Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications Strategic Operations

The Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Strategic Operations serves as a senior strategic advisor to the Director of Marketing and Communications on the design, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of the College of Science and Engineering’s marketing and communications operating model. This position provides strategic leadership for operational planning, stakeholder engagement, resource management, governance, and organizational effectiveness across one of the University’s largest and most decentralized marketing and communications ecosystems. The Assistant Director develops and implements both short- and long-term operational and communications strategies that advance the college’s priorities related to research visibility, reputation, student recruitment, advancement, and organizational excellence. The position exercises significant independent judgment in recommending operational, governance, and communications strategies that influence college-wide priorities, service delivery, and organizational performance while serving as a principal advisor to leadership on marketing and communications operations.
Location and Work Environment
Location: Twin Cities Campus, University of Minnesota
Work Environment: Hybrid
Expected Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Minimum of three days per week in the office – Monday and Wednesday expected as on-campus collaboration days
• Up to two days per week remote, consistent with department and University policies
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support campaign launches, reporting deadlines, college initiatives, or time-sensitive matters

Job Duties

• 35% Lead Strategic Operations, Intake, and Workflow Management
  • Design, implement, and continuously improve the CSE’s marketing and communications operating model, including enterprise intake, workflow, prioritization, and resource allocation systems.
  • Advise the Director and college leadership on operational priorities, resource allocation, organizational risks, capacity planning, and opportunities to improve the effectiveness of marketing and communications across the college.
  • Develop strategic operational solutions for department heads, center directors, and senior administrators to address communications challenges and organizational needs.
  • Evaluate project requests, establish enterprise priorities, allocate resources, and oversee project pipelines to ensure effective service delivery across a highly decentralized organization.
  • Establish and oversee governance, operational standards, service-level expectations, and workflow frameworks that guide marketing and communications activities across the college.

  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives that address operational bottlenecks, workload imbalances, and process inefficiencies while improving organizational effectiveness and service quality.

  • Develop operational reporting frameworks and performance measures that provide leadership with actionable insights into workload, organizational capacity, and operational effectiveness.
• 30% Build and Support the CSE Communications Ecosystem
  • Serve as the college’s principal strategic liaison for the decentralized marketing and communications network, representing the Director on operational priorities, governance, service delivery, and organizational alignment.
  • Provide strategic marketing and communications guidance to communicators, department leadership, administrators, and stakeholders regarding organizational priorities, communications operations, governance, and implementation of major initiatives.
  • Foster collaboration and strengthen relationships between the central Marketing and Communications team, decentralized units, University Marketing & Communications, Advancement, Student Services, and other strategic partners.
  • Develop college-wide tools, templates, training resources, governance documentation, and self-service materials that enable consistent, effective, and brand-aligned communications across the college.
  • Identify emerging needs, evaluate organizational challenges, and recommend improvements that strengthen communication effectiveness and service delivery.
  • Lead the CSE Marketing and Communications community, creating forums that improve collaboration, strategic planning, information sharing, and organizational alignment.
  • Promote and ensure adoption of University and college branding, communications, accessibility, and operational standards across the college.
• 15% Lead Strategic Initiatives and Organizational Effectiveness
  • Provide strategic leadership for complex, enterprise-level marketing and communications initiatives involving CSE departments, University Marketing & Communications, Advancement, Student Services, and other internal and external partners.
  • Develop and implement short- and long-term operational and communications strategies that advance college priorities and improve organizational effectiveness.
  • Advise the Director and college leadership on governance models, communications strategies, organizational priorities, staffing approaches, operational risks, and resource investments.
  • Lead organizational change initiatives and recommend improvements to processes, technology, governance, and service delivery that strengthen the college’s communications ecosystem.
  • Provide strategic consultation and operational leadership for sensitive, high-profile, and complex marketing and communications initiatives requiring coordination across multiple organizational units and leadership groups.
  • Oversee cross-functional initiatives to ensure alignment with strategic objectives, institutional priorities, accessibility standards, brand guidelines, and organizational goals.
  • Evaluate organizational performance using operational metrics, stakeholder feedback, and data analysis to identify trends, recommend improvements, and guide future planning.
  • Assess emerging organizational needs and recommend future staffing, technology, operational capabilities, and service models that support the evolving priorities of the college.
  • Identify enterprise risks, resolve complex operational issues, and facilitate executive-level communication among stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
• 15% Oversee Student Employment Programs and Team Operations
  • Develop and oversee the college’s student employment strategy for Marketing and Communications, including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, supervision, professional development, and program assessment.
  • Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate student employees supporting Marketing and Communications operations.
  • Manage student staffing allocations, labor budgets, scheduling, and project assignments to maximize operational effectiveness and support departmental priorities.
  • Match student talent and capacity with organizational needs while creating meaningful professional development opportunities.
  • Provide project management support, coaching, and operational guidance to Marketing and Communications staff to strengthen workflow coordination, organizational effectiveness, and cross-functional collaboration.
• 5% Support Professional Development and Department Initiatives
  • Represent CSE on University committees, working groups, professional organizations, and strategic initiatives as assigned.
  • Maintain knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in higher education marketing, communications operations, project management, organizational effectiveness, and digital engagement.
  • Participate in professional development activities that strengthen leadership, organizational strategy, and operational effectiveness.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, communications, project management, operations, or a related field. An equivalent combination of advanced education and experience may be considered.
• Two (2) years of experience managing complex project workflows, intake systems, project management, or operational processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Experience leading teams, supervising staff or student employees, or coordinating cross-functional initiatives and project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and projects within a complex organizational environment.
• Experience using enterprise systems, project management platforms, and workflow tools such as Salesforce, Drupal, Workday, Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, Jira, or similar technologies.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience working within a large, decentralized higher education institution, preferably supporting STEM-related academic, research, or administrative units.
• Familiarity with University of Minnesota brand standards, communications practices, and enterprise systems.
• Experience developing workforce programs, internships, student employment initiatives, or other operational programs that support organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements, operational efficiencies, and organizational change initiatives.

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is ranked among the top engineering and science academic programs in the country. The college includes 12 academic departments offering a wide range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. For more information about the College of Science and Engineering Office of the Dean, visit https://cse.umn.edu/.

Pay Range: $105,815.20 per year – $125,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online Application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 17th.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.