Marketing Strategist

Job Title: Marketing Strategist Department: Communications Classification: Exempt Grade: 12 FTE/Working

Schedule:

40 hours/week (1.0 FTE)

The Marketing Strategist is a member of Carleton’s creative and strategic Division of Communication team, working in close collaboration with the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), which is collectively responsible for raising $40+ million annually and engaging Carleton’s 30,000 alumni.

The Marketing Strategist integrates marketing strategy with hands‑on creative execution to develop and implement strategies that engage alumni, donors, and parents, support fundraising goals, and enhance Carleton’s brand and awareness as a leading national liberal arts college. Through their work, they are expected to have a deep understanding of the Carleton experience and the needs and interests of alumni and donors.

They play the dual role of advocate and subject matter expert for their colleagues in the Division of Communications, as well as campus partners in DAR, bringing clarity to the work of both teams.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing Strategy, this role works closely with their Division of Communications colleagues to take projects from concept through delivery, requiring a balance of strategic thinking and strong content‑creation skills. They are expected to have advanced verbal and written communications skills, be a highly creative and critical thinker, and have a clear understanding of best practices and emerging trends in marketing and communications.

The expected starting salary range for this position is between $75,800 and $78,400. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job‑related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.

• Partner with staff across divisions to develop annual marketing and communications strategies that align with college priorities, meet campus partners’ needs and expectations, and have clear and actionable outcomes.
• Use institutional data and research to translate high‑level goals into concise, quantifiable marketing strategies and actionable communications deliverables. Analyze campaign performance and the effectiveness of various marketing tactics to optimize content and refine strategies.
• Author and approve detailed creative briefs that serve as the strategic foundation for all creative work the Division of Communications is developing in partnership with DAR.
• Set clear objectives, identify key audiences and messages, and select the right channels for marketing and communications projects, including print, web, video, email, direct mail, and social media.
• Lead project kickoffs, brainstorming sessions, and meetings, guiding creative project teams and campus partners through strategy and concept to final delivery.

• Write, review, and edit content for a wide range of new and recurring creative projects, including email marketing, printed communications, digital advertising, and social media campaigns.
• Collaborate closely with the director of design and user experience and graphic designers to establish creative direction for print and digital materials, identifying photography and illustration needs. Provide supplemental design support for campus partners, as needed, utilizing Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
• Review major deliverables from staff members and outside vendors, provide feedback, manage reviews, and deliver recommendations with rationale to campus partners.
• Partner with the visual storyteller, digital content producer, and news & social media manager to develop visual content for a variety of mediums, including social media, print materials, events, email, and the web.

• Partner with the embedded communications manager for DAR to ensure that campus partners’ needs are being met. Maintain strong relationships and regular direct contact with offices in DAR, including staff from Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Major and Planned Giving, Milestone Reunions, and Stewardship.
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