Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative Strategy

Posting Details Position Information Job TitleExecutive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative StrategyPosition Number 500657Vacancy Open to All Candidates Department CHH News and CommunicationsDepartment Homepage Department NEWS AND COMMUNICATIONSDivision ChancellorClassification Title Executive DirectorWorking Title Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative StrategyNumber of Vacancies 1Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.0Full Time or Part Time Full TimeAnticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.$93,242 - $125,000Position Location (City) GreenvillePosition TypeNon-FacultyJob Category Non-Faculty ProfessionalBe a Pirate!Be a Pirate! East Carolina University (ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which and is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn. ECU’s commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university’s leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.Primary Purpose of Organizational UnitUniversity Communication translates ECU’s message into strategic and compelling communication and campaigns through the university web site, news releases, its official social media, East magazine, storytelling, production of promotional videos and video news stories along with infographics, creation and development of promotional brochures, and annual reports. The purpose is to provide strategic communication and marketing guidance and support to increase the knowledge, understanding, appreciation and support of the University and its work with broad and varied constituencies, from prospective students to identified thought leaders to prospective donors.Through ECU News Services, University Communications performs media relations, public affairs, internal communication, and strategic communication work on behalf of the university and reports and disseminates information about events, activities, research, policies, individuals and alumni of the University, both through the media, videos, ecu.edu, the university website and through owned publications and other forums.Through Creative Services, University Communications works with all university departments to conceptualize, design, develop, and produce written, audio-visual, digital and print projects to brand, communicate, and market their messages to appropriate audiences. Creative Services also provides strategic marketing advice for the university, including performing advertising buys for the university.Primary Purpose of PositionThe Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative Strategy serves as East Carolina University’s senior executive leader responsible for stewarding and advancing the university’s institutional brand, marketing, and creative strategy as an enterprise-wide asset.Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer/Director of University Communications and with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, the position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for brand and marketing communications across the university.This role ensures that ECU presents a clear, compelling and aligned identity to its audiences while enabling effective collaboration across a complex institution. The Executive Director will direct integrated brand strategy, oversee all university-wide marketing initiatives, and drive campaigns that advance ECU’s enrollment goals, academic reputation and institutional priorities. The position leads the marketing, branding and creative services units, ensuring cohesive and high-impact communication across the ECU enterprise.The position is accountable for establishing shared direction, decision-making clarity, and performance expectations – balancing institutional coherence with unit-level needs and innovation.The Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative Strategy plays a critical role in strengthening ECU’s institutional alignment, visibility, and effectiveness. By establishing clear strategy, governance, and leadership for brand and marketing, this role enables the university to move from fragmented activity to coordinated institutional performance—supporting ECU’s mission, growth, and long-term success.Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and ExperienceAdvanced degree with 6 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience.Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field.Demonstrated success leading enterprise-level brand or marketing functions within complex organizations.Proven ability to operate effectively in decentralized or matrixed environments.Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, align, and lead across multiple stakeholder groups.All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation NonePreferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and ExperienceExperience in higher education, academic health systems, or similarly complex public institutions.Familiarity with enrollment marketing, reputation management, and stakeholder communications.Experience designing governance models, operating frameworks, or enterprise-wide standards.Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational change.Special Instructions to Applicant East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.Additional Instructions to ApplicantIn order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.Job Open Date 05/07/2026Open Until FilledYesJob Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date.Initial Screening Begins 05/22/2026Rank LevelQuick Link for Direct Access to Posting Nondiscrimination StatementEast Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice/TTY) or View email address on click.appcast.io for Employment Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.Department for People Operations, Success, and OpportunityIf you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at View phone number on click.appcast.io or toll free at View phone number on click.appcast.io or send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.