Digital Marketing Strategist

Job Summary:

The Digital Marketing Strategist plays a key role in driving Hawai‘i Pacific University’s digital marketing performance through data-driven strategy, technical expertise, and compelling content. This position is responsible for optimizing HPU’s online presence via search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) campaign management, performance tracking, and website content development. The strategist will partner closely with IT, external vendors, and the internal marketing team to improve lead generation, support student recruitment, and strengthen HPU’s digital ecosystem.

This individual contributor role requires strong technical skills, analytical thinking, and an understanding of the customer journey to implement strategies that elevate the university’s digital footprint.

Compensation:
$48,000 - $56,000 per year
Commensurate with skills and experience.
This is a full-time, exempt, on-site position, located in downtown Honolulu (Harbor Court).

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, new media, or related field.
• 5-7 years of digital marketing experience, including paid campaign execution, SEO, and analytics.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Google Ads, Meta Ads, GA4, and Google Tag Manager.
• Proficiency with SEO tools such as Moz, SEMrush, or Ahrefs.
• Experience working within CMS platforms.
• Familiarity with HTML/CSS and web content troubleshooting.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business, business analytics, marketing, or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience writing for web and digital audiences.
• Experience setting up and optimizing PPC conversion funnels, including audience targeting and remarketing.
• Experience building and managing email templates within Constant Contact or a similar platform.
• Understanding of higher education marketing and student recruitment.
• Basic graphic or UX/UI design knowledge a plus.

Other Qualifications:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance is not available for this position.
• Report to work obligations to support the department and may require work during HPU’s winter break, if necessary.
• This position may be considered an essential position with report to work obligations depending on the type of emergency, campus closure, or evacuation.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support campaign launches, major initiatives, or “all hands” projects/events.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• Upon hire, candidate must have reliable personal transportation to facilitate travel between all HPU worksites and other locations as required by the position. This includes a valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle that is legally registered and insured.
• Able to work all shifts and extended hours.
• Successful candidate will be able to work in an environment that utilize excellent time and stress management skills.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions:

1. Digital Strategy and Execution (40%)

• Plan, execute, and optimize paid digital advertising campaigns across Google Ads, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and other relevant platforms.
• Set up and maintain robust conversion tracking for all marketing campaigns; troubleshoot issues and partner with IT as needed.
• Lead ongoing SEO strategy, implementation, and reporting to increase organic visibility and traffic.
• Collaborate with web developers and IT to maintain web structure integrity and implement SEO/PPC best practices.
• Own analytics dashboards and reporting using Google Analytics, GA4, Google Tag Manager, and other platforms as needed.

2. Website and Content Management (35%)

• Author and update marketing-focused website content, landing pages, and lead-generation forms aligned with campaign goals and SEO best practices.
• Partner with academic and administrative units to ensure program and departmental content is accurate, effective, and aligned with brand standards.
• Ensure that marketing-related aspects of the website are fresh, engaging, and up to date.
• Monitor and report on site analytics, providing actionable insights for improving the user experience and advancing university goals.

3. Cross-functional Collaboration and Vendor Management (20%)

• Serve as the primary liaison with IT and external vendors for digital marketing tools and platforms.
• Evaluate and implement digital marketing recommendations from agency partners and consultants.
• Provide digital support for university-wide initiatives, campaign launches, and special projects.
• Participate in university brand initiatives including digital campaign ideation and integrated marketing efforts.
• Support buildouts of email marketing templates and pushes.
• Contribute content ideas for digital ads, campaigns, and social integration as needed.

4. Performs other related duties as assigned (5%)

• Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments.
• Assists with seasonal peaks.

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

Hawaii Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class covered by state and federal law. Hawaii Pacific University encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.