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Assistant Director for Marketing and Strategic Communications

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Full-time
On-site
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville United States of America

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Closing Date:

02/27/2026


Type of Position:

Marketing


Workstudy Position:

No


Job Type:

Regular


Work Shift:


Sponsorship Available:

No


Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.


Department:

Communications and Marketing


Department's Website:


Summary of Job Duties:

The Assistant Director for Marketing and Strategic Communications serves as an embedded Unit Communicator within the Division of Student Affairs Marketing & Communications (MarComm) shared services team, with primary responsibility for supporting University Housing. This position provides strategic, coordinated marketing and communications support for Housing while operating within divisional and institutional standards, processes, and governance structures.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Affairs Marketing & Communications, the Assistant Director partners closely with University Housing leadership, MarComm colleagues, and University Relations (UREL) to ensure Housing communications align with divisional priorities, university branding, and approved messaging. The role supports unit-level communications, contributes to divisional initiatives, and advances integrated storytelling that positions Housing as a critical component of the broader Student Affairs mission and student experience.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.


Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Graphic Design, Higher Education, Business, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education

  • At least two years of professional experience providing strategic marketing and communications leadership within a complex organization, higher education environment, or similarly matrixed setting

  • Experience managing integrated communications efforts across multiple channels, including print, web, social media, email, photography, video, and digital platforms

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working in a higher education environment

  • Experience drafting and coordinating press releases, mass communications, and external-facing messaging in collaboration with shared services teams and university relations offices

  • Experience providing design and branding oversight for unit-level communications while ensuring compliance with university brand standards, accessibility requirements, and visual identity guidelines

  • Experience managing or coordinating photography and videography projects, including working with internal creative staff, external vendors, and unit partners

  • Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating social media strategies that support engagement, accuracy, accessibility, and institutional reputation

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

  • Knowledge using project management systems (e.g., ClickUp or similar tools) to scope, track, and manage communications projects

  • Knowledge of AP Style, university writing standards, and brand guidelines

  • Knowledge of higher education communications practices, including coordination with central communications offices and adherence to institutional brand, style, and governance standards

  • Knowledge of crisis communications and media inquiry protocols, including the ability to identify potential reputational risk and escalate appropriately through established channels

  • Knowledge of web content management, including drafting web-ready content, collaborating with digital teams, and ensuring accessibility, usability, and content accuracy

  • Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and familiarity with Canva or similar tools

  • Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with strong attention to detail and quality control

  • Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills

  • Ability to work effectively within a shared services or centralized communications model, coordinating unit-level communications with divisional and institutional stakeholders

  • Ability to independently develop and approve routine unit communications while effectively coordinating required reviews for higher-visibility campaigns, publications, or branded assets

  • Ability to develop, implement, and assess strategic marketing and communications plans, including annual and multi-year planning aligned with divisional and institutional priorities

  • Ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-centered messaging for students, families, staff, and external audiences


Additional Information:


Salary Information:

$56,123 - $62,000 (Commensurate with education and experience)


Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status


Recruitment Contact Information:

Robyn Starling Ledbetter, Senior Director Marketing and Communications Division of Student Affairs, rledbet@uark.edu, 479-575-3887


All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.


Special Instructions to Applicants:


Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.


Constant Physical Activity:

Balancing, Grasping, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Reaching, Repetitive Motion


Frequent Physical Activity:

Feeling, Hearing, Sitting, Talking


Occasional Physical Activity:

Pulling, Pushing, Standing, Walking


Benefits Eligible:

Yes