Marketing Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing Manager

🔹 Company: Rice University

🔹 Location: Houston, Texas, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Education Administration Programs

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-06-17

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (resides in Houston with occasional on-campus requirements)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic leadership and collaboration between the school’s communications team and individual departments
• Development, implementation, and measurement of marketing strategies to enhance visibility among prospective students and elevate the school’s reputation
• Regular meetings with assigned departments to discuss marketing objectives, define key messaging, and manage deadlines and budgets
• Strong command of brand storytelling, messaging, and measurable marketing practices
• Data-informed decision-making using key performance indicators (KPIs) and marketing analytics

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and project management skills to effectively collaborate with various departments and achieve marketing objectives.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Serve as a strategic leader and collaborative partner between the school’s communications team and individual departments

✅ Develop, implement, and measure marketing strategies to enhance visibility among prospective students and elevate the school’s reputation

✅ Meet regularly with assigned departments to discuss marketing objectives, define key messaging, and manage deadlines and budgets

✅ Oversee strategic long-range plans/programs to meet organizational objectives for a school or department

✅ Define and leverage the communication and brand strategy for the organization, incorporating appropriate channels

✅ Set and monitor budgets for broad-based projects impacting many areas

✅ Select and oversee the department vendor relationships

✅ Possess working knowledge of social media management and systems

✅ Write and coordinate the production of marketing and communication materials

✅ Lead market research and analysis efforts and guide the organization to use the results in strategic marketing direction, program segmentation, and audience targeting

✅ Participate in university-wide and/or organization-wide initiatives and cross-functional teams to establish the organization as a strategic partner and thought leader

✅ Provide guidance to others and perform all other duties as assigned

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of adaptability, as responsibilities may shift based on the needs of various departments and the overall marketing strategy.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent additional related experience)

Experience: 3+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations (or equivalent additional related education)

Required Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and creative problem-solving abilities
• Ability to prioritize, take initiative, and own projects
• Ability to take direction and work to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Familiarity with content management systems

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in communicating complex scientific concepts to a general audience
• Proven success developing and executing integrated marketing strategies and campaigns
• Track record of setting and achieving KPIs across digital channels
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Knowledge of trends in marketing and communications, especially in higher education and STEM fields

ASSUMPTION: While the preferred skills are not strictly required, possessing them would significantly strengthen the candidate's application.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000 per year

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with university contribution
• Tuition assistance program
• Generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave
• Employee assistance program
• Discounts on Rice University events and services

Working Hours: Full-time position with a 40-hour workweek. Occasional on-campus requirements may apply.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the job posting and is considered competitive for the role and location. Benefits are subject to change and may be reviewed annually.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Education Administration Programs

Company Size: 51-200 employees

Founded: 1912 (as a private research university)

Company Description:

• Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas
• Known for its strong academic programs, research initiatives, and commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Offers a range of degree programs across various disciplines, including engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and business

Company Specialties:

• Career development and guidance for students
• Research and academic programs in various fields
• Community engagement and outreach

Company Website: www.rice.edu

ASSUMPTION: Rice University is a well-established institution with a strong reputation in higher education, offering a comprehensive range of academic programs and resources for students.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level marketing professional

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (resides in Houston with occasional on-campus requirements)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to senior marketing roles within the university or related organizations
• Expanding skills and expertise in higher education marketing and communications
• Opportunities to collaborate with various departments and gain exposure to diverse projects

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the university and the broader higher education sector.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: University campus with a hybrid work arrangement

Office Location(s): Houston, Texas

Geographic Context:

• Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States, offering a diverse cultural scene, vibrant arts, and numerous employment opportunities
• The city is home to a strong economy driven by industries such as energy, healthcare, and aerospace
• Houston has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers

Work Schedule: Full-time position with a 40-hour workweek. Occasional on-campus requirements may apply.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration and engagement with the university community.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with senior leadership or relevant stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

• Marketing and communication skills
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Project management and organizational skills
• Adaptability and cultural fit

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing and communication skills, as well as any experience working in higher education or related fields
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns or projects you've led, emphasizing your ability to develop and execute strategic plans
• Research Rice University and the Center for Career Development to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission

ATS Keywords: Marketing strategy, brand storytelling, integrated marketing, KPIs, higher education, university communications, project management, cross-functional collaboration

ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary, but typically involves several stages of interviews to assess the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
• Marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required may vary depending on the university's existing infrastructure and the candidate's role within the marketing team.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Excellence in all endeavors
• Integrity and accountability
• Diversity and inclusion
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Student-centered approach

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities
• Data-driven and results-focused
• Creative and innovative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do I have a strong commitment to excellence and a passion for higher education?
• Am I comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and adapting to shifting priorities?
• Do I possess strong communication skills and the ability to develop and execute strategic marketing plans?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Rice University's values and work style are more likely to thrive in this role and contribute to the university's mission and goals.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and shifting priorities may require strong organizational skills and adaptability
• Working in a higher education environment may present unique challenges related to academic calendars, seasonal fluctuations in student engagement, and competing priorities
• Occasional on-campus requirements may necessitate flexibility in scheduling and travel
• Houston's humid subtropical climate may be uncomfortable for some individuals

ASSUMPTION: While these challenges exist, they can be managed effectively by a skilled and adaptable marketing professional.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to marketing roles in other industries, this position may require a stronger focus on storytelling and communicating complex scientific concepts to a general audience
• Higher education marketing may involve more collaboration with academic departments and faculty members, as well as a greater emphasis on student recruitment and engagement
• Career progression in higher education marketing may involve moving into senior roles within the university or transitioning to related organizations, such as educational nonprofits or consulting firms

ASSUMPTION: Understanding the unique aspects of higher education marketing can help candidates tailor their application and prepare for the interview process.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote a new engineering program, including targeted advertising, social media content, and email marketing
• Conducting market research to assess the demand for a new graduate program in data science and identifying potential target audiences for recruitment efforts
• Collaborating with faculty members to create engaging and informative content for the university's website and social media channels, highlighting their research and teaching activities

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and collaborative opportunities available in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the marketing team's structure and how this role fits within it?
• How does the university support the marketing team's efforts to enhance visibility and elevate the school's reputation?
• What are the most significant marketing challenges facing the university, and how can this role help address them?
• How does the university measure the success of its marketing campaigns, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important?
• What opportunities exist for professional development and growth within the marketing team and the university more broadly?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and informed questions demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's goals and priorities.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2001/job/4866
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing and communication skills, as well as any experience working in higher education or related fields
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns or projects you've led, emphasizing your ability to develop and execute strategic plans
• Research Rice University and the Center for Career Development to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.