Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Digital Strategy

Position Summary

UCLA Strategic Communications brings UCLA's mission and values to life through compelling storytelling, strategic communications, and integrated marketing initiatives that advance the University's priorities, reputation, and impact.

Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications, the Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Digital Strategy serves as UCLA's senior leader for institutional brand management, marketing, digital strategy, and audience engagement. The incumbent is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive brand, marketing, and content strategies that define UCLA's voice, positioning, messaging, and audience engagement across the institution.

The Executive Director oversees a broad portfolio that includes institutional brand stewardship, digital strategy, creative services, experiential marketing, admission marketing, and enterprise content strategy. The role serves as the primary owner of key institutional assets, and partners with campus stakeholders to ensure consistent and effective implementation of UCLA's brand across the University.

As a member of the Strategic Communications executive leadership team, the Executive Director leads a team of approximately 45 professionals and provides strategic leadership for marketing, communications, digital engagement, creative services, and project management functions. The position also provides executive oversight for Administration Marketing & Communications, ensuring alignment between UCLA's institutional brand strategy and the communications, marketing, creative, digital, and engagement initiatives supporting UCLA Administration and its business units.

Working closely with senior leaders across the University, the Executive Director develops and advances integrated marketing and communications strategies that strengthen visibility, enhance stakeholder engagement, support institutional priorities, and drive organizational effectiveness. Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications, the Executive Director establishes departmental goals, priorities, and strategic initiatives, with performance measured through the successful execution of strategic plans, achievement of organizational objectives, and demonstrated impact against established goals and metrics.

Salary & Compensation

UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Fifteen (15) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in marketing, communications, brand management, or related functions, including significant experience developing and exec (Required)
• Extensive experience overseeing multi-channel marketing and communications programs, including digital, social media, creative services, web strategy, content development, and experiential marketing. (Required)
• Demonstrated experience leading creative development, campaign planning, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration in support of organizational priorities. (Required)
• Demonstrated experience managing complex organizations, multiple concurrent priorities, and large-scale initiatives with competing deadlines while maintaining exceptional quality and attention to deta (Required)
• Proven leadership and supervisory experience, including organizational design, talent development, performance management, succession planning, workload allocation, and fostering high-performing teams (Required)
• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated marketing, communications, and brand strategies that advance organizational priorities and strengthen institutional reputation. (Required)
• Exceptional strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate organizational objectives into actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes. (Required)
• Demonstrated expertise in brand management, audience engagement, messaging development, content strategy, and organizational positioning. (Required)
• Comprehensive knowledge of marketing and communications disciplines, including digital strategy, social media, web communications, creative services, content development, and experiential marketing. (Required)
• Proven ability to lead creative development, campaign planning, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration in support of complex organizational goals. (Required)
• Demonstrated success developing innovative, results-oriented marketing and communications programs that balance creativity, strategic priorities, and business needs. (Required)
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence, advise, and build credibility with senior leaders and diverse stakeholder groups. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, establish priorities, meet demanding deadlines, and maintain exceptional quality and attention to detail. (Required)
• Proven leadership and management skills, including organizational planning, talent development, performance management, coaching, succession planning, and fostering high-performing teams. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships, navigate complex organizational environments, and achieve results through influence, consultation, and consensus-building. (Required)
• Strong organizational judgment, discretion, and professionalism, including the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, exercise sound decision-making, and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and organizational levels. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Schedule

Schedule based on operational needs, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered

Complete Position Description