Marketing Director

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Job Profile:

Job Duties:

The Marketing Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for marketing efforts supporting online degree programs and related initiatives within the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources (OPLR).

This role is responsible for developing and executing integrated, data-informed marketing strategies that drive prospective student awareness, engagement, and lead generation across a diverse portfolio of online programs (UW Online Collaboratives, UW Flexible Option, and Independent Learning). In addition, this role provides strategic guidance and coordination for system-level marketing efforts supporting Wisconsin Online (online.wisconsin.edu). The primary audience for these efforts includes adult and professional learners seeking flexible, online pathways to advance their education and careers.

OPLR marketing efforts focus on the stages leading to application, with prospective students transitioning to recruitment and campus partners for continued engagement and admissions processes.

The Marketing Director leads a multi-functional team spanning product marketing, digital marketing, content strategy, creative design, and web development. This position sets direction and aligns efforts across the team, ensuring coordination across program-level strategies, marketing channels, and institutional priorities.

Success in this role also requires strong coordination with the OPLR Director of Recruitment, Program Management and campus stakeholders to support a seamless prospective student experience across this transition.

This role requires the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, guiding marketing direction within a complex, multi-institutional environment.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead marketing strategies that drive prospective online student awareness, engagement, and lead generation across a portfolio of online programs
• Oversee program-level marketing efforts ensuring alignment between individual program strategies and broader portfolio priorities
• Contribute to market research and analysis to inform program development, assess ongoing program performance and market relevance, and guide audience targeting and marketing strategy, including identification of emerging trends and growth opportunities
• Guide the development and execution of digital marketing and web strategies, including paid media, organic search, content development, and user experience optimization
• Lead marketing efforts that support recruitment by generating qualified leads and developing content and digital experiences that prepare prospective students for engagement with recruitment staff
• Partner closely with the Director of Recruitment, Program Management and campus stakeholders to align messaging, timing, and handoff processes between marketing, recruitment outreach, and admissions
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to lead generation, lead quality, and conversion to application; use data and analytics to inform strategy and continuous improvement
• Provide strategic guidance and coordination for Wisconsin Online marketing efforts in partnership with external agency partners and campus stakeholders
• Lead and manage a team of experienced marketing professionals, setting direction, aligning priorities, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment Manage marketing-related budgets, vendor relationships, and operational processes to ensure effective use of resources and alignment with institutional policies
  

Department:

The Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources (OPLR) is committed to providing service and support to the Universities of Wisconsin Administration and all 13 UW universities in online and continuing education, teaching, learning, and workforce skills training and resources.

OPLR works in partnership with all 13 UW universities to develop and deliver online semester- and competency-based degrees and a broad array of credit and non-credit certificates, courses, and other credentials to help adult and professional learners achieve their academic and professional development goals and to develop the workforce of Wisconsin.

Compensation:

The Marketing Director is a full-time, limited, exempt position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $105,000 - 125,000 , commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Work Location:

The office location is located at 780 Regent Street, Madison, WI . An in-office requirement is expected two days per week during the initial training period, after which in-office expectations may be evaluated. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

• 5 years of progressive marketing experience, including experience leading initiatives, projects, or teams

• Demonstrated experience leading professional staff and coordinating cross-functional teams, including setting direction, aligning priorities, and driving results through others

• Experience coordinating work across multiple marketing functions (e.g., digital, content, web, analytics)

• Experience with digital marketing technologies, including CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), marketing automation platforms, and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

• 8 years of experience with increasing responsibility in marketing strategy and team leadership

• Experience in higher education, particularly online or adult-focused programs

• Experience working within a decentralized or shared services environment

• Experience leading portfolio-based or program-level marketing strategies

• Familiarity with evolving digital marketing practices, including changes in search behavior and AI-influenced discovery

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform strategy and decision-making

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders

• Understanding of marketing strategies that support adult learners and non-traditional student populations

How to Apply:

To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through 11:59 pm, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 . However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

Contact Information:

Questions may be addressed to: Shelby Buchanan, HR Manager: Shelby.Buchanan@wisconsin.edu .

Accommodation Request

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting uwshr@wisconsin.edu .

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with the Universities of Wisconsin, your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.

Employment Authorization

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on, before, or after the effective date of appointment.

Confidentiality

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7) .

Benefits Information

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees or University Staff Please see this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to provide you with total compensation information.

Clery Act information

The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report. For more information on university campus statistics see https://www.wisconsin.edu/compliance/clery/ .

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.