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Assistant Director for Marketing and Strategic Communications

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

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Closing Date:

06/09/2026


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 leads comprehensive communications efforts across the student housing lifecycle, including recruitment and yield communications for prospective students and families, resident engagement communications, social media strategy, website management, parent and family communications, and crisis messaging. The position also oversees 3-5 student employees supporting Housing marketing and communications initiatives.

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 three years of progressively responsible professional experience providing strategic marketing and communications leadership within a complex organization, higher education environment, or similarly matrixed setting

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

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing and executing year-round communication campaigns targeting prospective students, current residents, and families

  • Experience managing communications in housing, enrollment, orientation, student affairs, or related higher education environments

  • Experience using client-relationship management systems such as StarRez to create and manage automated email workflows and communication dashboards

  • Experience with supervision

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge in creating and maintaining photography libraries and content collection systems

  • Ability to develop strategic communication plans that support the full student housing lifecycle, from admission and contracting through move-in, residency, and move-out

  • Ability to build integrated editorial calendars for social media, email marketing, web updates, and parent communications

  • Working knowledge of CRM and housing software platforms, including automated communication workflows

  • Ability to translate operational information into clear, timely, and student-centered messaging

  • Ability to lead content gathering and storytelling efforts with residence hall staff and campus partners

  • Ability to develop and maintain visual brand standards, stock photography libraries, and environmental communications


Additional Information:

Criminal Background Check
Sex Offender Registry Check
Drug Screen Required


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 preference, 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