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

Job Description

• This position is forOffice 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.

• This position is forOffice 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.