Career Center

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Student Life has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Strategic Communications and Integrated Marketing.   The Director of Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing is responsible for the creative development and execution of the strategic marketing and communications plan for The Office of the Vice President for Student Life. The priority of this role is to effectively communicate the story of Student Life though the Office of the Vice President to multiple audiences in order to increase awareness of and generate private support for the division’s mission. The scope of the work includes the strategic development and dissemination of communications in multiple mediums to educate students, colleagues, campus leaders, donors, alumni, and the general public about the Student Life programs, services, impact, and opportunities for philanthropic partnership. This position requires an ability to strategize and plan.  Strong technical and writing skills are critical, and an eye for aesthetics and basic competence to create marketing collateral will provide a foundation for success.

The position will be responsible for all communication channels and collateral for the Office of the Vice President for Student Life and its related priorities.  It will oversee digital communication, websites and social media, print materials, and the development of executive messages in order to shape the division’s brand and achieve goals for service delivery, relationship building, and fundraising.

The Director of Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing must be a self-starter with a creative approach to communicate Student Life’s priorities to diverse audiences. This role will have significant independence and also require significant collaboration across campus in the development and implementation of the communications strategy for the Office of the Vice President.  Building a comprehensive strategy that integrates division, departmental, and partner messages into a cohesive strategy will involve relationship building, collaboration, synthesizing multiple priorities and messages, and ultimately the ability to independently produce deliverables.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop and implement a Division of Student Life marketing and communications plan that incorporates all appropriate channels including e-mail, websites, social media, print, video, speaking opportunities, and emerging communication technologies. Cultivate and promote the public image and brand of the Office of the Vice President for Student Life and the Division more broadly.  Manage all marketing and communication channels and collateral emanating from the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.

Advise Student Life executive leadership on key communication opportunities and approaches. Write, review and edit announcements, statements, newsletters, press releases, reports, and other communications on behalf of the Vice President/Office of the Vice President for Student Life.

Collaborate with the Student Life advancement teams to produce campaign case statements and materials and to support events, stewardship/donor recognition activities, and cultivation efforts.

Serve as a resource to  Student Life departments to develop communication strategy and messaging that is aligned with UW and Student Life brand priorities and help identify means to produce necessary collateral.  Establish procedures and protocols that allow division staff and campus partners to effectively utilize communication channels and tools owned by the Office of the Vice President for Student Life. Develop templates and tools that can be used broadly by Student Life departments whose staff may or may not include individuals with training in marketing and communications. 

Hire, train, and supervise a social media student intern, contract student employees, and student volunteers to support the development of marketing and communication collateral.

Identify vendors, contractors, or students to support the development of collateral and execution of strategy.

Establish metrics for communications programs; demonstrate effectiveness through assessment and evaluation.

Manage annual marketing/communications budget.

Participate in and contribute to committees and marketing/communications learning communities in the division.

Perform related duties as required.

Lead Responsibilities:

The Director of Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing will serve as the marketing/communications point person and chief strategist for Student Life. The position will manage all communications channels for events, print communications, e-communications, website and social media as well as write and edit content for web, e-newsletters, presentations and general communications.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position will supervise student interns and volunteers.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Education, Public Affairs or related field and 4-5 years of related experience.

Diverse experiences in communications, marketing, or public relations.

Proven competence in one or more of the following - strategic e-mail communications, social media, graphic design and layout, web development.

Proven expertise writing case statements, proposals, or targeted appeals.

Working proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Microsoft Office Programs.

Experience developing targeted messages and communications for diverse audiences.

Strong interpersonal skills and customer service. Poised, professional manner with the ability to express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communications, verbal and written, one-on-one and group, etc. Ability to communicate in a direct and professional manner that resolves differences. Ability to interact at all levels of the organization. Ability to grasp the landscape within an organization and navigate appropriately.

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships and actively contribute as a member of working teams to achieve results.

Ability to work independently, solve problems, take initiative, set priorities and handle multiple projects efficiently and effectively. Takes responsibility and initiative to set and meet the goals, objectives, and obligations of the role while representing the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

Ability to gather disparate information and distill key points; ability to develop material that conveys emotion; ability to deftly leverage the written word, visual imagery, and data to communicate key information.

Demonstrated creativity, organizational ability, and strong attention to detail. Ability to make decisions in ambiguous situations, exercise good judgment based on information and analysis in a fast-paced, dynamic, and deadline-driven environment in an organized and professional manner.

Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to maintain confidences and protect confidential information; acts in a selfless manner and models ethical values of the UW.

Values the UW’s commitment to inclusiveness. Demonstrates respect and commitment to diversity.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired Qualifications:

Master's degree in communications, digital and new media, user interface, or a related field.

Experience with executive level communications.

Experience in the fundraising field and/or with donor communications.

Experience managing communications efforts for and during events.

Experience working in a higher education or non-profit setting.

Professional experience managing a budget.

Experience supervising students, volunteers, or staff.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.