Associate Director of Product Marketing - Admissions

Position Information

Position Title Associate Director of Product Marketing - Admissions

Job Description

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Product Marketing (Admissions) owns the marketing strategy for the College’s undergraduate and graduate admissions programs, including recruitment, application growth, and yield across Hillsdale’s undergraduate program and its graduate schools.

The Associate Director sets positioning and messaging, builds go-to-market plans, and briefs the Creative, Digital, and Social teams so their execution builds awareness, drives application volume, and strengthens long-term engagement with prospective students, families, counselors, and graduate program applicants.

The role also leads parent-focused marketing and communication, guiding parents from the first inquiry through their student’s time at Hillsdale.

Essential Job Functions* Strong foundation in marketing strategy, positioning, messaging, and go-to-market planning

• Exceptional communication and writing ability, with demonstrated success translating strategy into clear briefs that Creative, Digital, and Social teams can execute against
• Team player and strong communicator who builds trusted working relationships across Admissions, the Marketing teams, and external agencies
• Working knowledge of CRM, marketing automation, and digital campaign platforms sufficient to plan strategy and evaluate results in partnership with the Digital team
• Skilled in interpreting analytics and reporting (Google Analytics GA4, dashboards, performance tracking) to guide strategy and refine positioning
• Market research minded, with curiosity about audience behavior, enrollment trends, and competitor activity, and the habit of using what they learn to shape strategy
• Understanding of email marketing and social media channels
• Tech-savvy and adaptable, with fluency in the tools and digital trends relevant to admissions marketing, even without hands-on execution

Required Qualifications

Marketing Strategy & Positioning* Develop and own the marketing strategy for undergraduate and graduate admissions, including positioning, messaging, and audience segmentation

• Translate enrollment goals into a documented strategy and roadmap that guides execution by the Creative, Digital, and Social teams
• Lead parent-focused marketing and communication, with messaging that helps parents see why Hillsdale is a good choice and guides them from prospective student parent to alumni parent

Go-to-Market Planning* Build go-to-market plans for admissions initiatives, program launches, and application milestones, defining audience, message, channel mix, and timing

• Brief the Integrated Planning and Performance, Creative, Digital, and Social teams on strategy and messaging so each can execute within their area of expertise

Strategic Liaison Role* Serve as the liaison between undergraduate and graduate Admissions leadership and central Marketing

• Align product marketing priorities across undergraduate and graduate initiatives for consistency and maximum reach
• Partner with alumni marketing so the move from admissions parent to alumni parent is planned in advance

Market & Competitive Insight* Lead research on enrollment trends, competitor positioning, and prospective student and family insights

• Translate findings into strategic recommendations that shape campaign direction across undergraduate and graduate audiences

Program & Launch Collaboration* Partner with Admissions and graduate program leaders to plan and position recruitment initiatives, campus visit events, and application milestones

• Ensure program and enrollment cycle launches are backed by a clear strategy brief before Creative, Digital, and Social begin execution

Graduate School Positioning* Develop dedicated positioning and messaging strategy for Hillsdale’s graduate schools, distinct from undergraduate messaging

• Partner with marketing teams to translate graduate program value propositions into campaigns

Enrollment Performance Partnership* Partner with the Digital team and Enrollment Operations to define what success looks like and how it is measured across the funnel

• Review performance data to refine strategy and inform the next planning cycle, working through Digital for hands-on reporting and execution

Brand & Messaging Oversight* Review Creative, Digital, and Social output against strategy and brand standards, providing strategic feedback rather than production work

• Ensure messaging consistency and audience resonance across all teams and channels

Team Leadership & Mentorship* Mentor and guide product marketing staff supporting undergraduate and graduate admissions

• Provide strategic direction, coaching, and professional development to maximize performance and long-term impact

Education & Experience* Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field.

• 5+ years of experience in marketing, with at least 3–5 years in product marketing, enrollment marketing, or admissions marketing.

Other Skills

Alignment with Mission

Deep appreciation for Hillsdale’s commitment to classical education, Christian values, and intellectual independence; ability to embody and promote these principles to prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Code of Commitment

Be a good representative of Hillsdale College to promote the liberal arts, the College’s original Articles of Association, and operating principles stated in the Staff Code of Commitment. The College’s Mission Statement is a consideration in all aspects of the position. The teaching of the Christian faith shall remain a conspicuous aim of the College.

Physical Demands

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S339P

Open Date 11/02/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants