Director of Admissions Marketing & Communications - Western Washington University

At a glance

Another Source is proud to partner with Western Washington University on a search for a Director of Admission Marketing & Communications to lead and evolve undergraduate enrollment marketing strategy - from first touch through enrollment.Located in Bellingham, WA, WWU offers a truly unique sense of place - nestled between the Salish Sea and the North Cascades, it’s a campus that naturally attracts students who value community, sustainability, and the outdoors. This role plays a key part in telling that story and connecting with prospective students.The Director will lead integrated admissions communications strategy, working closely with Enrollment, Financial Aid, and campus partners to build meaningful engagement. It’s a highly visible, hands-on role with the opportunity to shape messaging, leverage Slate, and help drive enrollment in a dynamic and evolving environment, while overseeing a team of two.The team is open to individuals stepping into their first Director role as well as seasoned leaders, particularly those who enjoy balancing strategy with execution in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.If this opportunity aligns with your experience and interests, we’d welcome the chance to connect with you.

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source’s client,Western Washington University, is recruiting aDirector of Admissions Marketing & Communicationsto join their team in Bellingham, WA.This position is primarily on-site, with flexibility for a hybrid schedule depending on operational needs. A typical schedule is expected to include approximately three days per week in the office.

Here’sa little aboutWestern Washington Universityand the position they are recruiting for:

Western Washington University is seeking aDirector of Admissions Marketing & Communicationsto lead strategy and execution for undergraduate enrollment marketing across the student lifecycle - from recruitment through enrollment. This role will play a critical part in aligning marketing, admissions, and enrollment efforts to support institutional goals, strengthen yield, and create a more cohesive, student-centered communications experience.

As a key leader within University Communications and Marketing, this position partners closely with Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation to drive integrated, data-informed campaigns andoptimizeperformance across channels. The Director will shape how Western engages prospective students -bringingclarity, consistency, and strategy to communications that directlyimpactenrollment outcomes.

This role is open to candidates who bring transferable marketing experience, even if they have not worked directly in admissions.

Learn more about Western Washington University here:https://www.wwu.edu/about-wwu

About the Department:

University Communications and Marketing (UCM)servesas Western Washington University’s central resource for marketing strategy, storytelling, brand stewardship, and digital communications. The team partners across colleges, divisions, and programs to ensure the university presents a clear, consistent, and authentic voice across campaigns, publications, websites, and media.

As part of University Advancement, UCM leads integrated communications and creative efforts that elevate Western’s profile, strengthen recruitment and engagement, and support institutional priorities. The department brings togetherexpertiseacross marketing, communications, digital strategy, and creative services to deliver cohesive, audience-centered messaging.

Through close collaboration across campus, University Communications and Marketing plays a critical role in shaping how Western is experienced by prospective students, current students, alumni, and the broader community.

Learn more about University Communications and Marketing here:https://marcom.wwu.edu/

About the Role:

The Director of Admissions Marketing & Communications provides strategic leadership for marketing and communications that support undergraduate admissions at Western Washington University, with a focus on recruitment, application, admission, and transition to enrollment.

Housed within University Marketing, this role leads the development and coordination of integrated admissions communications strategies in close partnership with Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation & Transition. The Director ensures that messaging, timing, and channels are aligned across units to create a cohesive, student-centered experience and to support institutional admissions goals.

This position serves as the primary strategic lead for admissions communications executed through Slate, coordinating CRM-based messaging, campaign sequencing, and performance assessment in collaboration with Admissions leadership and Marketing Operations. This role also provides strategic guidance and consultation to support Admissions marketing and communications efforts across Western’s campuses and locations, ensuring a cohesive approach that reflects both institutional priorities and local context.The Director exercises a high degree of independent judgment and supervises professional staff supporting admissions marketing initiatives.

How you will spend your time:

Strategic Leadership for Admissions Marketing & Communications– 35%

• Provide strategic direction for admissions-related marketing and communications within University Marketing.

• Lead the development of integrated admissions communications strategies spanning recruitment, application, admission, financial aid awareness, and transition to enrollment.

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance for Admissions marketing and communications initiatives that span Western’s multiple campuses and academic centers, including Bellingham, Western on the Peninsulas, and other locations, ensuring alignment with institutional brand, messaging, and admissions goals.

• Ensure admissions communications are student-centered, accessible, and aligned with institutional brand and messaging frameworks.

• Serve as a strategic partner to Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation & Transition leadership to align communications with admissions priorities and student needs.

• Translate admissions goals into coordinated communications approaches across channels and units.

Slate-Based Admissions Communications Strategy and Coordination– 30%

• Serve as the primary strategic lead for admissions-related communications executed through Slate.

• Establish andmaintainframeworks for admissions lifecycle messaging, campaign sequencing, and audience segmentation in collaboration with Admissions and Enrollment Management partners.

• Coordinate CRM-based admissions communications to ensure consistency, clarity, andappropriate timingacross recruitment and yield phases.

• Partner with Marketing Operations and Enrollment Systems staff to align communications strategy with data structures, governance practices, and technical capabilities.

• Analyze performance data to evaluate effectiveness and inform refinements to admissions communications strategies.

Cross-Unit Collaboration and Integration– 20%

• Foster strong, ongoing collaboration between University Marketing and Admissions-related units to ensure coordinated planning and execution of admissions communications.

• Align admissions marketing efforts with broader institutional marketing initiatives and calendars.

• Serve asa central pointof coordination for cross-unit admissions campaigns and communications initiatives.

• Represent University Marketing on admissions-related working groups and committees asappropriate.

Leadership, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement–15%

• Supervise and support professional staff working on admissions marketing and communications initiatives.

• Providefunctional guidance and mentorship related to admissions campaign development, messaging coordination, and communications assessment.

• Establish metrics and reporting frameworks to assess the effectiveness of admissions marketing efforts.

• Identifyopportunities to improve processes, workflows, and use of marketing technologies to supportadmissionsgoals.

• Contribute to long-range planning related to admissions marketing strategy, tools, and staffing.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, English, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.

• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or admissions-related work.

• Demonstratedexpertisewith Slate in an admissionscommunicationscontext,evidencedbySlate certification and/oraminimum ofoneyearofhands-on Slate experience.

• Experience working in undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, or student transition programs.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong analytical skills and experience using data to inform communications strategy.

• Demonstrated experience developing and leading integrated, multi-channel marketing or communications strategies.

• At least one year of experience leading staff or complex, cross-functional communications initiatives.

• Advanced experience coordinating communications across multiple functional units.

• Experience working within a centralized or matrixed marketing organization.

• Demonstrated success aligning admissions communications strategy with institutional goals and student experience outcomes.

For more information, please view the position announcement on theWWU Careers website.

Western Washington University is proud to offer a comprehensive program including salarycommensuratewith experience and qualification, a leave plan, health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plan, and educational growth opportunities.The hiring rangefor the positionis $88,935-102,277dependenton qualifications and experience. Through longevity position tops out at $115,616.For more information about benefits, please review:Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected ClassandProhibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225;360.650.3307(voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonableaccommodationsto qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to requestan accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services,360.650.3751or 711 (Washington Relay).

Please also see WWU’sAnnual Security and Fire Safety Reportwhich is providedpursuant tothe Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus SecurityPolicyand Campus Crime Statistics Act(“The Clery Act”).

All new employees mustcomply withthe immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes asexual misconduct background check.

All employees must comply with Western Washington UniversityImmunization policies, includingProof of Rubeola Measles Immunitywithin60-daysof hire. Please reach out toHR@wwu.eduif you need informationregardingmedical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Another Source works with their clients on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Asyou readthrough the job posting and review the list of qualifications (requiredand/or preferred), please do not self-select outif you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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