Director of Marketing & Strategy (CAS)

Overview

The Director of Marketing leads the College of Arts and Sciences central marketing and communications function, building a modern, data-informed operation that serves the College's strategic priorities. This role oversees the core pillars of brand management, web and digital experience, content development, social media, email and newsletters, and internal communications, ensuring they work together as a coherent, high-performing program. The Director will coordinate efforts across departments and institutes, set standards and processes, and manage a small in-house team and external partners so that the College presents a clear, consistent, and compelling presence to all of its audiences.

Who We Are

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida is a diverse, research active community of scholars, teachers, creators, and learners who believe that ideas should live both in the classroom and in the world. We bring together the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to tackle real problems through learning that involves doing, including fieldwork on Florida’s coast, work in laboratories, data focused projects, and storytelling across digital and traditional media. Our faculty are nationally recognized researchers and dedicated mentors who open doors to significant opportunities such as undergraduate research, internships, fellowships, and global experiences. We are especially proud of our vibrant humanities and social sciences, where students connect big questions to real careers through funded experiential learning and projects that engage the community. Rooted in Tampa Bay and connected to global conversations, we see our campus as a living laboratory for studying the environment, society, culture, and technology, and we invite colleagues who share this spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation focused on students to join us.

Why this role matters

The Director is the College’s lead storyteller and strategist, responsible for elevating our national and international reputation by translating strategy into execution across every channel. They will design and run an integrated plan that showcases our award-winning faculty, students, alumni, programs, departments, and institutes then operationalize it through the website, digital content, social media, email, print, and internal communications.

Strategic Direction & Decision Making

Brand & Narrative

• Define the College’s brand position and key messages; ensure consistency across all touchpoints and audiences.
• Serves as the College’s authoritative lead for all internal, external, and digital communications, with responsibility for strategy, standards, messaging alignment, and final approval across channels to ensure clarity, consistency, and brand integrity.

Content & Storytelling (Print + Digital)

• Own the editorial calendar and produce original content: feature stories, faculty/student spotlights, impact pieces, speeches, presentations, and web copy.
• Package stories for multiple formats (articles, video, graphics) and adapt for channels to maximize reach and engagement.

Email & Newsletters (Internal + External)

• Develop segmented newsletter programs for prospective students, alumni, partners, and internal audiences.
Set goals, run A/B tests, and iterate based on deliverability and engagement metrics.

Digital Performance, Analytics, and User Experience

Website (Strategy User Experience, Content, & Performance)

• Set the vision for the College’s web presence, including information architecture, UX, accessibility, and Search Engine Optimization.
• Oversee site governance, content lifecycles, landing pages for priority initiatives, and analytics-driven optimization.

Social Media (Thought Leadership & Community)

• Build a platform-specific social strategy; publish engaging posts and campaigns that amplify research, events, and achievements.
• Monitor trends, manage community interactions, and use analytics to refine voice and cadence.

Measurement & Optimization

Cross-Unit Collaboration & Insights

• Coordinate College-wide updates, talking points, and leadership communications that align units around shared priorities.
• Shares user behavior insights with enrollment, academic leadership, and other campus partners to support decision-making and outreach efforts. Aligns digital priorities with institutional goals by coordinating with communications, marketing, and technology partners.
• Develop Cross-College & University Partnerships
• Work closely with faculty; academic departments and Sponsored Research, Institutes and Centers; Development; Alumni Relations; Innovative Education; and other areas across the Campus.
• Collaborate with central University partners to align strategies, share content, and coordinate major initiatives.

Advisory & Enablement

Leadership & Employee Relations

• Leads a lean in‑house team: Digital Content Strategist (web UX/accessibility), Digital Story Telling Producer (editorial/media), Social & Community Manager (channels/ambassadors), Writers and other Personnel.
• Provides leadership and performance oversight for digital content and storytelling staff.
Evaluates team success based on outcomes (data related to usability, engagement, and clarity).

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in communication, public relations, technical writing, digital media, information technology, or related field, with two years of experience in related positions; or a Master’s degree in the fields listed above. Appropriate experience may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.