Job Details
Job Location
New Gloucester - New Gloucester, ME
Position Type
Enterprise - Staff
Travel Percentage
Up to 25%
Description
About Unity:
At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance Education, Sustainable Ventures, and In-Person Education). We prioritize our students' needs above all else, offering a variety of modalities, including in-person, and online. Our innovative and inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.
Our Mission:
We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward sustainable ecosystems.
The Opportunity:
The Director of Brand Strategy and Marketing has responsibility for implementing effective internal and external strategies to enhance the Institution’s brand recognition and reputation regionally, nationally, and internationally. This individual must be highly motivated and self-directed to direct the daily operations of a comprehensive marketing and communications office, including the areas of advertising, institutional publication development, graphic arts, social media, e-communications, the web and management of internal events, such as commencements and convocations. The position also has a core focus on web services and manages, maintains, and coordinates all technical and information needs of the Institution on the website. The Director of Brand Strategy and Marketing develops content and design to fill these needs and ensures timely posting of content while pursuing continuous improvement of the school’s internet marketing strategies.
The Responsibilities:
- Develop, write, and implement a strategic integrated annual marketing plan that utilizes both traditional and non-traditional media to achieve maximum results related to the Institution’s goals.
- Coordinate market research related to increased awareness of the Institution in targeted geographic areas.
- Coordinate all marketing and communication efforts across campus to increase institutional positioning, brand awareness, and internal and external messaging.
- Establish and manage an effective and efficient marketing department and process.
- Oversee the management of all print and electronic communications.
- Develop, manage and maintain all functional aspects of the Institution website, including information architecture, design, navigation and search.
- Perform quality assurance, acceptance, and usability testing of new web designs.
- Perform analytical information gathering including technical website analysis, competitive / key word research, link analysis, landing page optimization, and other conversion strategies.
- Develop and implement online advertising campaigns, including the monitoring, review and reporting of campaign analytics.
- Think creatively to produce new ideas and design concept working with a wide range of media, including photography, video, audio, graphical effects, etc.
- Assist in the planning, management and execution of electronic communications projects and strategies, with heavy emphasis on a strategically focused website enhanced with related technologies including social media, blogs, email, text messaging, etc.
- Responsible for editing, proofreading, writing Institution-wide publications, and oversight of their production including coordinating photography, design & printing. Projects include magazines, brochures, newsletters, etc.
- Places the Institution’s departmental/unit advertising.
- Develops communication messages for targeted audiences within the Institution, and provides creative direction for various communication vehicles (print, web, media, advertising, etc.)
- Monitors use of brand and graphic standards.
- Recruit, train, motivate and direct Marketing staff, works within defined budget parameters while assisting in the annual budgeting and planning process.
- Identifies information needs on the web and develops content to fill these needs, ensures timely posting of content, and pursues continuous improvement of the school’s electronic communication strategies.
- Assists in planning electronic communications projects, with heaving emphasis on a strategically focused website.
- Manages all website projects, including the daily content updates and long-term upgrades.
- Design and launch new web templates and pages. Edits original content and works with the Institution community to determine appropriate content updates.
- Identify and implement innovative Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies to optimize site content for maximum visibility and ranking in the major search engines, including HTML, site structure, page layout and navigation consideration.
- Maintain high standards of consistency, accuracy, and appropriateness of content on the site.
- Work closely with content-authors to organize and develop web-appropriate content.
- Review, proofread, copyedit, and rewrite content for consistency and style.
- Stay current on the web’s latest technologies to identify practices and strategies to enhance our online presence and to make sure the site is both mobile-friendly and multi-platform ready.
- Pro-actively communicate challenges, successes, and failures with leadership.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred, with 5-7+ years of experience in marketing/brand management and demonstrated leadership.
- Proven success in re-establishing and re-positioning brands.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to implement both short-term and long-term plans.
- Strong grasp of all marketing disciplines and experience in creating integrated platforms and programs.
- Experience in developing and managing the marketing infrastructure, including human resources and external resources (consultants/agencies).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Expertise in "new media" and emerging market analysis.
- Collaborative approach with internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficient in PHP, HTML, CSS, AJAX/JavaScript, ASP, .NET, MySQL, Linux, and content management systems like Drupal and WordPress.
- Familiarity with government website accessibility mandates (Section 508, ADA).
- Skilled in Adobe tools like Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.
- Experience in organic SEO and web-based communication standards.
- Attention to detail, flexibility, and adaptability.
- Self-starter able to handle multiple projects efficiently to meet deadlines.
- Understanding of higher education structures, policies, and governance.
- Sensitivity to diversity and ability to interact with a variety of constituents.
- Strong advocacy for institutional mission.
- Proficient with office software and project management practices.
- Strong data analysis, resource management, and budgeting skills.
- Creative problem-solving, sound judgment, and strategic thinking.
- Ability to work effectively in a matrix organizational structure with discretion, confidence, and poise.
Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges. Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the individual we're searching for!
Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine
Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education, The Technical School for Environmental Professions, and the School of Environmental Business & Sustainable Ventures are based at the Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the country.
Work Schedule:
Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, weekends. Working extended hours may be required as needed and Unity Environmental University employees must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling their responsibilities while meeting the College’s needs.
Although At Unity Environmental University Enterprise employees are generally scheduled to work at their base location, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any At Unity Environmental University location.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping, and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.
Company Perks:
Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:
- Paid holidays off
- 4 weeks of PTO
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Short- and Long-term disability
- Life Insurance
- Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
- Relocation Assistance