Director of Marketing

Universal Family of Companies | Johnson City, TN (this is NOT a remote position)

About the Opportunity

The Universal Family of Companies is seeking an experienced Director of Marketing to lead our marketing department and oversee marketing initiatives across our diverse family of businesses. Candidates with marketing experience in the multifamily housing industry are strongly preferred.

We are looking for a strategic, results-driven leader who knows how to manage people, prioritize projects, and get things done. The ideal candidate can see the big picture, delegate effectively, establish clear expectations, and ensure the team consistently meets deadlines and delivers quality work.

This is a leadership position that requires the ability to balance strategic direction with operational oversight. Success in this role means developing a strong team, managing competing priorities, and ensuring marketing initiatives move from planning to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, coach, and develop the marketing team. Delegate responsibilities effectively, establish performance expectations, and hold team members accountable for results.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Develop and implement marketing strategies that support business objectives across the Universal Family of Companies.
• Project & Deadline Management: Establish priorities, oversee multiple projects, monitor progress, and ensure deliverables are completed on time and to established quality standards.
• Department Oversight: Manage the overall marketing function, balancing team workloads, allocating resources, and ensuring efficient department operations.
• Budget & Performance Management: Develop and manage marketing budgets, monitor expenses, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and measure return on investment.
• Brand & Marketing Management: Provide strategic direction for branding, advertising, websites, social media, promotional materials, and digital marketing initiatives.
• Multifamily Marketing: Oversee marketing strategies that support apartment leasing, resident retention, property visibility, and occupancy goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with executive leadership and other departments to understand business needs, establish priorities, and deliver marketing solutions.
• Events & Promotions: Oversee the planning and execution of company-wide events, regional activities, and promotional campaigns.

Qualifications

• Multifamily housing, apartment marketing, or property management marketing experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in marketing, brand management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success managing a team, delegating responsibilities, and consistently meeting project deadlines.
• Proven ability to balance strategic planning and operational oversight without becoming consumed by day-to‑day tasks.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects, competing deadlines, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including budget management, performance reporting, and ROI evaluation.
• Knowledge of digital marketing, social media, website management, and traditional advertising.
• Excellent communication, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field, or equivalent education and professional experience.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be someone who:

• Leads through delegation, coaching, and accountability rather than personally managing every detail.
• Establishes clear priorities and keeps the department focused on the most important objectives.
• Anticipates obstacles, addresses issues proactively, and keeps projects moving forward.
• Develops a team that can work independently while consistently producing quality deliverables.
• Communicates progress, manages expectations, and follows through on commitments.
• Balances creativity and innovation with organization, efficiency, and measurable results.

We're looking for a leader who can turn marketing strategy into action, develop a capable team, and deliver results. If you have a proven track record of leading people, managing priorities, and getting projects across the finish line, we'd like to hear from you.