Marketing & Communication Specialist (HR Title: Digital Marketing Specialist I)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Marketing & Communications Specialist for the Office of Undergraduate Admission is responsible for developing and managing communications that promote student/family engagement, drive event registrations, and support enrollment initiatives and objectives across print and digital channels including content creation for email, landing pages, and social media. This position requires strong writing, digital marketing, and project management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Essential Functions:

• Help oversee the creation and accuracy of all printed admissions materials, including brochures, postcards, and gatefolds.

• Create and manage email campaigns/targeted emails as well as landing pages and other digital pieces designed to engage prospective students and generate new contacts.

• Maintain a messaging calendar, manage audience segmentation, and use CRM automations to deliver timely and relevant communications, particularly in Slate Deliver, ensuring the efforts of recruitment and events teams are supported.

• Implement a social media content strategy that supports recruitment initiatives, showcases student life/academic offerings, as well as increases our page visibility.

• Create content for the admission office as well as make regular updates which includes copy, design, photography, and video for social media, email, landing pages, and any other assets for use in enrollment campaigns.

• Provide support and brand consistency to the efforts of the events team as they develop form registrations, event-specific communications, and presentation materials.

• Update and maintain admission web pages/application portals to ensure accuracy, clarity, and user experience improvements as well as monitor and enhance SMU’s presence on college search engines through regular audits, applying SEO best practices to digital content when applicable.

• Assist in coordinating and managing student ambassadors for social media initiatives and other prospective student outreach.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience is required. Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of social media platforms and strategy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must possess strong organizational and project management skills to effectively prioritize and achieve deadlines on multiple projects. Must also be a self-starter with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively within a team environment. A strong focus on attention to detail and accuracy is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.

MS Office ((Word, Excel and Outlook) knowledge is required. Work experience with Slate, HTML and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) is desired. Slate, CRM and Asana experience is strongly preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Open until filled

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by October 14, 2025.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.