📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Dean & Director, Marketing
🔹 Company: Western Governors University
🔹 Location: Salt Lake City Office, Utah
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time Regular
🔹 Category: Higher Education, Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-06-23
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- P&L ownership experience with managing over $INSERT+ P&L
- Program management and marketing experience in launching new and revised programs
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement mindset
- Strong people leadership skills to manage a diverse team of INSERT+ people
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and data analysis to drive student growth and program success in a dynamic online education environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and manage P&L with a focus on achieving WGU contribution margins and net new student growth
✅ Drive program marketing and portfolio management using data and insights to launch new and revised programs into the education market
✅ Foster a culture of continuous experimentation, measurement, and learning from data to rapidly improve program quality and delivery to students
✅ Lead a diverse team of INSERT+ people, including program managers, instructional faculty, and student coaches/mentors, to achieve shared objectives
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and influence others to win support with all audiences
✅ Manage ambiguity and drive results in an uncertain and changing environment
✅ Build effective teams with appropriate mixes of styles, perspectives, and experience to achieve common objectives and shared mindset
✅ Perform other related duties as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and effective team leadership to achieve desired outcomes in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in a relevant area from an accredited institution
Experience: Five (5) years in a similar design and product ownership role, demonstrating expertise in marketing, continuous improvement, and thought leadership. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and scale initiatives
Required Skills:
- Deep understanding of how students learn and combining innovative curriculum and student support strategies to drive student success and employability
- Customer and student obsession with a focus on driving successful outcomes for them
- Industry or academic leader in the discipline
- Understanding of industry trends, job opportunities, and educational market trends in the discipline
- Strong people leadership skills to directly or indirectly lead a diverse team of INSERT+ people
- Execution focus with the ability to dive-deep and live in the details with a fast-paced weekly execution cadence
- Ability to organize and coordinate activities and results across cross-functional teams
- Ability to coach and develop direct reports
- Ability to collaborate with and manage teams, including those in a remote environment, while demonstrating excellence, integrity, and respect
- Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization
- Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, both internally and externally
- Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
- Proven ability to analyze data to identify trends and drive innovation
- Sound judgment and decision-making skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
Preferred Skills:
- Terminal degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution
- Experience in higher education, particularly in online education programs or in rapidly evolving organizations/programs
- Expertise in developing curriculum and/or high-stakes assessments
- Proven success in leading change management efforts and bringing structure to complex, dynamic situations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of strategic, analytical, and leadership skills to drive program success and student growth in a dynamic online education environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $122,100.00 - $219,800.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bonuses
- Medical, dental, vision, telehealth, and mental healthcare
- Health savings account and flexible spending account
- Basic and voluntary life insurance
- Disability coverage
- Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
- Legal and identity theft coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Wellbeing program
- Discounted WGU tuition
- Flexible paid time off and sick time
- Paid holidays and parental leave
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the job title, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and business needs.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education, specifically online competency-based degree programs
Company Size: Small (51-200 employees), which offers a more intimate and agile work environment
Founded: 1987, with a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs
Company Description:
- Western Governors University (WGU) is a pioneering online university committed to providing accessible, affordable, and career-focused education for students worldwide
- Offers accredited bachelor's and master's degree programs in business, IT, teaching, and healthcare
- Focuses on real-world skills, personalized mentorship, and flexibility, making higher education achievable for working professionals and those balancing education with other life commitments
Company Specialties:
- Competency-Based Education
- Online Learning
- Workforce-Ready Skills Development
- Business Management & Leadership
- Information Technology & Cybersecurity
- Teacher Education & Licensure
- Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
- Affordable Higher Education
Company Website: https://www.wgu.college
ASSUMPTION: Working at WGU offers the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization that focuses on expanding access to higher education and empowering students to achieve their career goals.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive/Management level, with the opportunity to drive strategic initiatives and lead a team
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the University President or a Vice President
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for meetings and collaboration
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a more senior leadership role within the university
- Opportunity to shape the future of online education and competency-based learning
- Chance to develop and refine leadership, strategic thinking, and data analysis skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the university's mission and strategic goals.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork
Office Location(s): Salt Lake City Office, Utah
Geographic Context:
- Salt Lake City is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse economy and a high quality of life
- The university's headquarters is located in Maryland, with a significant presence in Utah
- The university offers a flexible, remote-friendly work environment for many of its employees
Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The on-site work environment at WGU fosters collaboration and teamwork, with opportunities for remote work to balance personal and professional responsibilities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interviews with hiring managers and team members
- Final interview with the University President or a Vice President
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Alignment with the university's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with P&L management, program marketing, and data-driven decision-making
- Demonstrate your ability to lead and manage a diverse team in a dynamic online education environment
- Showcase your understanding of the higher education industry and online learning trends
ATS Keywords: P&L management, program marketing, data analysis, team leadership, higher education, online learning, competency-based education
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at WGU is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership, and cultural fit for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Marketing automation and CRM platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the marketing and higher education industries, with a focus on data analysis, project management, and collaboration.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Student Focus: Putting students first in all decisions and actions
- Innovation: Embracing change and continuous improvement
- Integrity: Acting with honesty and ethical behavior
- Quality: Striving for excellence in all aspects of the university's operations
- Collaboration: Working together to achieve shared goals
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on quick decision-making and execution
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data to inform strategy and decision-making
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on working together to achieve shared goals
- Agile and adaptable, with a focus on embracing change and continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong track record of driving student growth and program success in a dynamic online education environment?
- Are you comfortable managing P&L and making data-driven decisions to achieve desired outcomes?
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment that emphasizes quick decision-making and execution?
- Are you able to lead and manage a diverse team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning from data?
ASSUMPTION: WGU values candidates who are passionate about its mission, innovative in their approach, and committed to working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing P&L and driving student growth in a competitive online education market
- Balancing strategic thinking and hands-on execution in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Leading and managing a diverse team with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Navigating a highly matrixed organizational structure
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for candidates with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and data analysis skills to drive program success and student growth in a dynamic online education environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on P&L management, program marketing, and data-driven decision-making in the higher education industry
- Compared to traditional higher education institutions, WGU offers a more agile, innovative, and data-driven approach to online education
- Career path opportunities may include advancing to more senior leadership roles within the university or transitioning to other functional areas, such as academic affairs or student services
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic, analytical, and leadership responsibilities, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the university's mission and strategic goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing strategy to launch a new online degree program, including market research, competitive analysis, and targeted marketing campaigns
- Analyzing student enrollment and retention data to identify trends and opportunities for program improvement and student success initiatives
- Leading a cross-functional team to redesign an existing online degree program to better meet the needs of today's students and the evolving job market
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and leadership responsibilities required for this role, with a focus on driving student growth and program success in a dynamic online education environment.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the university's strategic priorities for the next 1-3 years, and how this role contributes to achieving those goals?
- How does the university support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in leadership roles?
- What is the university's approach to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment?
- How does the university measure and track the success of its online degree programs, and how does this role contribute to that process?
- What is the university's approach to innovation and continuous improvement, and how does this role drive that initiative?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these key questions during the interview process will help candidates better understand the role's responsibilities, the university's culture, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through WGU's careers page
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role, with a focus on P&L management, program marketing, and data-driven decision-making
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your leadership, strategic thinking, and analytical skills
- Research the higher education industry and online learning trends to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the university's mission
- Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
