Associate Director of Marketing

Central Washington University is recruiting an Associate Director of Marketing to join our Marketing and Communications team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is central to our team and leads the marketing strategy and operations for the university. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We’re offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students’ Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You’ll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

The CWU Office of Marketing and Communications is made up of marketing, communications, and creative professionals who are committed to promoting the university and elevating our brand. Our experienced team of professionals helps faculty, staff, students, and alumni share their successes, opportunities, and discoveries to key audiences.

Find out more at: https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/marketing-communications/index.php

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Associate Director of Marketing provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and cross-functional coordination for marketing strategy and implementation across Central Washington University. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, the Associate Director of Marketing serves as the university’s lead marketing strategist and oversees all centralized marketing operations. This role is responsible for designing and executing multichannel campaigns that support institutional priorities in recruitment, retention, student success, and brand visibility.

The Associate Director leads key marketing teams and functions including digital and traditional marketing, marketing analytics, and campaign development (including paid and earned media). This position holds responsibility for marketing operations, including contract and vendor oversight, personnel supervision, and university-wide client engagement. The Associate Director of Marketing plays a central role in ensuring alignment with CWU’s integrated marketing plan and brand standards and leads innovation and continuous improvement in marketing strategies to meet evolving institutional needs.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU’s vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. The Associate Director of Marketing supports the mission, vision, and values of CWU by creating and promoting a culture of welcoming and belonging for potential students and families as well as the current CWU community. They practice inclusivity and engaging those they influence/lead in meaningful work that fosters strong relationships, stewardship of resources, and the integration of diverse perspectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or related field
• Three years of professional marketing experience
• Proven experience managing complex marketing campaigns
• Search Engine Optimization/Marketing and digital marketing experience
• Exceptional writing and proofreading skills
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience fostering a supportive and effective workplace while working with students and/or colleagues to uphold institutional excellence
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in marketing, business, or related field
• Professional experience working on a marketing team
• Experience leading marketing teams and developing strategic marketing plans
• Use and understanding of project management tools and processes
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At CWU, we’re committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you’re looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: The Hiring Department’s expected hiring range is $64,974 – $84,000 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $64,974 to $94,213.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: April 7, 2026

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.