Assistant Dean for Marketing & Communications

posted 8 months ago

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About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80
countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community
service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students
through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering,
Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody
School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with
entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second
century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders
in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s
fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global
impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the
Department:

Perkins School of Theology is one of the 13 seminaries of The United Methodist Church and one of only five
university-related United Methodist theological schools, located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, with an extension program in
Houston/Galveston. The faculty and staff of Perkins are committed to our mission of equipping persons for faithful leadership and Christian
ministry in a changing church and society. Students study with a faculty, diverse both culturally and in theological perspective, in the
School’s graduate degree and certificate studies programs. Perkins is Wesleyan by tradition, United Methodist by affiliation, inclusive of
diverse Christian expressions, and welcoming of all. The oldest graduate professional School at Southern Methodist University, Perkins
embraces its setting in the Southwestern United States while seeking to make theological education accessible, through in-person, hybrid,
and distance learning, to students from the region, the nation, and around the world.

About the
Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Dean for Marketing and Communications promotes
Perkins School of Theology to its many constituencies, including prospective students, alumni, churches, religious leaders, faculty, staff,
students, and the public. The Assistant Dean for Marketing and Communications creatively directs and coordinates project management for all
advertisements, publications, e-communications, media relations, social media content, website, and event promotion. The Assistant Dean
oversees the production of print and electronic pieces including enrollment materials, publications, and event-related
collateral.

Essential Functions:

Marketing: Manage all marketing initiatives, including publications,
brochures, flyers, videos, etc. that effectively promote the story and impact of Perkins School of Theology. Collaborate with Offices of
Development, External Programs/Church, Community Life/Alumni, Sacred Music, Bridwell Library and others to develop a master marketing plan
that supports enrollment and event goals. Disseminate creative and effective segmented campaigns to target audiences to amplify degree
programs, certificates, and events and thereby generate leads and inquiries. Manage both print and digital advertising initiatives,
including interfacing with outside agencies to ensure consistent execution of keyword-based marketing campaigns. In collaboration with the
Office of Enrollment Management, ensure that marketing is supportive of enrollment efforts and responsive to seasonal needs in promoting
degree programs and admissions opportunities. Oversee the execution of creative and effective social media campaigns, managing the
development of all platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Create an annual social media plan reflective of
recruitment seasons, annual events, holidays, and observances, pre-building content as needed; oversee distribution via social media
management software.

Communications: Manage regular and special publications, creating written content and coordinating with faculty
and students to redesign publications to be used toward goals and align with the Perkins/SMU brand. Revitalize the monthly email newsletter
and increase email performance by highlighting faculty, events, fundraising opportunities, practical tips, and student/alumni voices.
Oversee the administration of Perkins website (design, branding, SEO, and approval) in conjunction with SMU OIT. Manage workflows to support
internal events, utilizing a network of vendors and contractors (video, photography, graphics, and print). Collaborate in the research and
development of innovative ways to utilize communications funnels to reach target audiences and improve digital recruitment experiences for
students.

Content Creation: Lead the effort to acquire stories that highlight the mission of Perkins School of Theology. Disseminate
stories to internal colleagues and external constituencies, building a bank of content to provide as features in marketing, anecdotes for
donors, and evidence of how the mission plays a vital role in the world. Attend key academic, enrollment, and fundraising events on the SMU
campus or other venues for live social media coverage and active content creation.

Administration: Manage direct reports,
freelancers, and corporate contracts related to this work. Oversee the SMU Perkins brand and serve as the Perkins ambassador for marketing
and brand best practices, educating colleagues to ensure consistency and quality across Perkins. Participate in key leadership meetings that
help set, articulate, and coordinate the vision of Perkins.

Media Relations: Write and disseminate press releases to the proper
channels. Approve all requests to film at Perkins in conjunction with the Office of Legal Affairs. Respond to requests from the various
internal SMU offices, including but not limited to the President’s Office, the Provost’s Office, Vice President for DEA, and AVP
of MarCom. Provide strategic council to the Dean and others Perkins leaders regarding speaking remarks, presentations, etc.

Other
duties: Consult on ancillary multimedia projects – additional web pages, social media accounts, podcasts, etc. – to ensure brand and mission
consistency. Perform all other appropriate duties as assigned.

Occasional evening/weekend hours may be
required.

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. A
degree in marketing, communications or related field is preferred.

A minimum of five years of marketing or communications experience
is required. Experience working in higher education is preferred. Experience overseeing projects and organizations, including staff
management and budget development is required. Experience collaborating with colleagues across reporting lines and serving on management
teams is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and
verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships
with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong
problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational,
planning and time management skills.

Candidate familiarity with Christian denominations is preferred.

Candidate ability to
be mission-oriented and work comfortably in a theological education is a must.

Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office
(Work, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and graphic and photo design programs (Adobe Creative Suite).

Candidate familiarity with Sitecore or
similar CMS platform, social network sites (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Sprout) and email marketing platforms (Hubspot, Salesforce) is
essential.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

Candidate must submit cover letter and resume for full consideration. Please also include any
links to your online portfolio, if available.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by July 19,
2024.

This position is open until filled.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of
health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of
wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research
institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout
your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU’s retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave
SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn’t just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of
professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.


SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

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