Details
Posted: 22-Mar-22
Location: Lexington, Virginia
Required Education: Bachelor’s
Employment Type:
Full-time
Organization Type:
Higher Education Institution
Job Description:
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Admissions, the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Communications works collaboratively with colleagues in the Division of Admission and Financial Aid and the Office of Communication to create, integrate and execute a sophisticated, multiplatform communications strategy to build relationships with the prospective student audience and support the university’s strategic undergraduate enrollment goals.
Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.
Essential Functions:
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Actively engages with Communications and Admissions leadership to design and execute Admissions and Financial Aid marketing and communications strategy.
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Serves as primary liaison between Communications and Admissions and Financial Aid staff to drive organizational goals and ensure best practices and successful project implementation.
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Serves on the University’s Admissions Marketing Committee, a cross-functional team with key stakeholders from Admissions and Communications, to identify needs, develop and implement annual communications plan, align messaging across units and make strategic use of various digital and print vehicles.
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In partnership with Admission & Aid and Communication colleagues, leads the creation and deployment of all Admissions and Financial Aid communications, including print pieces, email campaigns, social media, web content, and video and multimedia presentations.
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Collaborates with Communications website team to develop content for the university website, showing keen awareness of and sensitivity to the admission cycle, essential messages that support it, and the needs of prospective students and their families.
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Collects and analyzes metrics across platforms, to determine the efficacy of individual communications and campaigns and make strategic recommendations for future work.
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Serves as leader and project manager for all Admissions & Aid communications, maintaining the calendar and optimizing workflow and scheduling, from design consultation to content creation and deployment, keeping both Admissions and Communications content staff on schedule in working to deadlines.
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Serves as a member of the Communications Office content strategy group, participating in the development of story ideas and the strategic integration of key messages and institutional storytelling.
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Within the division, co-manages vendor relationships and content stewardship around online college search tools and direct mail & digital search campaigns, e.g. QuestBridge, Niche, College Board, Common App, and other partners.
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Additional related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: M-F, 8:30am - 4:30pm, Occasional night and weekend work required.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with significant experience in admissions or higher education marketing, or a combination of experience and education from which a similar background could be obtained. Master’s Degree and experience working with Slate CRM preferred.
Expertise in admissions marketing and communications, including print, digital marketing, social media, and website content, and an understanding of how to leverage both quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions. Curiosity about the college admission process and the role of marketing within it. Willingness and desire to stay abreast of current events in higher education and current thinking in higher education marketing. Experience writing and designing sophisticated, persuasive communications for print, web, email and social media, with content tailored for each platform. Experience creating and analyzing the effectiveness of digital advertising campaigns, such as social media marketing, IP targeting and social media and digital ad retargeting campaigns. Excellent storytelling abilities and the capacity to frame W&L's current and evolving story in a clear and compelling way to a diverse audience of prospective students. Superb attention to detail and proven project management skills, including initiative, problem-solving, attention to detail and ability to manage relationships in a complex environment both internally and externally. Experience working with writers, photographers and designers to produce high quality publications within strict budgets and deadlines. Ability to interact effectively with the broad spectrum of stakeholders, including colleagues and vendors. Aptitude for strategic thinking and the use of metrics in developing strategy, assessing effectiveness, and achieving goals.
Application Instructions:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume and cover letter are required. Attach both documents in the Resume/CV document upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references. Finalists will be asked to submit examples of their previous work or projects.
External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here.
Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here.
Physical Requirements:
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Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
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Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
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Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Position Type: Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible
Minimum Pay: $71,479.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience
The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.