Executive Director, Marketing Strategy

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range

Pay Range $131,000 - $148,000

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level S6

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type

Job Type Full-time

Unionized Position Code Not Applicable

Job Description

Reporting to the AVP of Marketing Strategy, the Executive Director of Marketing Strategy (ED) serves as a lead marketing strategist for priority initiatives that advance enterprise-wide business goals. This role calls for an effective communicator and collaborator who can bring channel teams together to co-create and execute integrated marketing strategies.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who connects the dots between big-picture marketing vision and practical, implementable plans – someone who understands how marketing and communications can work in tandem to build the brand and advance institutional goals. As a modern marketer, the ED approaches campaigns holistically, bringing creative producers and communicators together to develop and execute effective marketing initiatives, while empowering channel owners to contribute their expertise to shared strategies.

The ED partners closely with university units to understand their business goals and objectives, translating those needs into targeted marketing strategies. Leading a team that works directly with designated schools, colleges, and academic/business units, the ED guides campaigns from concept through completion – leveraging research insights to drive measurable, results-driven outcomes.

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years in marketing strategy development.
• Three or more years of higher education experience, with a focus on enrollment/recruitment marketing and communications is preferred.
• A minimum of five years leading and managing diverse marketing teams.
• A track record of implementing major national omnichannel marketing campaigns which meet or exceeded stated measurable goals.

Skills and Knowledge

• Big-picture thinker with the ability to connect dots across multiple campaigns and drive an enterprise-level approach to strategic marketing
• Deep understanding of and experience with brand expression, including how to bring a brand to life
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, including senior executive and administrative staff, deans, faculty, and students
• Ability to manage stressful situations in a solution-oriented way, with a positive attitude
• Comfortable working irregular hours as needed
• Demonstrated ability managing staff and teams
• Ability to oversee and execute multiple projects simultaneously and effectively, even under last-minute deadlines and shifting priorities
• Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative
• Functions effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a willingness to assist with routine or last-minute projects
• Excellent ability to collaborate with marketing channel experts to co-create integrated marketing plans from concept through completion
• Ability to partner with schools/colleges and the Digital team to strategize and help drive implementation of targeted digital advertising campaigns that support overall school/college recruitment goals
• Close visual acuity to perform tasks related to content production
• Ability to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels, with or without correction

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Prioritization

• Directs and stewards the overarching marketing priorities strategic plan supporting schools/colleges and business/academic units
• Works closely with schools/colleges, business/academic units, and other marketing teams to ensure effective prioritization and planning on an annual basis
• Ensures resources are in place to partner with other units in building marketing plans that help advance their strategic priorities
• Ensures teams effectively translate strategy into operations
• Partners with Marketing and Communications channel teams to co-create impactful marketing strategies that advance targeted goals
• Directs the development of marketing plans and related materials in partnership with channel teams
• Applies a solid understanding of contemporary approaches to brand stewardship
• Serves as lead marketer on special projects as needed

• Maintains a deep understanding of partners' business goals to ensure integrated marketing solutions advance key partner objectives
• Develops strong, trusting relationships with partners and ensures a coordinated approach to marketing and advertising efforts
• Attends partner meetings
• Applies a high degree of emotional intelligence to ensure teams are positioned as strategic marketing partners for their assigned business/academic unit
• Reviews, directs, guides, and mentors team members
• Helps team members troubleshoot challenges as they arise

• Works with other leaders to ensure marketing programs roll out on time and on budget
• Acts as a problem-solver, keeping dozens of projects on-time and on-budget
• Spots and mitigates potential issues, while building relationships and mobilizing resources to meet goals

• Provides counsel to the AVP or CMCO and collaborates on building a best-in-class marketing operation
• Stays up-to-date on industry trends
• Performs other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

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