Marketing and Communications Manager - Graduate Admissions

The Marketing and Communications Manager for Graduate Admissions develops, executes, evaluates, and continuously optimizes strategic multi-channel communication plans designed to drive prospective student recruitment and enrollment across all university graduate programs. Reporting to the Executive Director for Graduate Enrollment, this role oversees targeted email marketing, SMS/texting campaigns, event communications, and supplementary print material as needed. This position partners closely with academic program directors, staff, and University Marketing to produce compelling, brand-aligned copy and content that converts prospective students across the enrollment funnel.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Strategic Content Development & Campaign Execution
   • Develop and execute strategic, data-informed communication plans targeting diverse prospective graduate student personas using engaging, high-converting written and visual content.
   • Steward and refine established program-specific messaging through ongoing curation, audits, and data-informed updates to sustain relevance and performance.
   • Deploy and monitor advanced email and SMS campaigns supporting recruitment and yield objectives across all university graduate programs within broader enrollment management goals.
   • Maintain alignment with Lipscomb University Brand Guidelines, ensuring all recruitment communications consistently reflect institutional voice, visual standards, and messaging.
2. CRM Administration & Technical Operations (Slate)
   • This position will function in close partnership with the Director of Graduate Admissions Systems.
   • Serve as the primary communications administrator for the Slate CRM, managing day-to-day operations, use and configuration of communications.
   • Leverage advanced Slate functionality—including Slate Deliver, dynamic content, snippets, custom forms, liquid markup, and automated communication flows—to maximize personalization and engagement.
   • Build, audit, and manage Slate queries and population filters to ensure precise audience segmentation, message accuracy, and data integrity prior to distribution.
   • Establish and execute long-term strategic roadmaps for CRM communication workflows, staying current with Slate feature releases, platform updates, and industry best practices.
3. Analytics, Reporting & Performance Optimization
   • Performance Measurement: Design and maintain analytics dashboards and tracking reports to evaluate the efficacy of enrollment marketing and communication initiatives against established matriculation goals.
   • Testing & Deliverability: Implement structured A/B testing methodologies (subject lines, messaging cadence, calls-to-action) and monitor critical email performance KPIs, including inbox placement, bounce rates, open rates, and click-through rates.
   • Strategic Insights: Translate communication metrics into actionable insights to inform future recruitment strategy and support leadership in data-driven enrollment planning.
4. Stakeholder Collaboration, Training
   • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with graduate academic program faculty and admissions counselors to support program-specific communication needs and graduate event workflows within Slate.
   • Training & Enablement: Create standard operating procedures (SOPs), documentation, and training assets; conduct training sessions for admissions staff and departmental liaisons on communication tools and best practices.
5. Additional Departmental Support
   • Maintain working knowledge and understanding of Graduate Admissions policies, standards, and admissions operational workflows.
   • Support high-priority enrollment initiatives and team deliverables, including ad-hoc student notifications, non-campaign email and text communications, and additional Slate tool configuration as required.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: 3–5 years of directly related experience in marketing communications, content creation, digital campaign management, or enrollment marketing.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience administering communication flows within an admissions CRM (preferred).
• Excellent copywriting, editing and proofreading skills
• Proven track record of managing competing priorities independently while fostering collaborative relationships across academic and administrative stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to Lipscomb University’s Christian mission, values, and community standards.