Senior Director of Marketing

Openings
: 1

Position Overview: Gustavus Adolphus College seeks a talented and seasoned Senior Director of Marketing to join our team. Marketing and Communication is led by a co-leadership model with a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and a Chief Communications Officer (CCO). This position sits within the CMO’s lane, responsible for the operational execution of brand, enrollment, and program marketing. It does not overlap with the communications functions led by the CCO, which include institutional voice, media relations, and executive communications.

The Senior Director will oversee a team of approximately 3–4 staff, manage agency relationships, and lead the marketing strategy and execution that helps Gustavus cut through a competitive market, grow enrollment, and deepen engagement with key audiences across the region.

Job Summary: This position is a key part of the marketing leadership team, working closely with the Chief Marketing Officer to align and manage daily marketing operations across brand, enrollment, and program marketing. You will shape how Gustavus is known to prospective and current students, families, alumni, donors, sponsors, and partners. Your mission is to build marketing principles and assets in an authentic way — differentiating Gustavus in a crowded market, elevating brand awareness in the Twin Cities region, and delivering measurable results that drive enrollment.

Pay Range: $80,000-$92,000 annually

Location:

On-site, St. Peter, Minnesota (hybrid flexibility available)

Main Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 3–4 marketing and creative staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Work closely with the Chief Marketing Officer to build and safeguard the overall marketing strategy for Gustavus Adolphus College.
• Contribute to the Marketing & Communications team’s strategic goals, planning, and outcomes, partnering with the CCO’s communications team where initiatives intersect.

Campaigns & Channels

• Manage owned and paid campaigns across digital, print, social, and out-of-home channels.
• Lead coordinated multi-channel marketing efforts targeting key audiences.
• Build and oversee cross-channel marketing plans and agency management for day-to-day and campaign efforts.
• Manage agency partnerships and vendor relationships; direct contracted work and track ongoing progress.

Audience & Program Marketing

• Lead and execute marketing development for core institutional audiences, including Admissions, Financial Aid, Advancement, Alumni, Student Life, Athletics, Fine Arts, and the Provost’s office.
• Build strong working relationships with partners across college departments, elevating collective marketing effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the full Marketing & Communications team to ensure marketing work is aligned and streamlined across platforms.

Brand, Budget & Measurement

• Steward the marketing budget, ensuring responsible allocation and clear ROI reporting.
• Champion brand standards and visual identity in marketing execution; partner with the CCO’s team on brand governance across the institution.
• Drive impact through tracked and managed KPIs; build regular performance dashboards and recaps for the CMO and leadership.
• Ensure all deliverables are achieved, documented, and measured.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of paid industry experience in marketing or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years managing direct reports.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively and collaboratively with executive leaders and business partners.
• Proven track record managing and…