Admission Digital Communication Manager

Position Summary:
Job Summary:
The Admission Digital Communication Manager is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communication strategy that supports prospective students and their families throughout the recruitment, admission and enrollment journey. This position demands a proactive approach to understanding and anticipating student needs to ensure timely and effective communication while coordinating internal messaging and third-party communication plans. The Communications Manager reports to the Director of Admission.
This position leads the creation and implementation of an integrated student communication plan, using the Slate CRM and other tools to engage students through digital communication channels. By analyzing data and student behavior trends, the manager ensures timely, culturally responsive, and effective communication to enhance student recruitment and enrollment. Success in this role requires a growth mindset, a commitment to ongoing learning in a rapidly evolving technology landscape, and a willingness to adopt innovative tools and techniques.
In addition to managing content for email communications, this position also creates and manages content for platforms like the Admission website and a suite of external digital recruitment platforms such as Niche, Appily and more. This position provides leadership in the development and execution of strategies that resonate with the diverse needs of prospective Fort Lewis College students, with particular attention to equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Job Description:
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Content Creation & Brand Alignment (50%)
* Oversee the creation, writing, design, and execution of high-quality student-facing communications across digital and print platforms, including emails, app notifications, website updates, and chatbot content, using tools such as Technolution's Slate CRM.
* Maintain and update key digital platforms, including the admission website, Chatbot knowledge base, and external digital recruitment platforms, ensuring accuracy, engagement, and accessibility.
* Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to innovate storytelling approaches, leverage data to enhance messaging impact, and ensure alignment with institutional branding guidelines and messaging standards.
* Collaborate with our third-party marketing agency in the timely creation of communication plans and content. Proofing accuracy, brand guidelines and strategic alignment to a larger comprehensive communication plan.
* Create inclusive and accessible content that meets ADA and Section 508 standards, reflecting FLC's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
* Work collaboratively with campus partners to gather content and ensure communications are student-focused and tailored to the diverse needs of Fort Lewis College's student body.
* Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508 and produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
CRM Management and Analytics (30%)
* Lead the implementation of communication campaigns using Slate CRM, including audience segmentation, query building, email design, and testing to ensure successful delivery and engagement.
* Monitor campaign performance and leverage data insights to optimize communication strategies, troubleshooting issues as needed.
* Provide training and support to staff on effectively using communication tools, including Slate CRM, HTML, CSS, and analytics dashboards, to enhance campaign execution and proficiency.
* Develop and manage a comprehensive communication calendar that integrates efforts across platforms and audiences, ensuring consistent, timely, and relevant messaging.
Strategic Oversight, Leadership, and Collaboration (15%)
* Develop and execute a multi-audience communication strategy to drive student recruitment, ensuring alignment with institutional branding and messaging standard.
* Analyze communication effectiveness through data-driven reporting, proposing adjustments to maximize engagement and enhance student experience.
* Champion inclusivity and accessibility in all communication efforts, aligning with the college's mission and DEI goals.
* Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
Collaboration (15%)
* Act as a strategic partner to departments like Financial Aid, Advising, Orientation and Housing, ensuring cohesive messaging to incoming students and families.
* Work with Marketing and Communications as a strategic partner aligning all efforts with institutional goals.
* Support high-impact events and initiatives through the Admission Office, especially during peak times.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:
* Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
* Minimum of five years of experience in a communication related role
* Demonstrated ability to take initiative, think strategically, and execute projects on a deadline.
* Excellent writing, editing, and digital content creation skills.
* Technically minded and comfortable learning and navigating new technologies.
* Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:
* Bachelor's degree in communication, marketing, business, writing, English or related field.
* Experience in higher education communication or a similar role within a student-focused environment.
* Knowledge of AI tools and their applications in communication workflows.
* In-depth knowledge of CRM systems, advanced data analysis, and reporting capabilities. (including experience with a CRM or email platform, drag-and-drop design software, or query writing and reporting)
* Experience with Technolution's Slate CRM
* Experience with HTML and CSS

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:
This position reports to the Director of Admission
This position does not supervise any professional positions, although there is the possibility for supervision of student employees.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Flexibility to work independently and within a team management structure.
* Ability to work productively with moderate noise & distraction (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
* Be adaptable to changing policies, procedures and practices.
* Ability to work in a confined area.
* Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function
* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
* Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
* Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel:
Occasional travel is required to attend trainings and conferences, typically does not exceed 5%

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:
* Administrative Professional Salary Position
* Full Time
* Permanent
* Full Year
* Typical work hours are 8am-5pm mountain time, Monday through Friday.
* Additional time may be required in peak times, but this would be rare.
* This is a majority on-campus, in-person position; however, FLC supports flexibility with opportunities for occasional remote work.