The Digital Marketing Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing paid digital marketing strategies to help reach the student enrollment and retention goals of Fort Hays State University (FHSU). Creates strategies to produce landing pages and other paid digital marketing, such as search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing, which is consistent with the university's brand, and promotes its mission, goals, and objectives. Works with the university’s Assistant Director of Marketing (Digital Strategy) to ensure digital strategies align with FHSU’s strategic enrollment growth and student retention goals. Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines. The candidate must also possess strong verbal and written skills and good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness. Effective when working independently and with a team.
Minimum Qualifications
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field received by the date of job appointment. Must have at least one year of related professional experience with paid digital marketing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong background in paid and organic digital marketing strategy
- Experience with inbound, outbound, social media, and content marketing
- Experience with multiple digital advertising platforms and account administration
- Experience with Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
- Experience with marketing for higher education institutions
- Experience with Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM) and/or Digital Experience Platforms (DXP)
- 3+ years of related experience
- Industry-related certifications
- Ability to analyze and articulate data
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and/or related applications
Responsibilities
- Oversee FHSU’s paid digital marketing, including inbound and outbound efforts to help reach student enrollment and retention goals.
- Collaborate with Creative Services to ensure consistency with design and branding standards.
- Develop and implement short- and long-term strategies for paid marketing.
- Create and edit digital marketing content that is appropriate for prospective students and other target personas.
- Create graphics, photography, and video for use on paid digital marketing platforms.
- Serve as the paid digital marketing subject matter expert within University Marketing and throughout the university, providing guidance and assistance for university departments and groups.
- Consult and collaborate with representatives from university departments and groups to help identify and meet their needs and goals.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure content is accurate, up to date, and communicates effectively with the intended audience.
- Create internal and external training materials and documentation.
- Provide training, support, assistance, and manage user access digital marketing platforms and related tools.
- Ensure compliance with related regulatory requirements and legal standards.
- Analyze and research web traffic, behavior, and digital marketing trends, creating recommendations to enhance efforts, engage FHSU audiences, maximize reach and student conversion rates.
- Manage the assigned budget and report on results of paid digital marketing efforts.
- Develop effective working relationships with key university stakeholders.
- Participate on relevant committees and groups across campus.
- Manage intake of requests and projects, ensuring timely and satisfactory completion.
- Assist with strategic marketing and digital marketing budget planning.
- Collect, analyze, and communicate related performance data to stakeholders.
- Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
- Assist with all digital marketing initiatives.
Appointment Date: Start date to be determined after acceptance of an offer and completion of criminal background check.
Application Deadline: Screening of applications will begin February 25, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.
Required Application Documents:
- Cover letter that addresses the candidate’s skills and qualifications for this position, no more than two pages in length.
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three professional references.
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Name: Kristin Herl, Director of University Marketing
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
