadline environment)
• Ability to link market research to marketing initiatives
• Ability to create great marketing copy and inspire others to as well
• Significant understanding of digital marketing and advanced ability to utilize digital marketing platforms
• Understanding of web publishing, SEO/SEM, mobile marketing, and analytics
• Content Marketing expertise
• Understanding of strategic enrolment management (SEM) principles
• Experience with CRMs
• Content development expertise
• Customer focused
• Ability to set measurable goals and track/report on campaign progress (including reports to senior administration and the Board of Governors)
• Understanding of accessibility design, user experience, user interface, and user journey (web)
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Understanding of design concepts
• Experience in post-secondary environments including strategic enrolment management
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

This position will require some driving. A valid unrestricted Class 5 Driver's License with no more than 6 demerits and submission of a motor vehicle record (driver abstract) dated within 3 months of the posting close is required.

Starting Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)

$94,537.31 - $118,927.69 annually

Full Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)

$94,537.31 - $143,318.06 annually (APO - Grade 6)

Campus

Lethbridge

Employment Group

APO

Position Category

Other