Director of Marketing and Communications

Reports to: Executive Director | Department: Marketing | FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About the Role

The Director of Marketing and Communications leads the marketing team, which includes a Marketing Coordinator and student employees. This role is responsible for implementing and executing marketing programs that support business growth, guest satisfaction, and employee retention. The position provides support to all critical business initiatives, including pricing, meal plan sales, revenue growth, guest satisfaction, retention, and student engagement for Campus Dining and Shops at the University at Buffalo. This role drives the success of the Campus Dining program through creative marketing strategies tailored to the student community and collaborates with the dining operations team to enhance student and guest satisfaction, revenue, and inclusivity.

Schedule

This is a full-time, salaried position requiring flexibility to meet organizational needs. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday during standard business hours, but occasional evenings, early mornings, weekends, or holidays may be required to support events, deadlines, or operational priorities. Regular attendance at campus events, promotional activities, and department initiatives is expected. Occasional travel between campus locations, dining facilities, and off-site events (e.g., conferences, training, recruitment) may be required. Work hours may vary based on seasonal demands, academic calendar activities, or marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and execute comprehensive marketing strategies supporting the mission and goals of Campus Dining and Shops (CDS) and Three Pillars Catering within budget parameters.
• Create and implement integrated marketing campaigns to increase meal plan participation, drive retail dining sales, boost catering revenue, and strengthen customer engagement.
• Partner with dining operations leadership to develop unit-specific marketing and communication plans that align with operational objectives and revenue growth.
• Provide strategic leadership for branding, advertising, communications, media relations, and promotional activities, ensuring compliance with University at Buffalo, SUNY, and FSA policies.
• Conduct market research, customer surveys, and data analysis to identify opportunities for new programs, menu promotions, and customer experience improvements.
• Oversee digital marketing efforts, including website content, email marketing, digital signage, mobile applications, online ordering platforms, and social media channels.
• Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to evaluate marketing effectiveness, measure ROI, and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Lead and supervise the marketing team, including professional staff, interns, and student employees, through coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Collaborate with dining operations, culinary teams, retail managers, catering, student affairs, and external partners to execute promotional events, grand openings, and campus-wide initiatives.
• Serve as the primary marketing resource for management, providing expertise in branding, promotional planning, merchandising, and event planning.
• Direct the design, production, and distribution of marketing materials, including print publications, digital content, photography, video, and promotional merchandise.
• Develop and maintain relationships with university departments, student organizations, vendors, media representatives, and community partners to enhance engagement with CDS programs.
• Represent CDS and Three Pillars Catering on university committees, advisory groups, and community events as the marketing and communications representative.
• Administer the department’s operating budget, monitor expenditures, evaluate vendor contracts, and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
• Ensure brand consistency across all customer touchpoints, publications, digital platforms, and promotional materials.
• Stay current with higher education marketing trends, digital technologies, consumer behavior, and food service industry innovations.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support the mission of Campus Dining and Shops and Three Pillars Catering.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Public Relations, Advertising, Hospitality Management, or a closely related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, brand management, or advertising, including supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic marketing plans, managing budgets, and evaluating marketing effectiveness through analytics.
• Experience in higher education, collegiate dining, hospitality, retail food service, or auxiliary services marketing is preferred.
• Experience with meal plan marketing, consumer research, branding, merchandising, digital marketing, social media strategy, and promotional campaign development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and digital marketing platforms, including website content management systems, social media tools, graphic design software, and analytics tools.
• Strong understanding of customer-focused marketing principles and consumer behavior, preferably in food service, retail, or higher education.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed to support events and organizational initiatives.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with frequent travel to dining facilities, catering venues, and campus locations. The role requires regular interaction with employees, students, faculty, vendors, and the public in both office and operational food service settings. Frequent use of standard office equipment is required, along with the ability to occasionally lift or move materials up to 25 pounds (e.g., marketing displays, signage). The position may involve exposure to kitchen, retail dining, warehouse, and event environments with varying temperatures and noise levels.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing computer-based work or attending meetings.
• Frequent movement throughout office, dining, catering, and campus facilities to support marketing initiatives and events.
• Effective communication in person, by telephone, and through virtual platforms.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and audiovisual tools.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a collaborative environment.