Communications Manager, Graduate Admissions at Emerson College in Boston, MA

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The Communications Manager, Graduate Admissions leads and executes the communication strategy for the Office of Graduate Admissions. This role is responsible for ensuring clear, consistent, and strategic messaging to prospective students, applicants, and admitted students. Working closely with the Senior Marketing Manager and graduate Programs, the Graduate Communications Manager develops and manages the tone and voice of all outbound communications, ensuring alignment with institutional branding and enrollment objectives. Additionally, this position plays a key role in enhancing communication workflows, leveraging CRM capabilities, and optimizing engagement strategies to drive enrollment and improve the student experience.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Serve as the primary communications lead for the Office of Graduate Admissions, overseeing the creation, editing, maintenance, and deployment of all admissions-related communications.
Develop and implement a comprehensive, data-driven communication strategy to engage prospective students, applicants, and admitted students at every stage of the enrollment process.
Ensure all messaging aligns with institutional branding and is effectively targeted to specific audiences.
Utilize Slate CRM to develop, manage, and optimize automated workflows, audience segmentation, and personalized communication sequences.
Identify and implement strategic communication touchpoints to drive conversion at key enrollment milestones, including inquiry, application submission, admission decisions, and matriculation.
Lead efforts to streamline and integrate communications across various offices to ensure a seamless, coordinated experience for prospective and admitted students.
Collaborate with the Senior Marketing Manager and graduate Programs to develop and deploy multi-channel communication assets, including email campaigns, digital content, print materials, direct mail, social media, event communications, and blog content.
Monitor engagement metrics and analyze communication effectiveness to refine strategies and enhance outreach efforts.
Serve as a liaison for prospective students in designated programs, providing admissions counseling, guidance, and personalized communication.
Conduct proactive outreach via phone, email, and other channels to support prospective students in the admissions process.
Represent the institution at events, presentations, and meetings to promote graduate programs and communicate their value to prospective students.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistency and efficiency in messaging and student engagement efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the objectives of the Office of Graduate Admissions.

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively.

A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is required; a Master’s Degree preferred
3–5 years of experience in graduate admissions, higher education communications, or a related field is required.
Experience managing communication plans and marketing campaigns within a CRM system, preferably Slate.
Experience in customer service, admissions counseling, or student recruitment preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

Strong writing, editing, and messaging development skills with experience in crafting targeted, audience-specific communications.
Excellent project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
Proficiency in data analysis and reporting to assess communication effectiveness and improve engagement strategies.
Proficiency with CRM systems and marketing automation tools (Slate experience preferred).
Expertise in developing and executing strategic communication plans.
Strong understanding of enrollment management principles and best practices in admissions communications.
Ability to create compelling, student-focused messaging that resonates with diverse audiences.
Analytical mindset with the ability to track, assess, and optimize communication effectiveness.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently while also contributing to a team-oriented environment.
Commitment to delivering high-quality service and fostering positive relationships with prospective students and stakeholders.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requires the ability to lift and move light objects
Requires the ability to move materials occasionally
Ability to sit or stand for long periods
Ability to concentrate for long periods

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Usual Office Conditions
Ability to travel as needed; valid driver’s license required.

Disclaimer: 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 may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job duties described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Compensation: $57,250.00 - $70,200.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-07E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division: Division of Enrollment

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.