Assistant Director, Brand Advertising and Activation

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

• This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.
• This position is posted as Assistant Director, Brand Advertising and Activation, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Marketing Assistant Director.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Marketing, the Assistant Director of Brand Advertising and Activation leads brand advertising and activation executions, including brand advertising media buy, creative deliverables, activation management, and reporting. As a member of the University Marketing Management team, this position also plays an important role in ensuring the alignment with University Marketing (UM) mission, supporting brand, enrollment, and institutional strategic goals, as well as client-specific objectives through collaboration with other leaders of the Marketing unit.

Business - 80%

• Leads the creative development of brand advertising campaigns, including ensuring advanced project planning, the successful implementation of content strategy informed by brand research, quality creative outcome, and on-time delivery of the assets.
• Facilitates and manages a multi-channel approach for brand advertising campaigns.
• Executes and manages brand activations through established partnerships, including collaboration and coordination with campus partners, external agencies and partners, and internal UM teams.
• Reports on overall brand advertising, including but not limited to media spend and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Provides brand campaign advertising support and expertise for strategic integrated marketing campaigns.
• Ensures that paid media brand advertising campaigns are synergized and aligned with digital paid lead generation efforts.
• Maintains awareness of media trends in higher education and related to strategic initiatives.

Leadership and Administrative Responsibilities - 15%

• Responsible for resource allocation decisions related to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Manages performance across a team of contracted resources.
• Defines and monitors associated KPIs of the key responsible areas listed above.
• Reports, presents, and promotes program outcomes to stakeholders and colleagues across the university.
• Develops and provides expertise/guidance to internal and intra-team processes and standards related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Other - 5%

• Additional duties as required for the effective operation of the marketing department.

Work Environment

• Working indoors with occasional travel to meet external agencies and partners; in-person participation in activations; and participation in relevant branding/marketing activities on behalf of the University Marketing unit.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• 3-5 years of relevant functional experience.
• 2-4 years of marketing or advertising program management experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Master’s degree in relevant field.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience.
• Previous work experience in a university setting or a complex organization.

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of practices, developments, and techniques used in brand and marketing communications.
• Strong knowledge of advertising and marketing best practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of brand/marketing communications industry trends in higher education.
• Knowledge of effective brand/marketing communications strategies for diverse populations.
• Knowledge of current/effective program management tactics and practices.

Skills

• Project management skills.
• Conflict resolution and customer service skills.
• Planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills.
• Analysis and reporting skills.

Abilities

• Communicates effectively.
• Manages relationships.
• Fosters and establish cross-departmental partnerships.
• Analyzes and manages complex situations and anticipates issues.
• Promotes a diverse and inclusive environment.

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Anticipated salary range is $83,312 - $104,140. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

July 24, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

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NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.