A Brand Manager manages and coordinates marketing activities for a single brand within a company's portfolio. Works within larger marketing team. Monitors demand for the brand. Identifies potential new customers; develops strategies for increasing sales or market share.
The Brand Manager owns end-to-end CEPS marketing strategy and execution to drive enrollment growth. Leveraging data analytics, creative development, and cross-functional leadership, this role transforms market insights into impactful storytelling that elevate brand equity and convert prospective students throughout the recruitment funnel.
Utilize demographic data and institutional research to identify high-yield target markets and emerging opportunities for regional and national recruitment.
Audience Segmentation:
Define and build distinct audience personas across diverse applicant pipelines.
Creative & Campaign Development Integrated Multi-Channel Campaigns:
Manage integrated marketing initiatives from brief writing, planning to launch, utilizing digital media, (SEM), paid social, targeted email nurturing, website/SEO content and targeted collateral.
Asset Quality & Alignment:
Review and refine all copy, visuals, and multimedia content to ensure UA institutional brand guidelines while maximizing effectiveness & efficiency.
Serve as the point of contact connecting central UBO resources, external agencies, creative, college stakeholders, admissions, and other university stakeholders to advance CEPS. Campaign Performance & Data Optimization •
Accountability & KPI Tracking:
Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to track campaign efficacy, pipeline conversion rates, and audience engagement.
Fiscal & Analytical Stewardship:
Measure marketing return on investment (ROI) and provide data-driven recommendations to optimize budget allocations and improve future campaign performance.
Additional Position Information:
Education:
Requires a relevant Bachelor's degree.
Licenses/Certifications/Requirements:
None.
Experience:
Requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in brand management, product marketing, or performance marketing; 7 years preferred.
Experience required in the following:
Campaign Lifecycle Success:
Documented success managing complex, multi-channel marketing campaigns from market research and creative briefing through to post-launch evaluation.
Analytical Competency:
Proven capability to leverage data analytics platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and audience data to optimize marketing strategy.
Communication Skills:
Superb verbal, written, and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex, technical features into consumer-facing benefits. Preferred Qualifications Master of Business Administration (MBA) Familiarity with marketing trends, competitive factors, and audience behaviors within technical, scientific, or highly specialized programmatic fields.
Compensation:
The compensation for this position is commensurate with experience.
Application Instructions:
In order to be considered for this position, please complete the online application and attach your resume.
Application Deadline:
For fullest consideration, apply by August 6, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. FLSA Status (exempt/nonexempt): United States of America (Exempt) Union Affiliation (if applicable): For assistance with your application or attachments, please contact the Human Resources representative listed:
Shawna Harris Email:
lharris@uakron.edu ________________________________________________________________________ Background Check Statement The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, all offers of employment with The University of Akron are contingent upon verification of credentials, and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional credit investigation and a pre-employment driving record search. Non-Discrimination Statement The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. State of Residence Statement It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio. The University of Akron empowers our people to flourish by delivering an applied and community-connected educational experience and cultivating research excellence. Leveraging our passion and expertise, we create innovative academic opportunities, support the well-being of our students and employees, and prioritize community embeddedness and engagement to impact lives through transformative experience. Through this focus, UA aspires to be the leader in community-focused higher education. The University of Akron is a lifelong learning partner, recognizing and valuing diverse learning experiences and combining traditional classroom experiences with innovative and robust approaches. As Zips, we prioritize the well-being of our students and employees, cultivate a culture and community where all can flourish, and act as responsible stewards of our resources and infrastructure by leveraging data to differentiate our processes and systems. We leverage our urban campus as a responsive and reliable partner to identify and meet the needs of the region. We intentionally contribute to economic and workforce development and civic life through research, innovation and engagement to provide community-embedded experiential learning opportunities that will enhance the UA experience for all students. We welcome candidates who are passionate about shaping and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, experts, artists and leaders. For more information about The University of Akron or the Akron community please visit our About UA page. The University of Akron offers a competitive total compensation package comprised of a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, and paid leave of absences including time off for illness, vacation, and maternity or paternity leave. In addition, eligible employees and their dependents are provided tuition remission. All staff and eligible non-bargaining unit faculty have the option to request a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA). The University of Akron participates in state retirement systems and offers alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions. Optional investment opportunities are available including deferred compensation programs (403(b) and 457(b)). Please visit our benefits home page for more information.
