As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Marketing and Communications Manager for Knight WORKS, the university’s workforce intermediary initiative led through Saint Joseph’s College. This leader will advance Marian University’s Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by shaping and executing a regional communications strategy that positions Knight WORKS as Indiana’s first coordinated earn-and-learn workforce intermediary.
The Marketing and Communications Manager serves as the senior marketing and brand strategist for Knight WORKS and is responsible for developing and executing integrated, insight-informed communications initiatives that increase employer engagement, support student recruitment, and elevate public visibility across Central Indiana.
This position reports jointly to the Vice President and Dean of Saint Joseph’s College and the Executive Director of Knight WORKS and collaborates closely with Marian University senior leadership.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Actively engage Marian University’s Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by modeling Franciscan Sponsorship Values through professionalism, integrity, and collaborative leadership in all communications.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, insight-informed communications strategy positioning Knight WORKS as Central Indiana’s workforce intermediary of record.
- Articulate and amplify how Knight WORKS integrates experiential learning, workforce readiness competencies, and employer expectations into a unified regional model.
- Align communications strategy with employer pipeline growth targets, student enrollment goals, and revenue pacing milestones.
- Monitor regional workforce trends and advise senior leadership on strategic positioning opportunities
- Create, build, manage, and protect the Knight WORKS brand identity, including messaging architecture, positioning frameworks, and narrative consistency.
- Translate institutional and workforce strategy into measurable, high-impact marketing initiatives that expand awareness, credibility, and trust among employers, students, and community stakeholders.
- Create executive-level messaging materials for employers, state leaders, philanthropic partners, and institutional stakeholders.
- Draft speeches, briefing documents, employer presentations, press materials, and Governor-ready communications in coordination with senior leadership.
- Lead integrated storytelling initiatives highlighting student wage outcomes, employer satisfaction, retention performance, and workforce impact.
- Collaborate with the Data and Reporting Lead to translate dashboard metrics into compelling public-facing narratives.
- Oversee production of professional marketing assets including launch campaigns, video production, digital outreach, employer testimonial content, photography, and branded materials.
- Develop and maintain media relationships to secure earned media coverage in regional business, workforce, and higher education outlets.
- Coordinate and promote high-visibility employer roundtables, internship fairs, launch convenings, Talent Connect events, and Match Day programming.
- Support employer recruitment efforts by developing ROI-focused materials aligned with employer-tier investment structures.
- Influence cross-functional partners to ensure alignment between communications, employer engagement, student services, and executive priorities.
- Collaborate with Marian University marketing and communications to ensure alignment with institutional brand standards and media protocols.
- Manage external vendors, creative contractors, and campaign budgets within approved allocations.
- Track and report measurable communications performance indicators monthly and provide quarterly strategic communications analysis to senior leadership, identifying strengths, risks, and growth opportunities.
- Some extended hours required during campaign launches, major announcements, and employer convenings.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or related field.
- Minimum of five years of progressive experience in strategic communications, brand development, public relations, or executive communications.
- Demonstrated experience leading communications strategy for a complex initiative, organization, or campaign.
- Experience supporting senior leadership with high-level messaging and public visibility.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing external vendors, creative production, and campaign budgets.
- Ability to operate strategically while executing in a fast-moving launch environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in workforce development, higher education, economic development, or public-private partnerships.
- Experience working with government leaders, corporate partners, or philanthropic stakeholders.
- Familiarity with performance reporting and outcome-based storytelling.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
For Consideration All Applications Require:
- Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile.
- Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions.
Please Review Marian University’s Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application:
https://www.marian.edu/faith (https://www.marian.edu/faith)
Essential Functions:
Work hours necessary to perform job requirements satisfactorily on a regular basis. Manage absence from work in responsible manner to ensure service to clients, work teams, and coworkers. Comply with Marian University policies and practices and seeking clarification of them when necessary.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use their hands to handle or feel objects, equipment, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with their hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Limitations and Disclaimer:
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and States Laws.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.
Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
