DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

Campus: Tempe • End Date: September 4, 2026

About the Role

The nation’s most innovative university seeks an experienced and visionary marketing and communications leader to serve as the Director, Marketing and Communications at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This position will oversee integrated planning and strategy to support the college during a pivotal moment in its evolution.

The Director serves as the chief strategist for marketing, communications and is responsible for leading the development and execution of short- and long-term strategic marketing and communications plans for The College and its three divisions, including resource management and budget allocation. The Director will provide strategic leadership and marketing support to four deans, multiple associate deans, 19 chairs and directors, and varying stakeholders across The College in the areas of recruitment, retention, development, events, alumni, and media relations.

The Director will provide strategic and creative direction and vision to a team of in-house subject matter experts; foster deep partnerships with college leadership and stakeholders; and ensure coordinated, consistent and best-in-class execution to elevate the reputation of The College at a national scale. Reporting to the Dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the director oversees activities including student recruitment marketing and communications, paid media strategies, owned and earned media strategies, internal and external communications, and development communications. The leader serves as the chief architect for how The College tells its story, reaches new audiences, grows its programs, and builds relationships with the community.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which includes 19 academic units, 40+ centers and institutes, and ASU ROTC, is known as the academic heart of ASU. The College has a dynamic and innovative approach to the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, merging disciplines to educate the next generation in the power of language, culture and society, critical thinking, scientific exploration, and discovery. The Director will be an orchestrator, working across the university to advance the growth of a portfolio of 100 undergraduate degrees, over 150 graduate degrees, as well as institutional partnerships and university-wide initiatives. The role requires a strategic leader who can build systems, develop people, and align complex campaigns and initiatives with measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of short- and long-term strategic marketing and communications plans for The College and its three divisions, including resource management and budget allocation.
• Provide strategic leadership and marketing support to four deans, multiple associate deans, 19 chairs and directors, and stakeholders in recruitment, retention, development, events, alumni, and media relations.
• Provide strategic and creative direction to a team of in-house subject matter experts.
• Foster partnerships with college leadership and stakeholders to ensure coordinated, consistent, and best-in-class execution to elevate The College’s reputation nationally.
• Oversee student recruitment marketing and communications, paid media strategies, owned and earned media strategies, internal and external communications, and development communications.
• Serve as the chief architect for storytelling, audience engagement, program growth, and community relationship-building for The College.
• Orchestrate efforts across the university to advance the growth of 100+ undergraduate degrees, 150+ graduate degrees, and institutional partnerships.
• Build systems, develop teams, and align complex campaigns with measurable outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field, including two (2) years of managerial experience; OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.
• Previous experience working as a marketing leader and strategist for large, complex organizations, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communication and marketing principles, with the ability to translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Demonstrated ability to provide inspirational leadership and facilitate teams to create a shared vision for long-term goals and immediate business objectives.
• Strong service orientation, disciplined work ethic, and ability to instill a high standard of excellence in the team.
• Proven strategic planning, creative direction, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, with a track record of innovation.
• Experience overseeing performance reporting and optimizing campaigns for measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Experience with student recruitment, particularly within higher education contexts.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to set priorities, manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, and drive efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with project management tools, defined processes, and workflow optimization.
• Ability to remain flexible and responsive to new ideas, projects, and directions while ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Strong client relationship skills and the ability to self-direct while fostering collaboration within and across teams.
• Hands-on familiarity with core marketing tools and channels, including content management systems (such as Drupal), social media, print and digital mediums, advertising, and email communications (such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud).

Department Overview

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (The College) is the largest college at ASU and is organized in a divisional structure comprised of Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. The atmosphere is collegial, priorities are fluid, and demands for assistance come from many directions. This position provides an opportunity to exercise initiative and enhance leadership skills.

The College offers the greatest choice and diversity of studies of any school at Arizona State University, the largest public university in the United States. In addition to top academic programs, award-winning faculty, and state-of-the-art lab and research facilities, The College offers unique opportunities to explore a vast spectrum of academic disciplines—from science and math to languages and philosophy—that few other colleges and universities can provide. The College has 90+ undergraduate majors and 140+ graduate degrees housed in 23 interdisciplinary schools and departments. The College is redefining liberal arts and sciences education for the 21st century.

Pay

$110,000 - $125,000 per year, dependent on experience.