Director, Marketing and Creative Brand

Director, Marketing and Creative Brand

Tracking Code: req966

Faculty/Department: Communications and Marketing Department

Number of Positions:1

Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing,

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Salary Range:Level 11 - Annual Hiring Salary, , with annual step progression in accordance with the Salary Grid.

Posting Date:January 3, 2024

Closing Date: January 24, 2024

Job Summary:

As the Director of Marketing and Creative Brand, you will be a key leader within our communications and marketing team, responsible for shaping and executing the strategic direction of our creative and experiential brand. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Brand and Communications you will play a pivotal role in defining and implementing a cohesive and compelling creative brand and marketing strategy that aligns with the company’s mission, vision, values and strategic priorities to boldly tell the university’s story to partners, government and the community through its vibrant brand.

Your expertise in marketing and brand management, market analysis, creative direction, project management and events will be instrumental in driving brand awareness, familiarity, image and reputation contributing to Ontario Tech’s continued growth and success.

Responsibilities/accountabilities:

Marketing Campaigns and Initiatives:

• Lead the planning, development, and execution of Ontario Tech’s evergreen strategy and annual brand and advertising campaigns that effectively engage the target audience and drive brand awareness and familiarity.
• Run cross-functional and collaborative briefings, execution and measurement process across internal and external teams, crafting and leading effective strategies and integrated plans designed to meet designated objectives, strategies and KPIs.
• Deliver end-to-end campaign plans across marketing channels (digital, social, site, visual, events etc.) with cohesive, consistent brand appearance, voice and messaging.
• Utilize data and analytics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and make data-driven decisions.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging digital marketing technologies.
• Develops and monitors project management strategies and processes functions for the C&M team that support the overall priorities, marketing and communications strategies of the university. Advise on similar functions and processes for other departments to better operationalize their work (i.e., Student Life, Registrar’s Office, Advancement, Continuous Learning).

Community Collaboration and Engagement:

• Collaborate with the social media team on platform strategies to drive brand awareness and engagement through innovative and effective creative content campaigns.
• Collaborate with the recruitment team on the future student social platforms for recruitment campaigns that align with the master brand strategies.
• Work collaboratively with the marketing teams, cross functional teams to ensure planning integration.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including product managers, sales teams, and executives, to ensure brand alignment and support overall business objectives.
• Develop event marketing strategies to attract attendees and promote the university. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful event outcomes.
• Develops and monitors project management strategies and processes functions for the C&M team that support the overall priorities, marketing and communications strategies of the university.
• Advise on similar functions and processes for other departments to better operationalize their work (i.e., Student Life, Registrar’s Office, Advancement, Continuous Learning).

Brand Performance Metrics, Analysis, Market Research:

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of creative brand strategies and initiatives.
• Continuously analyze and report on brand performance, making data-driven recommendations for improvements
• Stay up-to-date on design, cultural trends and moments, conduct comprehensive market research to identify market trends, audience preferences, competitive landscape, and best practices in branding and marketing.
• Use data and insights to make informed decisions and adjust the marketing strategies and plans as needed.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Head brainstorming/strategy discussions to drive continual creative thinking.
• Lead and mentor a creative team of multi-media designers, marketers, project and event specialists and work-study students, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Set clear goals and expectations for the team and provide regular feedback and performance evaluations.
• Collaborates with 2 other C&M Director colleagues, as well as provides direct and indirect leadership to other members of the C&M team that are required to execute the marketing and creative projects required from senior leadership and the campus community (i.e., web and digital, social media and communications teams).

Financial and Policy Administration:

• Oversees the university’s official logos and trademarks, ensuring they are adequately protected while generating maximum exposure and benefit for the university. Responsible for educating the campus community and external stakeholders with respect to the importance of adhering to the master brand and logo guidelines in all they do.
• Monitors and interprets legislation, regulations and policies that have an impact on university marketing and communication collateral (e.g., EDIB, Indigenous Reconciliation, copyright, human resource and procurement policies).
• Collaborates in the development of new corporate policies, procedures and guidelines for branding (signage, space branding, events, posters, brand standards), web and digital media, advertising and recruitment.
• Develops multi-year budget plans and manage in-year budget for promotions, marketing materials, advertising, events and vendor contracts. Implementing marketing activity in line with the agreed budget and optimizing cost to benefit ratio.
• Ensures compliance with the university’s policies, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Required Skills:

• An amazing people leader with a demonstrated ability to develop, coach, create focus and clarity in your team, communicate on an ongoing basis to provide context.
• A passion for big ideas, and experience in creating world-class campaigns and audience experiences.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to develop comprehensive long-term strategies and tactical plans.
• A strategic orientation with strong ability to set objectives, analyze tactics, and calculate ROI.
• Creative problem solver able to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions that challenge the status quo.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and an ability to influence stakeholders.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment and able to thrive amidst ambiguity.
• Strong understanding of branding principles, consumer behavior and marketing dynamics.
• Analytical mindset, able to translate data into actionable insights.
• Ability to interact collaboratively at all levels within the organization.
• Skilled in development of annual plans and budgets and establishing contingency plans to achieve targets.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills to creatively meet targets.
• Project management expertise with critical-path mastery and ability to achieve results.
• Copywriting, use of digital media for revenue generation and brand management, quality control within a marketing team, best practices and technology for marketing and supporting enrolment management, and project management.
• Knowledge and understanding of Canadian and international legislation, ethical standards and policy documents relating to marketing, data collection, privacy, and accessibility.
• Web and marketing analytics including identifying and making comparisons to industry benchmarks and measurement.

Required Education:

Four-year undergraduate degree in marketing, business, advertising, communications, or equivalent. Certificate or diploma in marketing, digital marketing or analytics is an asset.

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• Verification of Academic credentials may be required

Required Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in branding, marketing, advertising, event and project management, marketing communications and public relations is required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in brand strategy, brand management, or related roles, with a track record of success in building and growing brands.
• 5+ years’ experience providing progressive leadership and management of creative staff and external vendors. Preference is given to management experience in a broader public sector, unionized environment.
• 10+ years of proven expertise in all aspects of marketing and brand strategy, campaign planning and creative development (equivalency will be considered).
• 10+ years experience planning complex marketing campaigns (including overall brand and/or product campaigns), consulting with internal ’clients,’ creating traditional and electronic collateral, copywriting for different media, managing events, and evaluating ROI of marketing initiatives.
• Ability to manage a significant budget, forecast and control expenditures effectively.
• Experience working with, reporting and optimizing CRM software (i.e., HubSpot), and marketing automation is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise with measurement, benchmarking, and ROI analysis. Best practices in qualitative and quantitative market research.
• Knowledge of the educational landscape and working within a university environment is an asset. Knowledge of the GTA market is an asset.
• 5+ years experience in understanding and utilizing software platforms to optimize user-experience, for search engine optimization, content marketing, managing paid online advertising campaigns, A-B testing, creating and managing micro-sites and landing pages, and a thorough understanding of web analytics.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until January 24, 2024 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous Peoples in Canada will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects people’s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy.

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location:Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date:2/5/2024