Marketing & Communications Director

Job Title: Marketing and Communications Director 

Department: Marketing and Communications 

Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and Communications 

Location: Belmont, California (Hybrid/On-Site) 

Salary: $100,000 - $130,000 per annum 

Position Overview:

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), a historic Catholic institution founded in 1851 and located in the heart of Silicon Valley, seeks a strategic, creative, and results-driven Marketing and Communications Director. This role is responsible for shaping and executing the university’s integrated marketing and communications strategy to elevate NDNU’s visibility, support enrollment and fundraising goals, and foster community and media engagement. The position will serve as a key advisor to university leadership, ensuring alignment of messaging with institutional priorities and mission, while managing brand consistency across all platforms. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Vice President to develop and implement a comprehensive, omnichannel marketing and communications strategy aligned with NDNU’s strategic goals. 

• Plan, manage, and evaluate integrated campaigns to support enrollment, alumni relations, and institutional advancement. 

• Serve as the university’s brand steward, ensuring consistency in voice, tone, and visual identity across all departments and communications channels. 

• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on communications, reputation management, and positioning. 

• Lead the development and execution of a robust social media strategy to engage key audiences. 

• Create and manage marketing content across platforms, including the website, email, digital advertising, SEO/SEM, and print collateral. 

• Highlight academic excellence, student success, faculty achievements, and community partnerships through compelling storytelling and multimedia content. 

• Collaborate closely with Enrollment Management, University Advancement, and Academic Deans/Program Directors on recruitment, retention, and alumni engagement initiatives. 

• Support media relations efforts, including drafting press releases, assisting with media inquiries, and act as back-up lead for crisis communications plan. 

• Cultivate relationships with local and regional media to increase NDNU’s presence and reputation. 

• Oversee external vendors, consultants, and creative partners to ensure quality and consistency. 

• Manage departmental budget, contracts, and performance analytics to ensure efficient and effective marketing execution. 

• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture within the Marketing and Communications team and across the institution. 

Qualifications:

• MBA in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field required. 

• 4–6 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications, preferably in higher education or the nonprofit sector. 

• Proven success in brand management, digital marketing, and media relations. 

• Outstanding written, verbal, and visual communication skills. 

• Strong leadership and project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities. 

• Proficiency with content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media tools, and performance analytics. 

• A strong commitment to the mission and values of NDNU as a Catholic, inclusive, nonprofit university. 

Application Procedures: 

NDNU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse student population. In your cover letter, please include information about your experiences in working in a diverse environment, and what qualities you would bring to supporting this commitment to inclusive excellence at NDNU.

EEOC Policy: 

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.