Strategic Marketing Manager

Job Title: Strategic Marketing Manager

Reporting Relationship: Executive Director of Brand and Creative

Unit: Central Administration

Department: IWU Marketing - IWU Central Administration

Campus Location: Indianapolis Ed Center North, Indianapolis, IN / Marion, IN (NOTE: This position is based at IWU’s North Indianapolis location four days per week and remote one day per week, with required travel to the Marion campus one day every two weeks.)

Summary of Position:    The Strategic Marketing Manager will lead the IWU Online marketing team (N&G) and oversee all N&G-related marketing projects and requests. This role is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategy that supports institutional goals and drives N&G’s visibility, engagement, and enrollment. In addition to ensuring strong project management discipline, including managing timelines, key milestones, and stakeholder communications, the manager serves as the essential conduit between the marketing team and N&G. This position participates in N&G’s Chancellor’s Collective to stay informed of unit developments and align marketing efforts strategically. The position reports to the Executive Director of Brand and Creative and maintains a structured meeting cadence with both the N&G Chancellor and the Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Primary
  • Lead all N&G-related marketing projects including overseeing project scope, timelines, deliverables, and critical milestones
  • Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies for N&G that align with IWU’s broader institutional objectives
  • Coordinate closely with internal marketing team members, external vendors, and partner agencies to ensure smooth delivery of campaigns by tracking progress and preemptively identifying and addressing delays
  • Manage stakeholder communications, serving as the central point of contact for N&G personnel, and proactively inform leadership of status changes or delays
  • Attend the Chancellor’s Collective meetings to monitor developments within N&G and translate insights into marketing strategy and project planning
  • Prepare and maintain project documentation, such as timelines, action sheets, and status reports, to ensure visibility and accountability
  • Foster a regular meeting cadence with the N&G Chancellor and the SVP for Enrollment and Partnerships to align on strategy, updates, and joint priorities
• Secondary
  • Collaborate with creative, digital, and communications teams to proactively develop promotional materials including print, digital ads, institutional publications, and email templates that align with strategic objectives
  • Apply data and analytics to track campaign performance, generate insights, and inform future strategy
  • Assist with budget oversight and vendor coordination related to N&G projects and initiatives
  • Step in to support other marketing or institutional priorities as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative spirit
  • Collaborate regularly with all other IWU Marketing teams and employees 
• Supervisory Responsibility This position will supervise all four marketing employees on the IWU Online marketing team

Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field required
• Advanced degree preferred

Experience

• Five or more (5+) years of experience in strategic marketing, project managements, or higher education marketing, especially in online or enrollment-related contexts

Required Skills

• Demonstrated success in leading multi-stakeholder marketing initiatives, managing timelines, and handling complex requests
• Strong 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 preferred
• Excellent organizational abilities with a keen eye for detail, deadlines, and deliverable quality
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment, and adapt as institutional needs evolve
• Understanding of higher education marketing, especially recruitment and enrollment dynamics, and IWU’s mission and values highly value