Email Automation & Data Specialist

INTRODUCTION:

University of the People (UoPeople) is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited, 100% online university. Today, UoPeople has over 170,000 students enrolled from more than 200 countries and territories, including 18,800 students who are refugees. UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is recognized by the DEAC as an accredited online University.

We believe that higher education is a basic human right and that it can transform not only the lives of students, but also their families' lives, their communities, their nations, and, by extension, the world. See President Reshef’s TED talk when he announced the founding of the University.( TED talk )

UoPeople is an innovative university, and we welcome team members who bring creativity and innovation to their roles. We’re a fast-paced organization with remote teams all around the globe. If you’re a self-starter who wants to succeed alongside a passionate team, we’d love to hear from you!

UoPeople is supported by the generosity of individuals and foundations, including the Gates, Hewlett, Ford Foundations, Fondation Hoffmann, and others. The University has been covered by the New York Times, BBC, NPR, Times Higher Education, US News and World Report, and more. President Reshef’s TED Talk and Nas Daily interview about the University have 30 million views combined

Role Overview :

The Email Automation Specialist plays a critical role in shaping and executing student communication journeys across the lifecycle—from onboarding and engagement to retention and progression. This role is responsible for building, managing, and optimizing automated email programs that support student success and institutional retention goals. This is a hands-on, highly collaborative role for a data-driven marketer with deep experience in email automation, audience segmentation, and performance analysis. The ideal candidate is both strategic and execution-focused, with a strong ability to turn data insights into meaningful improvements in student communications.

Key Responsibilities :

Email Campaign Strategy & Developmen t

• Develop, execute, and manage email campaigns including automated journeys, announcements, lifecycle communications, newsletters, and targeted outreach.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to translate communication needs into structured email strategies aligned with retention and student experience goals.

• Collaborate with creative and content teams to ensure messaging is clear, engaging, and student-centered

Email Automation & Journey Management

• Build, manage, and optimize automated email workflows using Dynamics for Marketing.

• Own retention-focused email journeys end-to-end, including strategy, segmentation, testing, deployment, and continuous optimization.

• Configure triggers, logic, and personalization rules to deliver timely, relevant Communications based on student behavior and status.

• Maintain and evolve complex multi-step journeys supporting onboarding, academic milestones, re-engagement, and persistence.

Email Data Analysis & Optimization

• Analyze email performance across key metrics including open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, engagement trends, and journey completion.

• Conduct regular reporting and performance reviews to identify opportunities for Optimization across content, timing, segmentation, and journey structure.

• Design and execute A/B and multivariate tests, interpret results, and apply insights to improve engagement and retention outcomes.

• Partner with stakeholders to translate data insights into actionable recommendations that improve student communication strategies.

• Monitor long-term trends across cohorts to inform lifecycle strategy and continuous Improvement efforts.

List Management & Segmentation

• Manage and maintain subscriber lists, ensuring data accuracy, hygiene, and proper suppression logic.

• Develop and maintain audience segments based on demographics, academic status, engagement behavior, and lifecycle stage.

• Ensure segmentation strategies align with institutional goals and communication Priorities. Compliance &

Compliance & Best Practices

• Ensure all email communications comply with applicable regulations including CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and institutional policies.

• Stay current on email marketing best practices, accessibility standards, and deliverability guidelines.

• Maintain consistent documentation of workflows, journeys, and testing Frameworks. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, advising, academic, and operations teams to align email strategies with broader institutional initiatives.

• Collaborate with designers and developers to create visually engaging, accessible email templates.

• Support cross-functional projects related to student engagement and lifecycle communication.

Required Qualifications & Experience Core Requirements

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in email marketing automation, with preferred experience using Dynamics for Marketing.

• Strong understanding of email automation architecture, lifecycle journeys, and segmentation strategies.

• Excellent written English communication skills, with strong copywriting and editing abilities.

• Proficiency in HTML/CSS for email development and troubleshooting.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workflows and deadlines simultaneously.

Email Data Analysis Experience

• Proven experience analyzing email performance data and using insights to drive optimization decisions.

• Hands-on experience tracking and interpreting email KPIs such as engagement rates, conversion metrics, and funnel performance.

• Experience designing and executing A/B tests and applying results to improve campaign effectiveness.

• Ability to translate data into clear insights and actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

• Comfort working with large datasets, segmented audiences, and performance Dashboards.

Additional Skills & Attributes

• Experience working with email marketing platforms – most importantly Dynamics for Marketing

• Strong attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset.

• Creative problem solver with a test-and-learn approach.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a cross-functional environment.

• Passion for education, student success, and mission-driven work