Special Projects and Marketing Specialist

About the University

Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students who were underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences did not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado's extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today's college students.

Proud of its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado, the University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values: Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff.

About the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

The College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at the University, housing nineteen academic departments, five centers and institutes, and numerous programs focused on community service, social justice, and global discovery. The College embraces and celebrates the diverse, intersectional identities of our students, faculty, and staff and works to create a community where all members can thrive through belonging, expression, and positive influence in shaping one other.

Position Summary

The Special Projects and Marketing Specialist plays an important role in supporting the implementation of the College's priority initiatives. Working closely with the College's Communications and Marketing Specialist, this position contributes to the execution of approved projects and marketing efforts that advance the College's goals and values. While strategic direction and priorities are established by the Deans' Leadership Team, this role focuses on coordinating, implementing, and supporting that work through organized, high-quality execution.

Positioned within a highly collaborative environment, the Specialist supports complex, cross-functional initiatives that span multiple departments and campus partners. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while working within established guidance, timelines, and standards and the ability to build productive relationships across a complex organization.

Responsibilities include project coordination and delivery, executing marketing efforts, overseeing design planning and management, and taking on additional responsibilities that support College priorities as they evolve. The College values applicants who bring experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who demonstrate a commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice. We welcome candidates who support efforts to broaden access to higher education for underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. This position reports to the CLAS Assistant Dean for Operations.

Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Delivery - 40%

Supports the execution of College-level initiatives by coordinating project components based on direction from the Deans' Leadership Team and College leadership. This includes translating established priorities into actionable project plans; coordinating timelines, workflows, and deliverables; and monitoring progress against schedules and milestones. The Specialist tracks project status, identifies potential issues or risks, and communicates updates to internal stakeholders to support timely delivery. Responsibilities also include maintaining project documentation and preparing progress summaries and informational reports that support transparency, coordination, and effective initiative rollout.

Marketing - 30%

Executes College- and department-level marketing initiatives that support student recruitment, enrollment, and visibility of CLAS disciplines and programs. Coordinates across College departments to support targeted marketing and advertising efforts aligned with approved goals and messaging. Works collaboratively with University Communications and Marketing to coordinate marketing assets such as photography, videography, and promotional materials as needed. Tracks campaign activity and outcomes, evaluates effectiveness using available data, and prepares summary reports to support data-informed planning and continuous improvement. All marketing efforts apply inclusive, student-centered practices and adhere to College and University standards, branding guidelines, and the College's access-oriented mission.

Design Planning and Management - 15%

Supports the planning, development, and production of visual and graphic design assets that advance College initiatives and priorities. Translates approved concepts into high-quality print and digital materials, including presentations, templates, brochures, flyers, posters, signage, and digital graphics. Manages incoming design requests, prepares files for print and digital production, coordinates production timelines, and ensures deliverables meet College and University branding, accessibility, and quality standards. Collaborates with University partners as needed to support coordinated development of visual assets.

Additional Duties - 15%

Provides additional support for College priorities through duties as assigned. May contribute to team-based efforts with the CLAS Communications and Marketing Team, including support for website updates and maintenance, events, social media activities, and special projects. Responsibilities may also include supervising student employees, serving on committees, and supporting cross-College initiatives that advance the College's mission and day-to-day operations.

Job Competencies

• Demonstrates values-based leadership by modeling CADRE values, building trust through self-awareness and emotional intelligence, seeking feedback, and navigating conflict productively.
• Ensures operational effectiveness by managing priorities, time, and resources responsibly, adhering to policies, delivering measurable results, and meeting performance expectations.
• Aligns individual work with team and departmental goals by contributing to shared priorities, seeking clarity, and adapting to change in support of the 2030 Strategic Plan.
• Practices collaboration by communicating clearly, checking for understanding, building strong relationships, and engaging diverse perspectives to achieve shared outcomes.
• Advances equity and belonging with awareness of culture and potential biases, listens openly to diverse perspectives, contributing to respectful and inclusive work relationships.
• Innovates by developing professional skills, staying informed on relevant trends, and identifying opportunities to improve processes and outcomes.

Job Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and creative teams
• Working knowledge of branding standards, accessibility principles, and inclusive practices, with a foundational understanding of equity, inclusion, and justice

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, design, or a related field
• Minimum three years of professional experience in marketing, project coordination, or a related functional area
• Demonstrated experience executing marketing initiatives or campaigns based on established strategy or leadership direction
• Demonstrated project coordination experience, including managing timelines, deliverables, and multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience producing digital and/or print marketing materials, including photography and videography

Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet allrequired qualifications and the job knowledge and skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience executing marketing initiatives in a higher education or multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience supporting student recruitment, enrollment, or program visibility.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Experience coordinating photography, videography, or advertising assets.
• Experience tracking and analyzing engagement or marketing performance metrics (e.g., Google Analytics, Hootsuite, platform insights).
• Experience producing inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive materials.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, and the University.

Schedule Information

• Full time, 40 hrs/week
• Exempt
• Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Evenings and weekend work: Several times a semester for events
• Schedule: On campus, in person position with the potential for some remote opportunities based upon program need and supervisor approval

Salary for Announcement

Under Colorado law, MSU Denver is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The anticipated hiring range that the university reasonably expects to pay for this position is $60,000 - $70,000.

This position is paid monthly and is eligible for MSU Denver benefits.

Instructions to Apply

Interested applicants must apply online at MSU Denver's career site, https://msudenver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/MSUDenver and search for JR105267.

The following documents are required to be included with your application:

• Resume

• Cover letter that addresses how your experience would directly serve the University's mission

• Portfolio of work samples (3-6 samples of relevant work)

Due to volume of applications received, only applications completed as outlined above will be considered. Please ensure you have uploaded all required documents into the Resume/Cover letter section of the application. A maximum of 5 files can be uploaded; you may combine all documents into one pdf file if needed.

Professional references and their contact information will be requested from the finalist/s. At least one reference provided must be a supervisor (either current or former).

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline

Applications accepted until position is filled; priority given to applications received by Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST.

Open Until Filled

The University's benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as accessto a long-term disability (LTD) plan.Visit MSU Denver'sbenefits websiteto learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.