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Job Description:

The **Associate Director, Graduate Marketing & Advertising Strategist** plays a critical strategic role within the Marketing & Communications division, overseeing data-informed, digital-first advertising initiatives designed to elevate awareness and enrollment, developing program plans that drive inquiries and applications, and partnering with deans and program directors to determine marketing goals and objectives for the university’s graduate programs. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Marketing & Communications, this position serves as the architect of lead generation strategies for University graduate programming, ensuring alignment with the institution’s enrollment goals and overarching mission.

Combining deep expertise in digital advertising and data analytics with a strategic, big-picture mindset, this individual will lead the development, implementation, and optimization of integrated marketing campaigns across a variety of platforms. They will work collaboratively with key stakeholders—both centrally and within schools/departments—to translate institutional data into actionable advertising strategies that support growth, brand awareness, and mission-centered storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

+ **Strategic Marketing Program Development:**

+ Lead the development and execution of comprehensive marketing planning to drive graduate program awareness, lead generation, and enrollment.

+ Identify high-impact digital platforms and channels, leveraging data to guide media mix, audience segmentation, and message development.

+ **Data-Driven Strategy & Analytics:**

+ Analyze and interpret performance data from advertising platforms, enrollment systems, CRM tools, and market research.

+ Translate analytics into actionable insights to optimize campaign effectiveness and guide long-term advertising strategy.

+ **Cross-Functional Collaboration:**

+ Serve as a strategic partner to graduate program directors, enrollment managers, and academic leadership to align marketing and advertising strategies with program goals.

+ Coordinate with internal and external creative and media buying teams to ensure campaign consistency and performance.

+ **Budget Oversight & Performance Monitoring:**

+ Oversee advertising budgets across graduate programs, ensuring efficient allocation and ROI.

+ Establish and track KPIs to assess campaign performance, continuously testing and refining approaches based on data insights.

+ **Mission-Driven Communication:**

+ Ensure all advertising strategies reflect the Jesuit, Catholic identity of the university and uphold its commitment to social justice, academic rigor, and holistic education.

Qualifications:

Required:

+ Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business analytics, or a related field.

+ Minimum 5 years of experience in digital marketing, advertising, media strategy, or marketing analytics.

+ Proven ability to design, launch, and optimize data-informed advertising campaigns, preferably in higher education or a mission-driven organization.

+ Expertise in advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn), web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tag Manager), SEO, and CRM/marketing automation systems.

+ Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable strategies.

+ Exceptional project management and communication skills.

Preferred:

+ Master’s degree in marketing, data analytics, or a related discipline.

+ Experience in higher education, graduate-program-specific marketing and/or enrollment management.

+ Familiarity with the values and educational philosophy of Jesuit higher education.

Category:

Marketing - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

_All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check._

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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