Executive Director of Marketing and Communications

About the role

The Executive Director of Marketing and Communications provides strategic leadership for all internal and external marketing, communications, branding, and public relations functions for the College of Business. This senior leadership role is responsible for advancing the college's reputation, enrollment goals, fundraising priorities, and stakeholder engagement through integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned with the university's mission and brand.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year marketing and communications strategy that supports the College of Business’s strategic plan, enrollment targets, fundraising goals, and reputation management initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Sr Executive Dean of Strategic Initiatives and senior leadership on branding, positioning, messaging, and communications opportunities.
• Ensure alignment with university-wide brand standards, messaging frameworks, and marketing priorities.
• Lead brand management efforts to strengthen and differentiate the College of Business’s identity regionally, nationally, and globally.
• Oversee marketing campaigns supporting undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs, including recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives.
• Direct market research, audience segmentation, and competitive analysis to inform strategy and investment decisions.
• Oversee internal and external communications, including websites, email marketing, social media, print materials, digital content, and advertising.
• Cook up media relations strategy with University Communications, including proactive storytelling, rankings submissions, awards, and faculty expertise promotion.
• Develop crisis and issues communication plans for the college.
• Guide digital strategy across web, social media, and emerging platforms. Ensure consistent, compelling storytelling that highlights faculty research, student achievements, alumni impact, and corporate partnerships.
• Oversee analytics and reporting to measure effectiveness and ROI of marketing and communications efforts.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a professional marketing and communications team, including goal setting, performance management, and professional development.
• Manage departmental budgets, external vendors, agencies, and consultants.
• Establish workflows and project management processes to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Serve as primary liaison between the College of Business and central university marketing, communications, IT, and enrollment management offices.
• Represent the college on university committees and task forces related to marketing, communications, and branding.
• Perform other duties as assigned and participate in special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in marketing and communications, preferably in higher education, complex public-sector organizations, or mission-driven institutions.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Prominent leadership and people-management experience, including budget oversight.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing digital platforms, analytics, and vendors/agencies.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience in a College of Business, research university, or similarly complex academic environment.
• Familiarity with enrollment marketing, advancement communications, and alumni engagement.
• Knowledge of accreditation, rankings, and reputational initiatives within business education (e.g., AACSB).

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution.
• Brand management and differentiation.
• Market research and audience segmentation.
• Media relations and crisis communication.
• Digital strategy and platform management.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Team leadership and mentorship.
• Budget management and vendor oversight.
• Project management and workflow establishment.
• Liaison and committee representation.

Benefits

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. These include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $200,000. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

Schedule

N/A