Director of Marketing Strategy - Online Higher Education #0610

Our client is a prominent private Christian university—among the largest in its state—looking for a Director of Marketing Strategy to establish and lead a specialized marketing team supporting its fast-expanding online programs. This newly created position will form the foundation of the university's online marketing efforts, enhancing brand recognition and fueling enrollment growth within an intensely competitive higher education market.

This role is ideal for a visionary marketing professional who excels at blending creative thinking with measurable outcomes. The successful candidate will construct a top-tier team from scratch, create integrated marketing campaigns, and ensure external partners meet performance expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure external marketing agencies meet performance standards, deadlines, and deliverables while producing quantifiable outcomes

• Lead, develop, and coach a newly formed marketing team dedicated to the online division

• Act as the central point of contact between marketing operations and online division executives, facilitating ongoing strategic coordination

• Analyze marketing metrics and data to shape strategy, refine campaigns, and present findings to senior leadership

• Create differentiated, full-cycle marketing campaigns that set the organization apart in a saturated market

• Work alongside creative, digital, and communications colleagues to produce promotional assets across print, digital, and additional platforms

• Build and execute holistic marketing strategies combining brand awareness initiatives with performance-driven tactics to increase enrollment and visibility

• Cultivate an environment of innovation, inquisitiveness, and ongoing improvement within the marketing function

• Supervise project parameters, schedules, outputs, and key milestones across several simultaneous efforts

• Convert competitive intelligence and market research into practical campaign approaches

• Steward significant marketing budgets with strong fiscal responsibility and project oversight

• Required:

• Demonstrated success holding external vendors and agency partners to high performance standards

• Strong written and oral communication abilities, including experience presenting to executive leadership and collaborating across departments

• Proficiency in reading dashboards, interpreting analytics, and leveraging campaign data to guide decisions

• Solid project management skills with capacity to juggle multiple sophisticated initiatives at once

• 5–7+ years of strategic marketing experience with documented, quantifiable achievements in lead generation, revenue growth, brand development, or market expansion

• Hands-on experience with both brand-building (awareness, top-of-funnel) and results-oriented (lead generation, conversion) marketing approaches

• Ability to operate autonomously, manage competing priorities in a dynamic setting, and adjust to shifting organizational requirements

• Experience overseeing or shaping substantial marketing budgets

• Proven capability to conceptualize and deliver comprehensive marketing campaigns from inception to completion

• Exceptional organizational skills with sharp attention to detail, timelines, and quality of deliverables

• Preferred:

• Background in higher education marketing (sector-specific experience is highly valued)

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related discipline; graduate degree preferred

• History of recruiting, developing, and managing marketing teams

• Experience across diverse industries or verticals, showcasing flexibility

• Prior work in smaller organizations or startups with direct executive access and strategic accountability

• Working knowledge of CRM platforms, marketing automation tools, and campaign management systems

• Blend of agency and corporate/in-house marketing experience

• Salary Range**:** $109,000 annually, commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare and retirement plans

• Generous paid time off and vacation schedule

• Mission-driven work environment with strong work-life balance

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. 

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Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.  

Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location. 

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• Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available. 

• Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.

 

State-Specific Information: 

• Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants. 

• Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation. 

• New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.

 

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Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment 

Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles. 

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Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate. 

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.