At KU Marketing, we tell the world how the University of Kansas inspires Jayhawks to their full potential, fuels discovery and ambition, revels in the tradition-rich Jayhawk spirit, and cares for our students, our state, and the greater good. Our strategic, creative team focuses its expertise on meeting recruitment and brand-development objectives. We find stories of curiosity, resolve, and triumph from the KU community, and we share those with prospective students of many ages and interests. We help define every day what it means to be a Jayhawk—and we know that crimson and blue will look good on you.

The marketing strategist is a key leader in strategic communications and relationship management. This person is responsible for creating and managing both short- and long-term marketing plans for KU Marketing and its partner offices. The marketing strategist leads the development of strategic plans that solve our partners’ needs and align with overall marketing priorities for the University of Kansas. This person also ensures that the creative executions of those plans adhere to strategic objectives, time lines, and budgets. The marketing strategist brings creative vision to marketing plans, strategically suggests tactics in a variety of media, and works closely with the marketing strategy and creative teams to produce high-quality work that meets brand standards and strategic objectives. Additionally, this person will often lead key strategic projects for KU Marketing.

About Lawrence, KS

The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, a community of about 95,000. Only 35 miles west of Kansas City and 20 miles east of Topeka, you will never be far from barbecue, jazz, museum culture, and more. Lawrence has a lively downtown and a thriving arts and music scene, and its local government has enacted ordinances supporting equality for all members of its population. Lawrence locals covet the numerous sports and recreational opportunities, local shops, and a wide range of locally-owned restaurants.

• Write, present, and manage the execution of annual marketing plans.
• Lead the development of key strategic documents—campaign and project plans, and strategic briefs, etc.—with key stakeholders and teammates.
• Work closely with the marketing strategy team to develop measurable objectives and evaluate projects against those standards.
• Develop key insights about our various target audiences; conduct market and audience research as needed.
• Partner with the KU Marketing leadership team to develop effective strategies and to both evolve and differentiate the KU brand with appropriate audiences.
• Plan, strategize, trouble-shoot, and seek solutions for a wide range of partners and issues.

• Support the development of creative work within the Marketing team, at times taking a lead role.
• Review creative materials and ideas against strategy and approve or suggest changes to art directors, copywriters, and editors.
• Participate in creative development meetings and support the concept-development process.
• With project managers, focus the creative team’s efforts to ensure that, collectively, we deliver work that meets or exceeds industry standards and is on time and within budget.
• Meet and work collaboratively with the associate director of marketing strategy and leadership group to ensure consistent and timely work output that meets agreed-upon goals.
• Build and run mailing lists in university CRMs (Slate, MailChimp, etc.).
• Manage final email quality-assurance. Queue emails in university CRMs (Slate, MailChimp, etc.).

• Work with marketing analyst to provide regular reports and updates to teammates and partners on the status and effectiveness of various tactics and/or campaigns.
• Cultivate a fully engaged understanding of partner needs and possible solutions.
• Present work to clients and indicate how the solutions and ideas meet the requirements of the strategy.
• Act as point of content for partner offices: answering questions, managing relationships, etc.

• This position will have a hybrid work arrangement. Incumbent will work remotely and on campus based on a set departmental schedule.

• Bachelor's in journalism, advertising, public relations, strategic communications, or closely related field PLUS three (3) years of professional experience with strategic planning or account management in an agency setting or in-house marketing unit OR a Master's in journalism, advertising, public relations, strategic communications, or closely related field PLUS 1 (one) year of related experience.

• An excellent portfolio that demonstrates a clear vision and approach to strategic communications, ideally with a diversity of projects and styles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience creating marketing strategies for a variety of projects, such as print and digital executions, online advertising, internal communications, etc., with proven conceptual and creative abilities.
• Experience with CRM principles and tools.
• Experience in developing brand strategy or campaign plans.
• Experience working with teams on large-scale, long-term projects.
• Experience with account and/or project management principles, especially in an agency or in-house marketing setting.
• Excellent analytical and process-oriented skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.

A complete online application includes:

• Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• Contact information for three (3) professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).

• Application review begins Friday, March 24, 2023 and continues until a pool of qualified candidates is identified.