📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Assistant/Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
🔹 Company: Miami University Alumni Association
🔹 Location: Oxford, Ohio
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days on campus, 2 days remote)
🔹 Category: Higher Education, Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-08
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years (Assistant Director), 5+ years (Associate Director)
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the Director in implementing integrated marketing communications strategies for the Farmer School of Business.
- Developing and executing marketing plans for new FSB initiatives.
- Collaborating with university-wide colleagues on special projects.
- Creating written content for various purposes and leveraging it with communication tools.
- Generating stories and pitching them to appropriate outlets.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of collaboration and communication, as well as strong project management skills to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Support the Director in implementing integrated, comprehensive communication and marketing strategies for student recruitment and reputation building for the Farmer School of Business (70%).
- Execute tactics to raise the FSB’s public profile, visibility, and brand recognition using media relations, marketing, web and social media communication, targeted print and electronic communication, leadership communication, and other activities.
- Develop written content for various purposes and leverage it with various communication tools.
- Write and edit stories for the Farmer School Journey Magazine, e-newsletters, website content, brochures, handbooks, posters, screens, and other materials.
- Generate stories and pitch them to appropriate outlets, including media, students, faculty, and alumni.
- Develop strategies for digital marketing.
✅ Work with colleagues across the university to advance university-wide communication and enrollment management strategies (15%).
- Represent the Farmer School of Business through participation in regular meetings of university-wide communicators when the Director is unavailable.
- Collaborate with university-wide colleagues on special projects, specifically in regard to new FSB initiatives.
✅ Provide marketing communications support to FSB departments, FSB centers and special programs; and other duties as assigned (15%).
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in business, communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
Experience:
- Assistant Director: At least three years of professional communications, marketing, journalism, or relevant experience.
- Associate Director: At least five years of professional communications, marketing, journalism, or relevant experience.
Required Skills:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to develop powerful messages for a wide range of audiences on diverse topics.
- Experience with graphic design.
- Experience implementing marketing or communications campaigns.
- Experience working in highly collaborative environments requiring interpersonal communication competence, initiative, active listening, and emotional intelligence.
Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree in business, communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
- Demonstrated understanding of the higher education environment.
- Strong project management skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of the value of storytelling.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience with relational databases such as constituent relationship management (CRM) system (Slate).
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio showcasing their writing, editing, and design skills, as well as examples of successful marketing campaigns they have led or contributed to.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Assistant Director: $55,000 - $60,000 per year
Associate Director: $63,000 - $68,000 per year
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan
- Tuition remission for employees and dependents
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee assistance program
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in higher education. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Founded: 1809
Company Description:
- Miami University is a public research university located in Oxford, Ohio.
- The university is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.
- Miami University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,500 and a total graduate enrollment of 3,500.
Company Specialties:
- Liberal arts education
- Research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students
- Study abroad programs
- Division I athletics
Company Website: http://www.miamialum.org
ASSUMPTION: Miami University is a highly selective institution with a strong focus on undergraduate education and research.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (Assistant Director) to Senior-level (Associate Director)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Farmer School of Business
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days on campus, 2 days remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to Associate Director role (if not applying for that position)
- Opportunities to lead special projects and initiatives
- Potential to gain experience in higher education marketing and communications
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the higher education sector.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days on campus, 2 days remote)
Office Location(s): Farmer School of Business, Oxford, Ohio
Geographic Context:
- Oxford, Ohio is a college town with a population of approximately 35,000.
- The city is located about 35 miles northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Oxford is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as its outdoor recreation opportunities.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a flexible balance between on-campus collaboration and remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-campus or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Farmer School of Business
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and editing skills
- Storytelling ability
- Graphic design skills
- Marketing campaign experience
- Collaboration and communication skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Include a portfolio of your writing, editing, and design work, as well as examples of successful marketing campaigns you have led or contributed to.
- Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the higher education environment and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.
ATS Keywords: Marketing Communications, Higher Education, Storytelling, Graphic Design, Marketing Campaigns, Collaboration, Communications, Higher Education Marketing, Digital Marketing
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and qualifications through a portfolio and interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
- CRM system (Slate)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred, but not required, as training will be provided.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in teaching and scholarship
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Respect for the dignity of all persons
- Responsibility for the common good
- Collaboration and teamwork
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the company's core values?
- Are you comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment, and how do you handle conflicting viewpoints or priorities?
- How do you balance multiple projects and deadlines, and how do you prioritize your work?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their fit with the company's values and work style through their resume, cover letter, and interview responses.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines and multiple projects.
- Navigating a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders.
- Balancing the needs and priorities of various departments and initiatives within the Farmer School of Business.
- Adapting to changes in priorities, resources, and timelines.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management skills, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Marketing Communications Manager in a higher education setting, but with a greater emphasis on storytelling and collaboration.
- Unlike roles in the private sector, this role requires a deep understanding of the higher education environment and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.
- Career progression in higher education marketing and communications typically involves moving into roles with more strategic responsibilities, such as Director of Marketing and Communications or Vice President for Marketing and Communications.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of the higher education landscape and the unique opportunities and challenges it presents.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a marketing campaign to promote a new FSB initiative, including creating written content, designing graphics, and executing tactics across various communication channels.
- Writing and editing stories for the Farmer School Journey Magazine, as well as other FSB materials, to raise the school's profile and brand recognition.
- Generating stories and pitching them to appropriate outlets, including media, students, faculty, and alumni, to strategically identify and highlight impactful FSB initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: These projects require strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Farmer School of Business in the next 1-3 years, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing and communications strategy for the Farmer School of Business?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?
- How does the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Farmer School of Business support the growth and development of the person in this role?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the higher education sector?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role and the organization, as well as your understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Include a portfolio of your writing, editing, and design work, as well as examples of successful marketing campaigns you have led or contributed to.
- Prepare for your interview by researching the Farmer School of Business and the broader higher education landscape.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to reiterate your interest in the role and ask about next steps in the process.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
