
SARA KIES
MARKETING DIRECTOR, DESIGNER, DIGITAL STRATEGIST
Strategically targeted marketing can be a challenge in any organization, including higher education. It requires an understanding of what a prospective student needs to hear, what they need to feel, an innovative mindset to think beyond what’s always been done and the confidence to pivot if the metrics are in the red.
I am an award-winning marketing professional with a 20-year track record of providing marketing vision, strategy and leadership for various clients in the financial, food service, and higher education industries. In-depth experience in digital marketing strategy development, market research and analysis, journey automation implementation through Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Hubspot, HTML/CSS, Drupal, budget development/management, and team building.

DIGITAL STRATEGY
SOME OF MY PLANS. SEE MORE >
75%
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
70%
95%
SOME OF MY DESIGN WORK. SEE MORE >
85%
80%
85%
80%

Experience
2013-PRESENT
SARA KIES
MARKETING & DESIGN
Digital Marketing Consultant
Develop and execute traditional and digital marketing strategies for a variety of local and national contractual clients
2021-PRESENT
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Asst. Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy
Strategic development and implementation of marketing and branding activities that serve to advance awareness of the university brand and recruit prospective students into the recruitment funnel
2015-2021
UNIVERSITY OF
NORTHERN IOWA
Marketing and Communications Manager
Directed all digital and traditional marketing, advertising, and communications initiatives for the College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa
2013-2015
MARTIN BROS. DISTRIBUTING
Marketing Manager
Managed marketing strategy, team, budget and creative initiatives for Midwestern-based food service distribution company
2012-2013
SPINUTECH
Marketing Strategist/Web Developer
Designed websites and developed online strategies for a variety of clients and industries.
2001-2012
PFGBEST/WASENDORF GROUP OF COMPANIES
Director of Marketing, Creative and Communications
Managed marketing, communications and creative initiatives for the Wasendorf family of companies including, PFGBEST, W&A Publishing, Traders Press, MyVerona Ristorante Italiano.
CONTACT ME
Contact me if you're looking for a marketing leader who’s been in the trenches–someone who is willing to roll up her sleeves, pave new ground, and, most importantly, has the vision and confidence to empower a team to believe that nothing is out of reach.
sarakies@me.com
319-239-4008