Digital Marketing Specialist

In support of Clarkson University's initiatives to expand digital direct marketing in admissions, fundraising and school-based support for peer outreach, the University Marketing team seeks a collaborative colleague who possesses a strong blend of strategic operational and leadership skills in marketing communications, admissions initiatives and results-based analysis. The Digital Marketing Specialist, reporting to the Director of Interactive Marketing, assists in the implementation and continual optimization of marketing activities and campaigns designed to generate quality leads, applicants and enrolled students for both graduate and undergraduate study; to promote Clarkson to peers; and to engage alumni in the life of the University. This position may be in person in Potsdam or a fully-remote position in the following states:

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

General Purpose:
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive digital innovation for social and digital media initiatives aligned to the University brand and operational goals focused on graduate and undergraduate admissions, peer recognition, fundraising and development.

* Create, assist with and manage digital projects and their integration with other elements of operational plans from inception to completion; serve as day-to-day liaison for assigned unit portfolios, notably graduate admissions and recruitment.
* Create and optimize email campaigns in Slate to drive enrollment; work to continually improve user experience via various touch points (such as landing pages, slate portals, etc.) throughout the marketing funnel.
* Contribute to digital advertising strategy and campaign management (including working with staff to create conversion-optimized landing pages and lead capture forms) to drive leads resulting in graduate enrollment.
* Contribute to content marketing strategy and development by working with staff, current students, alumni and faculty to create material for use in projects such as interview, blogs, etc.; write and edit copy; and prepare and curate digital materials and messages to ensure consistency with University's brand and incorporate marketing strategies.
* Keep website and landing pages up-to-date and optimized following search engine optimization (SEO) best practices.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to leverage the University brand and marketing outreach with operational plans to engage with audiences, and to maximize user-generated content.
* Measure defined campaign metrics and report performance of all digital marketing campaigns and assess KPIs.
* Ideate and generate innovative strategies and lead outreach and brainstorming sessions to develop creative content.
* Work with Media Relations in developing consistent, actionable social media and digital advertising reporting and intelligence roadmap to assess performance.
* Support general customer and key stakeholder inquiries, requests and complaints.
* Conduct competitive analysis and market research to help inform digital strategies.
* Utilize visual content creation skills and tools including composition, image editing, caption development and video production support.

Education:
Minimal Qualifications:
* Bachelor's Degree in marketing, communications, business or related field; or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience totaling six to eight years in marketing, communications, business or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Master's degree in marketing, communications, business or related field

Experience:
Minimal Experience:
* Two to five years or more of marketing experience using the Slate CRM platform

Preferred Experience:
* Previous higher education recruitment and/or experience in higher education marketing and communications in an educational institution is highly preferred.
* Experience and ease in translating STEM terminology, complex research challenges and innovative ideas into easy to understand concepts.

* Proven ability to roll up sleeves and work hands-on to build, develop and motivate diverse teams, while working collaboratively and cross-functionally on innovative marketing strategies.
* High comfort-level with evolving technologies and their integration with enterprise solutions, marketing and operational plans. Vast experience in and understanding of customer relationship management systems, especially SLATE, is essential.
* Experience in setting up and optimizing advertising campaigns, digital funnel recruitment strategies and performance metrics.
* Solid understanding of university business models, trends and innovative practices to drive ROI.
* Self-motivation, and entrepreneurial spirit, exceptional communication, problem-solving and organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast paced environment.
* Must excel at identifying problems, evaluating key issues, attention to detail, and delivering solutions in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment while working collaboratively with the Marketing, recruiting and leadership teams.
* A results-orientation to act decisively and promptly on projects while in parallel appreciating the university environment that thrives on collaborative input, consensus and perspectives that will lead to successful projects and buy-in of others.
* A working knowledge of legal and compliance guidelines required in the management of marketing programs and recognition of sensitive situations that require input from supervisor and others.
* Professional writing and editing experience in editorial or marketing "brand voice," preferably in higher education and/or digital formats.
* Technical proficiency in Microsoft products, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), enterprise systems such as web content management systems and online databases.
* Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The physical demands characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Health & Safety: All staff has a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff is therefore required to adhere to the University's Health, Safety, and Environmental Policy & Procedures.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

Special Instructions to Applicants: An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, Clarkson actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women and people with disabilities.

All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully passing a background check (including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, and criminal records