Associate Director of Partner Marketing

Associate Director of Partner Marketing

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. All applicants must be professing Christians and willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of Abilene Christian University while employed by the university.

The Associate Director of Partner Marketing leads ACU's business-to-business marketing strategy, driving partner engagement, pipeline growth and revenue across key areas including Corporate & Community Partnerships, sports and professional development initiatives. This role develops integrated marketing campaigns, collaborates closely with business development and academic leaders and manages a marketing team member to expand ACU's reach and impact among organizations, employers and professional audiences.

Basic Responsibilities

The Associate Director of Partner Marketing is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of ACU's business-to-business marketing initiatives. This role supports key growth areas, including Corporate & Community Partnerships, the sports vertical and professional development initiatives. The position develops integrated marketing strategies that drive partner engagement, pipeline growth and revenue, while aligning with the university's mission and brand. This role reports to the Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications.

B2B Marketing Strategy & Execution

• Develop and lead comprehensive B2B marketing strategies that support partner acquisition, engagement and retention.
• Create and execute integrated campaigns targeting corporate partners, industry organizations and professional audiences.
• Align marketing efforts with business development goals to drive pipeline growth and measurable revenue impact.

Partner & Vertical Marketing Support

• Lead marketing initiatives for Corporate & Community Partnerships, ensuring strong positioning and value communication.
• Support the growth of ACU's sports vertical through targeted B2B campaigns, partnerships and thought leadership.
• Develop marketing strategies for Executive Education and Professional Development programs to reach working professionals and organizations.

Campaign Development & Content Strategy

• Collaborate with internal teams to develop B2B-focused messaging, content and campaigns across digital, email, events, and paid channels.
• Create audience-specific value propositions, case studies and partner success stories.
• Ensure alignment between marketing campaigns and sales/enrollment outreach efforts.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner closely with Enrollment, Partnerships, Executive Education and academic leadership to align marketing strategies with business priorities.
• Serve as a marketing liaison for B2B initiatives, ensuring clear communication and coordinated execution across teams.
• Support internal stakeholders with strategic guidance on B2B marketing best practices.

Lead Generation & Pipeline Development

• Develop and optimize lead generation strategies, including events, webinars, digital campaigns and outbound initiatives.
• Collaborate with CRM and inbound marketing teams to ensure effective lead nurturing and handoff processes.
• Monitor campaign performance and continuously refine strategies to improve conversion rates and ROI.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Define KPIs for B2B marketing efforts and track campaign performance against goals.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership, highlighting pipeline contribution, engagement metrics and ROI.
• Use data to inform strategy adjustments and identify new opportunities for growth.

Team Supervision

• Manage and develop a Marketing Manager assigned to B2B marketing initiatives.
• Provide clear direction, assign responsibilities, review work and support professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment focused on high-quality execution and continuous improvement.

Market Research & Industry Insights

• Conduct ongoing research on industry trends, competitor activity, and target audience needs.
• Identify new market opportunities and recommend strategies to expand ACU's B2B presence.

Skills

• Deep understanding of B2B marketing strategy, demand generation and pipeline development.
• Strong ability to develop integrated campaigns across digital, content and event channels.
• Experience aligning marketing with sales or partnership teams to drive measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret performance data and optimize campaigns.
• Highly organized with strong project management capabilities.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a focus on results.

Training Modules Required

• Ongoing CPE.
• Regular reading in higher education and marketing publications.
• Regular training on marketing and public relations best practices and regulations.

Professional

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications or related field required.
• 12+ years of professional experience in brand marketing, creative strategy or campaign development.
• Proven experience developing and executing B2B campaigns that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams including sales, partnerships and product/program leaders.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, marketing automation and digital marketing platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Personal

• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence and align stakeholders.
• Mission-driven with a commitment to Christian higher education.
• Self-motivated, organized and adaptable.

Physical Demands

• Work is performed in an office environment; must have the ability to sit for long periods of time – 4-6 hours.
• Limited travel required – locations vary and some overnight travel may be necessary.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.