Strategic Marketing and Engagement Specialist

Job Title: Strategic Marketing and Engagement Specialist | Location: UNG-Dahlonega, GA | Regular/Temporary: Regular | Full/Part Time: Full-Time | Job ID: 300355 About Us Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of over 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the university's signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Job Summary The University of North Georgia is accepting applications for a Strategic Marketing and Engagement Specialist. Serves as the lead storytelling and audience engagement partner for the Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB). This position reports to the Dean and serves as a collaborative resource for the entire college working closely with department heads, program directors, and center directors to elevate the visibility, reputation, and impact of MCCB across UNG's five campuses. The Strategic Marketing & Engagement Manager is also an embedded member of UNG's broader integrated communications and marketing ecosystem, working in close partnerships. They will help translate the college's priorities, programs, student experiences, faculty expertise, alumni success, and workforce impact into compelling stories and experiences that strengthen recruitment, engagement, alumni affinity, employer partnerships, and institutional reputation. They will collect and use data to create marketing messages and drive college decisions. The successful candidate will combine strategic marketing planning with hands‑on storytelling, digital engagement, content development, event-based audience activation, and brand stewardship. This role requires a highly collaborative communicator who can integrate college‑level priorities with university-wide messaging, campaigns, and brand alignment. Please be advised that any offer of employment is contingent upon your eligibility to work in the United States. The university is aware of recent federal changes that may significantly increase the cost of filing H-1B visa petitions. As a public institution, the university's ability to cover such costs is subject to budgetary constraints and state funding policies. Therefore, while we remain committed to supporting international faculty hires, we cannot guarantee payment of any newly imposed or increased visa‑related fees. If you have any questions regarding the visa policy, please contact Monica Arrendale at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Responsibilities Serve as the lead strategic marketing and storytelling partner for the Dean, department heads, program directors, center directors, and college leadership to identify priorities, shape audience engagement strategies, and develop integrated marketing plans that support enrollment, reputation, partnerships, advancement, and student success goals, using appropriate data to drive marketing decisions. Lead MCCB's digital storytelling and audience engagement strategy across social media and emerging platforms through authentic, high-quality content creation, real‑time storytelling, audience interaction, and strategic campaign execution; regularly evaluate analytics and audience insights to refine performance and increase impact. Serve as a visible communications leader at key college events and experiences including Nighthawk Preview, alumni engagement activities, signature academic programs, employer events, and community initiatives capturing authentic real-time content while supporting strategic audience engagement and storytelling opportunities. Collaborate closely and consistently with UNG's Strategic Communications and Marketing (SC&M) division and university partners to ensure MCCB communications align with institutional brand standards, messaging frameworks, campaign priorities, editorial direction, and university‑wide strategic initiatives. Identify, develop, and distribute compelling stories that highlight student achievement, faculty expertise, alumni impact, employer partnerships, experiential learning, innovation, and workforce outcomes across digital, print, web, social, and video platforms tailored to key audiences. Contribute to proactive media relations, thought leadership opportunities, executive communications, and external visibility initiatives in partnership with SC&M and college leadership. Participate in university‑wide communications planning efforts, collaborative storytelling initiatives, training opportunities, campaign coordination, and cross-campus communications councils led by SC&M. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Understanding of integrated marketing planning and audience engagement strategy. Experience using analytics and performance insights to guide marketing decisions and evaluate effectiveness. Familiarity with higher education culture and the dynamics of student recruitment, alumni engagement, and institutional reputation-building. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous priorities and deadlines. Strong storytelling instincts with the ability to identify and develop authentic, audience-centered narratives. Excellent written and verbal communication skills across multiple platforms and audiences. Deep fluency across social media and digital engagement platforms, including content strategy, audience development, analytics, and emerging trends. Ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast‑paced environment. Strong relationship‑building and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across faculty, staff, students, alumni, employers, and external partners. Ability to balance decentralized college priorities with university‑wide communications strategy and brand alignment. Collaborative mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and a willingness to support both strategic planning and day-to-day execution. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, digital media, or a related field, or equivalent in education and experience. At least three years experience in marketing, strategic communications, or a related role, preferably within higher education and/or other mission-driven organizations. Experience capturing and producing real-time content including photography, short‑form video, live social coverage, and event storytelling. Experience with digital communication tools including CMS platforms, email marketing systems, social scheduling tools, analytics dashboards, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and related technologies. Preferred Qualifications Masters degree preferred. Experience developing integrated content strategies, managing digital platforms, supporting executive communications, and creating audience-centered storytelling campaigns preferred. Proposed Salary $58,887‑$64,775. Required Documents to Attach Resume Cover Letter Unofficial Transcripts Contact Information for Three Professional References USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at Institutional Values The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at Conditions of Employment Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of North Georgia, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex or national origin, age, disability, religion, genetics or veteran status. Georgia is an open records state. Also, UNG is a federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans. Other Information This is not a supervisory position. This position does not have any financial responsibilities. This position will be required to drive. This role is not considered a position of trust. This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card). This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time. This position does not require security clearance. Please note: the University of North Georgia career board updates daily, positions are subject to be removed without prior notice or before the posting expires. Background Check Standard Enhanced + Education. #J-18808-Ljbffr The University of North Georgia