Manager/Senior Manager, Brand Stewardship Manager (2-year contract), OCCM

Responsibilities

• This position is for Office of Corporate Communications and Marketing (OCCM).
• Brand Stewardship & Governance
• Manage and continuously strengthen SMU's brand governance framework, ensuring consistent application of the SMU brand across internal and external communications.
• Manage and maintain the SMU Brand Guide and Brand Portal as key sources of brand standards, resources and guidance.
• Review brand-related requests and provide clear, practical guidance to schools, offices and other University stakeholders on brand application, visual identity and communications.
• Monitor brand compliance across SMU and work with stakeholders to address and resolve issues where required.
• Develop and deliver regular brand engagement and education initiatives to build awareness and adoption of the SMU brand across the University.
• Support the development and management of SMU's brand properties, e.g. SMOO SMOO, merchandise and events.
• Brand Strategy, Research & Insights
• Manage SMU's annual Brand Tracker Study and Dashboard, including research agency management, study design, fieldwork, analysis and reporting.
• Leverage brand insights to support schools, offices and other SMU units in developing and refining their narratives, ensuring alignment with SMU's overarching brand positioning, proposition and strategic direction.
• Provide strategic brand counsel to internal stakeholders on narrative development, messaging and brand expression.
• Brand Campaigns & Marketing
• Support the development and execution of regional brand campaigns, including translating strategic objectives into effective brand and media plans.
• Work with media and creative agencies to plan, execute, monitor and optimise campaigns against agreed KPIs.
• Track campaign performance and provide regular analysis and recommendations to improve effectiveness and return on investment.
• Manage partnerships and negotiations with media/creative agencies and media owners.
• Develop and oversee the creation of assets for brand campaigns.
• Manage project budgets, ensuring effective planning, utilisation and financial accountability.
• Support procurement, tender exercises and contract negotiations for assigned projects
• Project and Budget Management
• City Perspective - Work with internal stakeholders and agency on curating content and reviewing creative assets, to ensure the continuity of CP as SMU's thought leadership platform.
• Brand Workshops - Organise Brand Workshop twice a year to connect with the SMU Community and raise awareness on where they can find resources pertaining to marketing and brand.
• Process Optimization - Review and automate manual and time-consuming work process (BP, Brand Compliance).
• Vendor and Budget management - Responsible for planning and utilization of budgets on assigned projects; manage vendor deliverables and lead the annual negotiation with media owners on master contracts.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Brand Marketing or Social Science Degree with at least 6 to 8 years work experience.
• Familiarity with media and social media channels, writing, interpersonal communications, brand strategy and brand communications.
• Competencies, Skills and Knowledge
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, positioning, identity and brand governance.
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, faculty and colleagues, and secure buy-in for brand recommendations and creative concepts.
• Strong strategic and creative judgement, with the ability to translate brand strategy into compelling messaging, design and experiences.
• Ability to conduct competitive and market mapping to assess brand positioning, messaging and emerging opportunities.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret research findings and campaign metrics; with the ability to connect data to campaign outcomes.
• Experience across brand development, naming, visual identity, copywriting, merchandising, digital channels and internal brand engagement.
• Strong project, agency and vendor management skills, including briefing, evaluating creative work and managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to manage budgets effectively and ensure value for money.
• Good understanding of social media, digital platforms and emerging tools that can strengthen brand engagement and consistency.
• Experience in event activation and brand properties would be advantageous.
• Soft Skills
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong time-management and organisational skills.
• Diplomatic but confident, with the ability to challenge constructively when needed.
• Proactive, resourceful and solutions-oriented; able to think on their feet.
• Collaborative and comfortable working across different teams and functions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Adaptable and resilient in managing competing priorities and stakeholder feedback.
• Creative, curious and attuned to cultural, design and digital trends.
• Sound judgement, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
  

Other Information

Candidates who do not possess the stipulated qualifications but have relevant work experience may still apply. Remuneration and appointment terms shall commensurate with qualifications and experience. SMU reserves the right to modify the appointment terms where necessary.