Position Title:Marketing and Communications Professional
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Job Description:
The Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is seeking an experienced Marketing and Communications Professional (Communications Specialist III) to lead the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that advances the center's mission and expands its impact. The center operates in a dynamic environment, collaborating with university faculty and staff, external organizations, entrepreneurs, small businesses, professional service providers, alumni, and community stakeholders.
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to independently develop and implement integrated marketing campaigns, leverage social media and digital communications to recruit participants, promote programs, highlight organizational impact, and lead cross-functional initiatives from concept to execution. The ideal candidate will also possess strong analytical skills, with experience tracking, interpreting, and communicating program metrics and outcomes to a variety of audiences. Exceptional writing and editing skills are essential for creating compelling print and digital content that aligns with the center's mission and strategic priorities.
The award-winning Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship works within and outside the university to provide education, training, experiences, and support to potential or new entrepreneurs. Stakeholders include students, faculty and staff, community members, partners, economic development colleagues, legislators, and alumni.
As the center prepares for its planned relocation from the Iowa State University Research Park to a new campus location, this position will play a key leadership role in developing and executing branding, awareness, and communications campaigns that supports the transition, increases visibility, and strengthens engagement with existing and new audiences.
Example of Duties
Provide functional leadership for the marketing and communications team, including supervising and mentoring student interns.
Train staff in marketing and communications best practices while overseeing the planning, execution, and evaluation of marketing initiatives.
Collaborate with the center's program directors to gather, develop, and promote program information, achievements, and success stories.
Lead outreach efforts to increase awareness, expand audience engagement, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and connect with alumni, supporters, prospective students, and community partners.
Oversee the creation and distribution of digital newsletters, website content, social media communications, and the center's annual printed impact report.
Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that support the center's strategic priorities and demonstrates impact
Create and manage print and digital communications, including marketing materials, feature stories, news releases, and promotional content.
Serve as the primary liaison between the center and the university's strategic marketing team, college communications partners, the university foundation, and news media to ensure consistent messaging and effective collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven professional marketing and communication skills, with experience engaging clients, news media, stakeholders, program partners, families, prospective students, or community members.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience creating media releases, web content, marketing materials, award nominations, and feature articles for digital and print publications.
Experience reviewing marketing analytics used to drive marketing strategy. Strong outreach and relationship-building experience, confidently representing programs and sharing information with various audiences.
Highly organized, with expertise in compiling, tracking, and archiving program metrics, client stories, awards, accomplishments, and participant data.
Familiarity working in university and entrepreneurial environments.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS809
Original Posting Date: July 20, 2026
Posting Close Date:August 2, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R19621
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
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By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
