Communications and Marketing Director

WHO WE ARE

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is dedicated to student success. Entering the fifth year of her presidency at CSUSM, Dr. Ellen Neufeldt continues to work in partnership with faculty, staff, and the community to expand the university’s reach and impact. With a new institutional strategic plan launched in 2022 titled “The Power of CSUSM/The Power of US”, the university is looking forward to launching a major philanthropic campaign to support institutional priorities. The campus is also in the early stages of developing a new academic master plan, strategic enrollment plan, and campus facilities master plan.

Since its founding in 1989, CSUSM has been dedicated to expanding educational access, student success, and opportunity. From first-year programs, community-based learning opportunities, internships, undergraduate research, and more, the university works to foster deep learning and academic success by engaging students in meaningful and innovative educational experiences. In 2022, CSUSM ranked number one in the nation on the National Social Mobility Index, which measures how well colleges and universities lift low-income students into well-paying careers post-graduation. CSUSM was also recently named a “Top 25 Most Transformative College” according to Money Magazine.

As an anchor institution in the region, CSUSM is highly connected and responsive to the needs of local communities. Approximately 8 out of 10 CSUSM graduates remain in the region after graduation, 52% of whom are the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Enrollment now exceeds 16,000 diverse students, serving San Diego County, Orange County, and Southwest Riverside County. CSUSM is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with over 50% of our students representing the Latinx community. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into all aspects of CSUSM’s work. To learn more, visit: https://www.csusm.edu/

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

This position will report to CSUSM’s Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the CSUSM Foundation, Jessica Berger. Jessica brings nearly 20 years of advancement experience, serving in various development roles at Harvey Mudd College before joining CSUSM in 2021. Under Jessica’s leadership, CSUSM is making major investments in the advancement team to help support and drive the university’s growth and impact. The department’s culture is based on inclusion, transparency, and autonomy, with team members provided the latitude and support to own and innovate within their individual roles.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Annual salary: $100,000 – $110,000
• Medical, dental, and vision
• CALPERS retirement plan
• 24 paid days off
• 12 paid sick days
• 13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday

LOCATION

This role will primarily be in-person, with some flexibility to work remotely. The office is located on the main CSUSM campus at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd. San Marcos CA, 92096.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement (UA), the Communications and Marketing Director is a newly created position serving as a strategic advisor to the Vice President and division leadership, supporting efforts to amplify the presence of CSUSM’s philanthropic and development initiatives. The Director will lead communications for every area of the division, from campaigns to major gifts and events. As a member of the UA senior leadership team, the Director will be responsible for developing, managing, and executing a comprehensive communication strategy for UA, overseeing the day-to-day operations of marketing and communications for the department, and expanding branding activities. The Director will also work in close collaboration with University Communications to convey the university’s mission to diverse constituencies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and implementation of UA’s comprehensive communications strategy.
• In partnership with University Communications, develop and execute a philanthropic campaign focused, university-wide strategic branding and communications plan that promotes and broadens brand awareness of CSUSM’s mission and programs.
• Collaborate with University Communications to compose, edit, and manage the production of collateral materials with a shared language and content for marketing, proposals, case statements, collateral, and scripts.
• Lead and direct marketing campaigns and strategies for UA, using creative and digital communications to implement an integrated and layered marketing approach.
• Support best-practice communications and marketing policies, standards, and guidelines and collaborate with campus departments to ensure integration, adherence, compliance, and advancement toward the strategic goals of the campaign.
• Ensure a community-focused strategy to support CSUSM’s mission, building effective strategic alliances internally and externally.
• Streamline communication processes to realize cost savings and economies of scale.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Highly skilled in the areas of marketing, communications, media relations, publications, and branding.
• Knowledge and understanding of the nonprofit/philanthropic sector, with hands-on experience in campaign communications and fundraising techniques, including proposal and case statement writing, public relations, donor relations, and stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience guiding an organization through the development and implementation of marketing and branding plans.
• Deep knowledge of current marketing trends and digital strategies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences both internally and externally.
• Experience working with graphic design, photography, and printing vendors.
• Experience supporting the marketing and communication elements of major events such as conferences, symposiums, galas, and dinners.
• Ability to prioritize projects appropriately, making informed decisions quickly and decisively.
• Effective at working with multiple stakeholders and personalities institution-wide.

California State University San Marcos