Senior Digital Marketing Specialist

About this opportunity

To lead UNIVERSITY’s integrated marketing and communications strategy in alignment with institutional goals, ensuring brand visibility, learner recruitment support, and stakeholder engagement. The role provides strategic direction, manages resources, and safeguards institutional reputation through innovative communication and marketing practices. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Leadership Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies aligned with UNIVERSITY’s mission and institutional goals. Translate strategic priorities into measurable campaigns and institutional communication initiatives. Safeguard UNIVERSITY’s reputation through proactive planning and consistent brand messaging. Team Leadership & Development Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary marketing and communications team. Conduct performance evaluations, identify skills gaps, and initiate staff development. Promote a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Budget & Resource Management Prepare and manage the department’s annual budget. Ensure cost-effective allocation of resources while maintaining quality standards. Oversee vendor and agency relations to optimize service delivery. Brand & Institutional Messaging Act as custodian of UNIVERSITY’s brand identity and ensure consistency across all platforms. Oversee the development of campaigns, speeches, leadership communications, and crisis responses. Lead positioning initiatives to strengthen the university’s visibility and reputation. Digital Transformation & Innovation Drive UNIVERSITY’s digital presence across web, social media, and online platforms. Integrate data-driven marketing, SEO/SEM, and automation into campaigns. Promote innovative practices such as AI-driven marketing and multimedia storytelling. Performance Monitoring & Reporting Define and track KPIs for visibility, engagement, recruitment, and reputation. Deliver periodic reports and insights to senior leadership. Recommend adjustments to enhance communication effectiveness. Professional Experience 7–10 years in marketing and communications, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Experience in higher education, government, or large corporate organizations preferred. Proven track record of managing campaigns, budgets, and diverse teams. Education and Academic: Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field. Master’s degree in marketing, Strategic Communications, or MBA (preferred). Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills. Excellent communication skills in both Arabic and English (written and verbal). Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills. Expertise in strategic planning, institutional branding, and reputation management. High-level problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure. Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Demonstrated learner service orientation. Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities. Ability to interpret and communicate policies, regulations, and procedures to students, faculty, and staff. Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports. Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures. Proficiency in digital marketing tools, analytics dashboards, and campaign management systems. Familiarity with CRM, CMS, SEO/SEM, and marketing automation platforms. Knowledge of media monitoring, reputation management, and business intelligence tools. Proficiency in PC skills and Microsoft Office applications. Ability to work flexibly, including extended hours and weekends as required. Ability to travel frequently between emirates and within the region.