Strategic Marketing Manager

Position Overview

Strategic Marketing Manager – Reporting to the Executive Director of Brand and Creative, this role leads the IWU Online marketing team (N&G) and oversees all N&G-related marketing projects and requests. The position is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies that support institutional goals and drive N&G’s visibility, engagement, and enrollment. It ensures strong project management discipline including managing timelines, milestones, and stakeholder communications, and serves as the essential conduit between the marketing team and N&G. Participation in the Chancellor’s Collective and a structured meeting cadence with both the N&G Chancellor and the SVP for Enrollment and Partnerships underscores the strategic nature of this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all N&G-related marketing projects by managing scope, timelines, deliverables, and critical milestones.
• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies for N&G that align with IWU’s institutional objectives.
• Coordinate with internal teams, external vendors, and partner agencies to ensure smooth campaign delivery and proactively address delays.
• Manage stakeholder communications as the central point of contact for N&G personnel and update leadership regarding status changes.
• Attend Chancellor’s Collective meetings to monitor unit developments and translate insights into actionable marketing plans.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation including timelines, action sheets, and status reports for accountability.
• Foster regular meetings with the N&G Chancellor and the SVP for Enrollment and Partnerships to align strategies and updates.
• Collaborate with creative, digital, and communications teams to develop promotional materials (print, digital ads, publications, email templates) that support strategic objectives.
• Utilize data and analytics to track campaign performance, generate insights, and refine future strategies.
• Assist with budget oversight and coordinate with vendors for N&G projects.
• Support other marketing or institutional priorities as needed, demonstrating flexibility and collaboration.
• Collaborate with other IWU Marketing teams to ensure unified messaging and strategy execution.
• Supervisory Responsibility: Supervise four marketing employees on the IWU Online marketing team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field is required.
• Five or more (5+) years of experience in strategic marketing, project management, or higher education marketing, particularly in online or enrollment-related contexts.
• Demonstrated success in leading multi-stakeholder marketing initiatives with strong project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience engaging senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in marketing tools and platforms such as CRM, analytics, and campaign management systems.
• Excellent organizational abilities with attention to detail and an ability to manage deadlines effectively.
• Important: A strong Christian commitment as outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field is preferred.