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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State is currently seeking a Marketing Operations Specialist to lead the architecture and implementation of digital marketing programs and provide market research capabilities to support the association’s mission of connecting alumni to the University and to each other, provide valued services to members, and support the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, you can play an integral role in Penn State’s future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Marketing and Operations and working closely with teams across the division as well as other partners, this Marketing Operations Specialist will:
Develop an understanding of the Penn State Alumni Association’s target audiences and their engagement/membership journey, becoming the subject-matter expert in how to leverage available data to drive effective marketing and engagement strategies;
Articulate Penn State’s needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;
Understand University disparate data systems and work closely with team members throughout the division to extract, integrate, and report on data to support audience segmentation, targeted outreach, trend analysis, and decision-making;
Represent the alumni association’s data function by serving as a key stakeholder in data governance, and in planning and execution for future initiatives;
Manage and optimize the association’s Marketing Automation function including architecting and implementing data-driven multidimensional campaigns and customer journeys to support association wide engagement efforts;
Develop and maintain processes and actionable reporting solutions to track association activities including constituent engagement and channel effectiveness;
Manage market research projects including preparing research plans, establishing timelines, managing research project budgets, managing vendors, coordinating data collection and entry, preparing written reports, giving presentations, and developing appropriate research methodologies;
The successful candidate will have:
passion for data analysis including data exploration, problem solving, and driving data-driven decisions;
experience in the creation of personalized marketing experiences;
a solid understanding of marketing automation;
professional experience with a variety of marketing solutions including sophisticated email platforms, marketing automation systems, web content management systems, CRM’s, event management platforms, and digital asset management systems;
Strong attention to detail;
creative problem solving;
ability to establish and manage multiple priorities, and drive simultaneous projects to completion;
Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;
strong process, data and analytical skills that can support engagement workflow and productivity;
The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;
A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored;
Experience with Salesforce, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Salesforce Engagement Cloud are highly desirable.
DDAR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Marketing Strategist - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Marketing Strategist - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations
If you believe in the power of higher education—and philanthropy—to shape the public good, you’ll excel right here in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR). Our organization includes more than 500 professionals engaging a community of more than 800,000 alumni who believe in the power of giving back. Across our interdisciplinary teams of fundraisers, alumni relations professionals, communicators, event planners, financial experts, and more, there is a place for you to make a difference in the lives of students and faculty while taking your own career to new heights. Learn more about us at raise.psu.edu and explore the success of our most recent campaign at greaterpennstate.psu.edu.
Building a Career and a Life at Penn State
Across all campuses and an online World Campus, our 100,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the globe. Penn State consistently ranks among the top academic and research universities in the world: psu.edu/this-is-penn-state/facts-and-rankings
This position is based at the University Park campus, located in State College, Pennsylvania. State College is ranked among the lowest-stress and safest small cities in the country, with excellent public schools, beautiful parks and other natural assets, and a broad range of cultural and athletic events and venues: statecollegepa.us and statecollege.com
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $108,444.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3+ years of relevant experience (Advanced Professional) or 6+ years of relevant experience (Senior Professional)
- Solid understanding of marketing automation and experience managing marketing automation functions
- Experience with email marketing platforms
- Experience with web content management systems (CMS)
- Experience with CRM systems
- Experience with event management platforms
- Experience with digital asset management systems
- Strong data and analytical skills, including data exploration and problem solving
- Experience creating personalized marketing experiences and audience segmentation
- Strong attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive simultaneous projects to completion
- Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team; self-motivated
- Commitment to professional development and being mentored
- Experience with Salesforce
- Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Experience with Salesforce Engagement Cloud
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
