Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Graphic Design

Marketing and Communications

Marketing Strategy

The Marketing and Communications Manager provides strategic leadership for the development and implementation of marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives that support the mission, programs, and priorities of a campus, administrative, or academic unit; oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of marketing and communications strategies designed to increase visibility, engagement, and impact among diverse audiences, including internal stakeholders, community partners, media, and external constituents; leads professional staff responsible for content creation, design, digital communications, and marketing campaign execution; directs market research and analytics efforts to inform data-driven strategies and ensure effective positioning of programs, services, and initiatives; serves as a key adviser to leadership; ensures alignment with institutional priorities, brand standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Lead the planning, development, and implementation of comprehensive marketing and communications strategies supporting multiple programs and initiatives
• Translate organizational priorities into integrated marketing and communications plans that align with strategic objectives
• Provide long-range planning, direction, and guidance for communications initiatives and campaigns
• Oversee the development of marketing plans that include audience identification, messaging strategies, channel selection, and performance metrics
• Supervise, mentor, and develop professional staff responsible for marketing, communications, content development, and design; foster professional growth through coaching, training, and performance development
• Identify and prioritize staff assignments to ensure efficient project workflow and timely completion of deliverables
• Review and approve work to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance with brand, editorial, and accessibility standards
• Oversee the design, analysis, and implementation of market research initiatives to inform strategic decision-making
• Use audience insights, analytics, and market trends to refine marketing strategies and optimize campaign effectiveness
• Develop and implement evaluation processes to measure progress toward communications and marketing goals
• Conduct assessments and recommend new promotional strategies, channels, and technologies to increase ROI
• Direct public information and media relations efforts, in conjunction with the Office of Strategic Communications
• Lead the conception, development, creation, editing, and production of promotional communications, educational materials, publications, and digital content
• Ensure messaging consistency across platforms including websites, social media, advertising, publications, and presentations
• Direct the drafting and editing of speeches, presentations, reports, letters, and other communications for senior leadership
• Oversee design and content development across digital, print, and multimedia platforms
• Lead the delivery of events and outreach activities designed to engage diverse audiences including media, internal stakeholders, partners, and community members
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to support major initiatives, campaigns, and public-facing events
• Represent the unit in cross-departmental collaborations and strategic initiatives
• Ensure communications comply with accessibility standards (e.g., ADA/WCAG), brand guidelines, privacy regulations, and contractual obligations

Level:

– Senior Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced skills in critical functions related to unit's success. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of emerging technologies and processes. Monitors completed work of others to ensure effectiveness and adherence to requirements. Sets clear expectations and holds team accountable. Establishes a shared team/unit vision. Demonstrates ability to evaluate and enhance team/unit practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices. Coaches others using appropriate strategies. Demonstrates diplomacy. Demonstrates ability to serve as liaison between senior-level management and staff. Resolves complex, controversial, or unprecedented issues and problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees large team or teams of individual contributors and/or supervisors/managers
– Leads a department or functional area

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks large budgets
– Plans, forecasts, and/or develops budgets
– May approve budgets for specific area
– Typically has final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that impacts the team and possibly the unit
– Develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature
– Independently resolves complex and/or unprecedented issues and problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined
– Generally sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Monitors completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness of meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements
– Delegates more advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Fosters collaboration between units and engages others' coordinated efforts to reach desired outcomes with broad scope

• Comp Grade – 14
• Minimum – $97,100.00
• MidPoint – $121,400.00
• Maximum – $145,700.00

• Adaptability
• Analytical thinking
• Brand management
• Communication design
• Communications planning
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• Proofreading
• Public relations
• Strategic Planning