The University Relations division speaks with a unified, authentic and resonant voice to strategically advance the University of Denvers brand with four goals in mind:

1. To promote and protect DU’s reputation
2. To inspire students to enroll and engage
3. To increase inclusion
4. To strengthen the University

University Relations aims to strengthen DU’s strategic position locally, regionally and nationally through data-driven and authentic storytelling across multiple channels with focused support on the university's value drivers: academics and research; enrollment and admissions, athletics and advancement. Whether through public or media relations, digital strategies, social media, print,
podcast, issues or crisis management, community relations or thought leadership and training, University Relations drives results through narratives that involve words, pictures and design. With true understanding of and connection with our diverse audiences, we aim to foster collaborative problem solving, creativity and innovation.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for identifying and executing on opportunities for increasing our brand reputation in the eyes of multiple audiences. Working alongside University Relations team members and partners across campus, the Brand Marketing Manager understands that every touchpoint is an opportunity to impact DU’s perception and reputation, and leads by example to encourage and empower all DU employees to be brand ambassadors.

The ideal candidate will be able to identify and act upon opportunities for brand engagement and messaging, and has talents in both strategic thinking and practical execution. Well-versed in content marketing, social media, and brand experiences, this person will be able to connect the many dots being produced in University Relations and across the University to create compelling and engaging brand moments for all audiences.

Essential Functions

Brand Marketing and Experience Management (40%)

• Develop, distribute and optimize marketing toolkits intended to support and empower faculty and staff to accurately represent and promote DU
• Manage the MarComm swag inventory and identify and source products and giveaways to support marketing campaigns and efforts
• Identify opportunities for DU brand involvement such as sponsorships, partnerships, speaking opportunities, and more
• Collaborate with campus partners and MarComm colleagues to generate excitement and awareness of DU’s 3 signature events, leading to strong attendance and an exciting atmosphere
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to shape experiences, create memories and gather quality brand content throughout the year
• Oversee execution and management of brand marketing activations and coordinate with MarComm teams for on-site event coverage
• Monitor peer/competitor institutions’ brand marketing for trends, design concepts and creative approaches to ensure DU stands apart
• Maintain an authentic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and understanding of how brand marketing can align with this commitment

Content Marketing (40%)

• Create and execute an annual content marketing strategy that achieves three primary goals: (1) extend the reach, visibility and affinity for the DU brand; (2) increase traffic and engagement for content on a variety of platforms; (3) attract potential students, donors, peer institutions, thought leaders and others to engage with the DU brand
• Leverage capabilities across the department and other campus partner units to curate comprehensive, compelling stories distributed through multiple channels and media platforms
• Serve as primary steward of DU’s brand in marketing copy and collateral to ensure consistent representation of brand voice and tone. Assist with creation of marketing content as needed.
• Identify and execute distribution strategies for collaborative storytelling projects to ensure content is served to the right audiences at the right time. Distribution channels may include web properties, social media platforms, email, radio and podcast advertising, on-site displays, and more.
• Ensure marketing best practices are implemented into stories amplified for brand marketing purposes, including but not limited to conversion optimization and calls-to-action, SEO strategies, and tailoring the user journey for content engagement
• Maintain the university-wide proof point library in conjunction with campus partners, and establishing SOPs, systems and standards for updating and disseminating content for use in marketing materials across campus
• Oversee the social media team, strategy and content to engage with DU’s target audiences and effectively build community and brand affinity on social platforms
• Management and Reporting (15%)
• Serve as lead project manager for brand marketing projects and content packages in support of division and university strategic goals and initiatives
• Draft strategic briefs and other internal guiding documents to assist all team members with common understanding and achievement of project goals
• Coordinate the work of cross-functional teams and vendors responsible for high-quality deliverables, utilizing PM software and contributing to unit’s overarching production schedule
• Track KPls and provide reporting on engagement and impact of content and initiatives
• Provide guidance and feedback to direct report(s) to develop their strengths, increase their impact, and meet the needs of DU
  Other duties as assigned (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of brand marketing and its unique role in a marketing ecosystem to create compelling stories and positively influence a brand’s reputation
• Ability to think strategically, paired with execution skills to bring big ideas/concepts to life
• Experience identifying and injecting brand marketing moments at various touchpoints throughout a consumer journey
• Ability to define comprehensive content distribution strategies across multiple marketing channels and platforms
• Familiarity with industry best practices in the areas of web, social media, email, and traditional and digital advertising.
• Experience managing projects involving cross-functional creative teams, namely social media, photography, videography, editorial, web and design, to tell stories that reinforce DU’s brand.
• Comfort working with external vendors to manage and execute brand engagement opportunities
• Ability to gain group consensus by presenting ideas in a clear voice with a strong point-of-view that aligns with brand and University objectives
• Experience making decisions using data and analytics tools to inform future strategies and to identify opportunities for optimization of existing content
• Experience tailoring content for audience-specific distribution while maintaining consistent and clear brand tone and voice

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• At least 5 years of experience in a marketing and/or content strategy role
• Must possess excellent writing and grammar skills, along with the general ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form

Preferred Qualifications

• Experiential and/or guerrilla marketing activation experience
• Experience planning and executing strategic marketing and/or communications campaigns
• Experience creating written content specifically for marketing purposes
• Project management certification
• Experience in or demonstrable understanding of the higher education industry
• Supervisory experience

Working Environment

• The successful incumbent must live or be willing to relocate to the Denver metro area. The Division of Marketing & Communications has a flexible work arrangement with its employees, allowing for both community and culture building in office and remote work from home.
• Some travel as well as occasional weekend or after-hours work will be required to fulfill duties, especially related to on-campus event support.
• Activities are primarily performed in an environmentally-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse (70%); frequently required to move for varying lengths of time and travel moderate distances to perform work (30%)
• Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing required to perform essential functions
• Receives regular managerial review of objectives.
• Collaborates with contracted vendors as well as in-house team and University colleagues for completion of project/program related tasks as needed.
• Exposure to all weather conditions (within reason) may occur during creation of strategic content

Physical Activities

• Some lifting may be required to support experience/activation activities.
• Vision and hearing abilities necessary, given audio/visual responsibilities required of the position

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 31, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $90,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.