Associate Director- Branding & Communications

1. Job Details

Job Title

Department

Location

Reporting Manager

2. Job Purpose

• Lead all social initiatives and marketing communication efforts to create a meaningful impact across students, industry, and academia in alignment with MIT-WPU’s vision and priorities.
  
• Ensure consistent brand messaging across all communication channels, while customizing content for diverse audiences — including prospective students, current students, alumni, and industry partners.
  
• Strategically position marketing activities and social initiatives to enhance stakeholder engagement and institutional visibility.
  
• Leverage advanced tools and technologies to optimize communication effectiveness and elevate the user experience.
  
• Establish a robust framework for performance measurement, regular reporting, and campaign optimization to drive measurable ROI.
  

3. Key Accountabilities

A. Strategic

• Design and execute the overall brand marketing plan for the university and its constituent schools.
  
• Develop event, marketing, and PR strategies in collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Drive comprehensive PR initiatives covering institutional PR, program PR, faculty PR, CIAP PR, and social initiatives in partnership with internal teams and external PR agencies.
  

B. Operational

Brand Marketing

• Work with university leadership and statutory committees to establish and periodically update the admissions marketing communication plan.
  
• Identify and propose new programs or offerings based on market research, audience insights, and emerging education trends.
  
• Oversee the end-to-end student recruitment process — from lead generation to onboarding.
  
• Drive referral and word-of-mouth campaigns through alumni engagement, faculty participation, and stakeholder collaboration.
  

Corporate Events

• Develop event-specific strategies to maximize registrations, reach, and audience engagement.
  
• Manage event CRM to ensure consistent communication with participants and partners.
  
• Oversee social media, PR, and print communication for all key institutional and leadership events.
  
• Strategically position Shri Rahul V. Karad as an educational thought leader and visionary through branding and event initiatives.
  

Research Cell Marketing

• Drive communication strategies and regular engagement with the target audience.
  
• Strengthen brand presence and audience interaction through digital and social media campaigns.
  

PR, Marketing Communication & Media Strategy

• Direct marketing communications for the university, its 30 schools, and CIAP.
  
• Oversee the planning, creation, and dissemination of newsletters, alumni communications, and industry updates.
  
• Lead ATL and BTL media planning, buying, and execution across print, radio, and digital channels.
  
• Implement a data-driven content marketing strategy focusing on influencer engagement, storytelling, and audience retention.
  

Research & Development

• Continuously analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities.
  
• Explore and adopt emerging communication tools, technologies, and platforms for innovative brand engagement.
  

Financial & Budget Management

• Manage and optimize budgets across all brand marketing and communications functions, ensuring efficiency and ROI.
  

Collaborations

• Collaborate cross-functionally with academic, admissions, and CIAP teams to plan and execute integrated campaigns.
  
• Engage with external partners, media agencies, and creative vendors to ensure high-quality deliverables aligned with brand objectives.
  

Academics

• Promote a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement in all brand marketing and communication practices.
  

External Representation

• Represent MIT-WPU in professional associations, educational forums, and community engagements to strengthen institutional reputation and partnerships.
  

4. Person Specification

Leadership and Management

• Proven leadership experience in managing brand and communication functions at a senior level.
  
• Strong ability to motivate, guide, and manage diverse teams with a collaborative and goal-oriented approach.
  
• Excellent planning, organizational, and multitasking capabilities.
  

External Relations and Corporate Engagement

• Strong advocacy and networking skills with the ability to represent the university at regional and national forums.
  
• Well-established relationships with media agencies, digital marketing platforms, and PR networks.
  

Personal Attributes and Style

• Deep commitment to MIT-WPU’s vision, mission, and values.
  
• Confident leader with excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
  
• Sound decision-making abilities, particularly in complex or high-pressure situations.
  
• Integrity, emotional intelligence, and professionalism in all stakeholder interactions.
  
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution.
  

Minimum Qualification & Experience

• Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline.
  
• Minimum 15 years of experience in marketing, brand management, or communications, preferably in the education sector.
  
• At least 8 years in a leadership or senior management role.
  
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  
• Brand design and implementation
  
• Event planning and execution
  
• Strategic marketing, creative direction, and media management
  
• Relationship management with media, digital, and PR agencies