DIR, Communications

The Director of Marketing Operations will oversee project management, serve as the digital communications liaison, and manage day-to-day operations of UF Advancement’s Strategic Communications, Marketing & Engagement (SCME) team. The SCME is an interdisciplinary team of highly skilled professionals with expertise in the areas of creative media, content development, marketing and communications strategy and special events. Reporting to the Executive Director of SCME, the position requires a marketing and communications generalist who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is skilled at working with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of marketing initiatives.

Project Management Leadership

• Direct project management efforts for SCME, ensuring that tasks and projects are completed at the highest quality and that deadlines and processes are met. Recommends process improvements.
• Build collaborative relationships with partners in Advancement to drive progress toward collective goals.
• Provide training to project sponsors on operational best practices and project intake process.
• Participate in regular status meetings to inform team and stakeholders of project deliverables updates, and impending deadlines and milestones.
• Develop, track, and analyze work plans and production schedules with milestones and reports the progress of initiatives to the team. Proactively communicates with staff and clients.
• Maintain the project management platform and makes recommendations to improve and streamline functionality.

Digital Operations Coordination

• Serve as liaison with Advancement Intelligence and the digital communications team and facilitates information sharing between the teams.
• Provide strategic recommendations for UF Advancement digital properties, in collaboration with communications and development colleagues.
• Manage the UF Advancement/Foundation website properties, including strategy and implementation of website information architecture, content, and visual redesigns.
• Lead the migration of the Advancement and Alumni website content to UF templates.
• Understand best practices in digital content development to enhance search-engine optimization.
• Use marketing analytics to advise SCME in matters of digital communications.

Analytics & Reporting

• Provide regular marketing analytics reports to the SCME leadership team.
• Create and support a cadence of performance insights to project sponsors including recommendations for future campaigns and tactics.
• Evaluate and analyze programs using established attributes and metrics to produce accurate reports that guide effective decision making.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as part of the UF Advancement Strategic Communications Marketing & Engagement leadership team to help set strategies and execute effective processes, procedures, and workflows.
• Coordinate the expertise and resources of the communications and marketing team to meet the department’s strategic objectives.
• Work in collaboration with the SCME leadership team as it relates to university communications, marketing strategy, and college/unit engagement.
• Create documents and direct highly collaborative services to provide consultation and strategic programming to leadership, faculty, staff, and development officers and ensure alignment.
• Create and implement a data-driven operations plan that addresses gaps within campaign communications, marketing, and public relations, advising on solutions and creative strategies.

Day-to-Day Supervisor

• Build, manage and lead a strong team of professionals. Identifies and recruits top talent and provides leadership, counsels on matters relating to communications, and provides accountability, including establishing goals in alignment with unit objectives and strategic planning.
• Manage staff using Talent Management best practices in alignment with the Vision and Values of Excellence, Discovery & Innovation, Inclusion, Freedom & Civility, Community and Stewardship, ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files, and record keeping.
• Coordinate and monitor operating budget and provide periodic reports; creates projected budget expenses and works within established budgetary guidelines; ensures budget management by tracking progress to frequently assess and analyze financial expectations.

$90,000-$95,000; commensurate with education and experience. The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package including health, retirement, paid time off, discount programs, professional development and work life support. Learn more. 

Master’s degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and eight years of relevant experience.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Five to ten years of professional experience leading multi-channel and multi-stakeholder communications and marketing campaigns in higher education, similar complex organizations or at a creative agency.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, liberal arts, business, or related field.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written and visual communications, presentation, and motivational skills.
• Competency in problem solving; ability to respond effectively to change in a creative, demanding, and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to be self-motivated and self-managing while collaborating closely with senior leadership and delivering the division and university vision.
• Experience working in a complex environment in higher education, serving many internal clients and external constituents with the ability to network throughout the university, serving as a resource and identifying resources.
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail and work quality.
• Ability to listen carefully and consider stakeholder needs and react appropriately.
• Ability to deliver creative, high-quality work quickly, in a dynamic organization under time pressure.
• Ability to strategically manage multiple projects and prioritize work to maximize productivity.
• Demonstrated, proven success with communications and marketing analytics and research.
• Effective time management and organizational skills that are essential for success in this position.
• The ability to work strategically, develop and implement programs and activities for stakeholders, along with a talent for motivating staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• Working knowledge in these areas: Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Internet browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, email.  Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume and three references. Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.