Marketing and Communications Specialist - Graduate & Professional Admissions

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Salary Range: $48,000- 53,000

Reports to: Associate VP for Graduate Administration

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION 

Serves as the primary communications coordinator for Graduate Admissions.  Reporting to the Assoc. VP of Enrollment, the communication specialist assists in the planning and implementing of the marketing, communication, and events strategies to recruit graduate students to Pacific University

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position manages the flow of graduate admissions information to students and families, including managing web content and written communications.  Coordinates with other key offices in the campus community to ensure a consistent, timely and relevant communication strategy.
• Is a core member of the cross-functional enrollment marketing team, in collaboration with Marketing and Communications. 
• Creates, organizes, and manages a regular communication plan for prospective students throughout the admission cycle, to include all mediums of communication.
• Coordinates and maintains the Grad Admissions office's social media and web strategy, and ensures that the office is on the cutting edge of communication with students.
• Leads the development and implementation of the strategic annual and long-term communication, marketing, and outreach planning efforts.
• Participates in recruitment events as needed.
• Develops and implements a social media communication plan.
• Supports the design, production, printing and budget management of all admissions publications.
• Maintains an integrated marketing communications strategy and develops creative approaches that align with that strategy.
• Maintains an admission database that documents the admission process and ensures mailings (electronic and print) and other appropriate communications are timely and thorough.
• Participates in the development of the office's marketing strategy

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: 

• Assists with Grad Admissions events planning and execution.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE: 
Job operates within established parameters 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY 

Lead Role (No Formal Supervision): This position may act as a lead for a project or team, providing direction and coordination, but does not include formal supervision or performance evaluation duties.
 

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of experience in communications, marketing, advertising or public relations
• Experience working in a higher education setting, preferre
• Familiarity with FERPA and other relevant higher education regulations
• Valid driver’s license and willingness and ability to travel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Excellent customer service and successful written and verbal communication with a broad and diverse audience in a culturally responsive manner.
• Ability to maintain confidential, detailed records.
• Proficient in the use of common office software, spreadsheets, email, databases, and electronic platforms. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people in a wide range of roles. 
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Ability to build and sustain rich collaborative relationships with university staff, students, and university partners of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple projects, track data, meet timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the University with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the University’s strategic vision and the division’s annual goals.
• Able to make independent decisions and recommendations that align with policies, rules, and procedures; ability to ask questions and seek assistance when needed.
• Able to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment, working independently and/or as part of a team. 
• Ability to learn student/events database management.
• Ability to successfully organize and execute tasks and events under pressure
• Self-starter with strong work ethic.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; strong public presentation skills
• Strong understanding of prospect management philosophies and recruitment-based financial aid strategies.
• Proven ability to work with recruitment software packages, Microsoft Office, and strong email and web skills. 
• An understanding of technology-based research and its appropriate application to recruitment strategies 
• Evidence of good people skills, intra-campus relationships, good judgment, and flexibility. 
• Valid driver’s license and willingness and ability to travel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience working in a higher education setting, particularly with Graduate Student populations. 
• Familiarity with Slate, Canvas, Salesforce
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, especially in Spanish
• Experience managing budgets or overseeing operational processes
• Familiarity with institutional research, assessment practices, or data-informed decision-making

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• Normal office working conditions.  Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require standing and walking for up to 20% of the time.  
• Job requires hours that may exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week during peak periods, job requires ability to drive and travel.
• This job requires extensive interaction with individuals outside the University.

HYBRID/REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY 

• On-site, only. Position based on the Hillsboro Campus. 

Schedule Expectations: 

• Standard weekday hours (Monday–Friday)
• Occasional evening and/or weekend responsibilities

Travel Requirements: 

• Regular travel between campuses is required. 
• Occasional travel outside the university required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work – involves sitting most of the time
• Light work – involves lifting up to 20 pounds
• Visual acuity – ability to see and interpret visual information
   

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please upload your resume,  cover letter and three professional references along with your Paycom application.  Persons who do not follow and complete the application process are not applicants and will not be considered for employment.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process, we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they are unsure if they can perform every function in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about how your background and skill set may qualify you for the role.

We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset-based mindset so that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:

• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks, snowshoes, and bikes)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at provost@pacificu.edu.

Salary : $48,000 - $53,000