Marketing Director - Brand and Communications

Global University Systems (GUS) is focused on becoming one of the world’s most dynamic, inclusive, and diverse education organisations. GUS is an international network of higher education institutions, brought together by a shared passion for accessible, industry-relevant qualifications. GUS delivers a wide variety of programmes, including bachelor’s degree programmes, master’s degree programmes, professional training, English Language training, and corporate & executive education.

Position:

The Director of Branding and Communications will be responsible for working with Leadership to provide the branding and communications strategy that will help shape and elevate the University’s brand in Canada and across the globe.

The position is considered a critical role in the University as it is expected to drive brand recognition, engagement, internal and external communications, thought leadership, core brand and messaging strategy through close collaborations with stakeholders across the University and within the marketing and communications team.

The Director of Branding & Communications will be required to make data driven decisions that will shape how the University is marketed in the Niagara region, across Canada and globally.

Specific Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive branding & communications plan that elevates the University brand.
• Brand Development: Develop and build the University’s brand identity including managing Out-of-home campaigns, outreach, email nurturing, events and other marketing initiatives.
• Brand Reputation: Manage the University’s brand and reputation including developing a crisis management plan.
• Media Relations: Oversee all public relations, thought leadership strategy, and manage media relations.
• Content Marketing Strategy: Lead the creation and distribution of compelling engaging content across various channels. This includes developing copy for website, blogs, paid media campaigns, videos, faculty, student and alumni spotlight.
• Brand Stewardship: Develop and oversee all marketing materials, assets ensuring that all communications align with brand guidelines.
• Social Media Strategy: Establish and drive the University’s social media strategy including developing brand voice, influencer strategy and media monitoring across all social media platforms.
• Budget Management: Forecast, draft, implement, and oversee the department’s branding budget.
• Team Management: Managetheteam’sdeliverablesbyprovidingthekeyperformancemetricsrequiredto achieve the University’s overall goals.
• Team Mentorship: Recruit and train newly hired members of the team. Provide mentorship and professional growth opportunities.
  
  

Requirements:

Competencies

• Teamwork and the ability to lead and motivate their staff to produce high-level, brand-driven content.
• Excellent written, verbal and digital communication skills in English.
• A sense of aesthetics and a love for great copy and witty communication. Skilled in creating, editing, and promoting written and visual content.
• Advanced knowledge of social media platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, WhatsApp and others) and influencer strategy.
• Extensive experience leading development of brand campaign, communications, media relations and content marketing strategies.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of standard marketing functions, practices, processes, and procedures.
• Maintain deep expertise in the higher education industry, as well as in innovative marketing solutions, staying a breast of issues, trends and competitor strategies to identify differentiated growth and branding opportunities.
• Exceptional organization, planning and time & project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to manage processes and build roadmaps and timelines effectively and efficiently, including establishing criteria, formulating projects and assessing program effectiveness.
• Behavioural elements such as: good judgment, creativity, adaptability, persuasiveness, strategic thinking, decision making, resilience, resourcefulness, enthusiastic and meticulous attention to details.
• Ability to exercise mature judgment, diplomacy, and discretion, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships and bonds across internal teams and external partners.
• Ability to multi-task, while staying flexible and organized; Deadline-driven.
• Great at early identification of problems and involving others in seeking the best solutions available.
• Act with integrity in all decision-making and ensure alignment with management decisions.
• Align departmental priorities with the University’s purpose and strategic plan. Measure outcomes and use feedback to change as needed.
• A strong commitment to the mission of the University.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in marketing, or related field. A master’s degree in marketing or related field is an asset.
• 10+years of relevant experience in the same field across different industry sectors.
• Has a diverse experience in the field of marketing.
• Minimum 4 years of management experience in advanced education roles or equivalenting related field is required.
• Proven experience with marketing automation and CRM tools (eg. Salesforce).
• Demonstrated experience in project planning and management, and process improvement with the ability to manage multiple projects with efficiency.
• Having an established network in the industry is considered an asset.
• Will require to work occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Have to be on site in Niagara for 2 days in a week.
  
  

Other information:

Global University Systems equal opportunity employer. We provide equal opportunities and are committed to the principle of equality regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

The post holder may be asked to undertake different or additional duties in line with business requirements at the request of their line manager.

There is an expectation that all employees will maintain the values of the Group and will comply with the code of conduct as well as equality and diversity, health and safety and safeguarding policies