Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy

Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy

Syracuse University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy (CCE), a joint initiative of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. The CCE is the first center of its kind in higher education, advancing research, partnerships, programs, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in the rapidly expanding creator economy. The Executive Director serves as the center's core administrator, strategist, and external representative, responsible for driving growth, building partnerships and fundraising, coordinating with faculty, and strengthening the center's national visibility and long-term sustainability. Reporting jointly to the Deans of Newhouse and Whitman (or their designees), the Executive Director oversees operations, strategy, fundraising, industry engagement, and program execution for the CCE. This full-time staff position requires a strong leader who brings industry experience, managerial skills, excellence in relationship-building, and the ability to translate emerging opportunities into coordinated initiatives.

Education and Experience: Minimum of a bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, business, entrepreneurship, media, or related field. Master's degree or training in a relevant discipline preferred. Significant (8+ years) leadership experience in the creator economy, media, marketing, entrepreneurship, or related industries. Ideal candidates have spent considerable time in industry as an executive in a leading firm, as an entrepreneur, or in a business-related role. Tangible evidence of notable professional contributions related to the creator economy to illustrate strength of background and accomplishments. Minimum of 5 years of managerial experience overseeing a high performing team and possessing the collaboration skills to create partnerships across campus and in industry. Experience supporting academic program coordination or interdisciplinary initiatives.

Skills and Knowledge: Excellent network connectivity within creator, media, or digital entrepreneurship sectors to help drive industry connectivity, solicit stakeholder support, and to establish the CCE in a highly visible position. Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, and ability to generate excitement internally and externally. Demonstrated collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial mindset. Needs to be proactive and forward thinking, including an ability to emphasize problem solving, multi-task multiple priorities, deal with complex projects, and work with a variety of stakeholders. Positive attitude and willingness to continuously innovate and improve. Commitment to creating an environment welcoming to all, with exemplary emphasis on ethical leadership and community-building.

Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Administration Provide senior leadership and administrative oversight for all CCE initiatives. Coordinate strategic priorities and projects with a team of faculty, staff and senior leadership. Manage the project coordinator and oversee day-to-day center operations. Lead strategic planning efforts, monitor progress toward long-term goals, and create initiatives to achieve aspirational goals. Serve as the primary internal and external representative for the CCE. Fundraising, Partnerships & Financial Sustainability Work with the Deans (or their designees) and the Advancement team to identify, cultivate, and steward donors, sponsors, and grant opportunities. Build and maintain partnerships with creators, agencies, brands, platforms, and investors. Develop or support net revenue-generating programs, including executive education and professional development initiatives. Oversee the center's operating budget, financial projections, and fiscal strategy. Create and implement plans that strengthen the CCE's financial sustainability and long-term resource base. This is an active, externally-facing role requiring travel estimated at 25-30% with the potential for additional travel to drive fundraising, partnership development, and industry engagement. Research, Thought Leadership & Industry Engagement Support the development of interdisciplinary research connected to the creator economy. Coordinate the development of annual reports, white papers, case studies, and trend analyses for academic and practitioner/industry audiences. Organize signature CCE events, roundtables, and creator convenings. Oversee the planning, execution, and funding of major events, including CUSE Creator Con, external engagements, and additional center programming. Expand opportunities for faculty, staff, and students through industry collaboration. Academic & Program Support Support faculty as they coordinate creator-economy content within existing curricula across schools. Assist academic units with integrating creator-economy themes into relevant programs. Connect faculty and students to experiential programming, including workshops, creator talks, competitions, and applied learning opportunities. Other Duties as Assigned Contribute to additional projects as necessary.