Executive Director of Marketing & Brand

Executive Director of Marketing & Brand

University of California, Berkeley is seeking an Executive Director of Marketing & Brand to lead marketing communications, brand management, and licensing efforts. The role reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor Communications & Public Affairs and will oversee a team of professionals to advance the UC Berkeley and Cal Athletics brands.

Job Summary

Lead marketing communications, institutional and Cal Athletics brand management, trademarks and licensing, reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor Communications & Public Affairs, Chief Communications Officer. Oversee a team of professionals focused on advancing the UC Berkeley brand and revenue‑generating strategies through compelling marketing communications, including digital communications that inspire and engage audiences.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of a team of professionals responsible for brand management, trademarks and licensing (including revenue generation), marketing communications, and digital/social media. Provides leadership in hiring, training, mentoring, and evaluating staff. Directs, assigns, and reviews work, and takes corrective action as necessary. Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, performance, and professional growth. Ensures staff deliver high‑quality communications products that reflect institutional standards and priorities.
• Directs staff in protecting the integrity of UC Berkeley’s institutional brand identity and related marks, ensuring compliance with brand standards across campus. Oversees staff review and approval of requests to use and license university trademarks, logo lockups, new logos, or exceptions to brand standards. Partners with campus leaders and communications colleagues to ensure unit branding aligns with institutional identity. Provides oversight of the design system and brand guidelines that govern usage of brand elements including logos, typography, color palettes, and photography.
• Supervises staff in developing and implementing integrated marketing communications strategies in partnership with the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations. Directs advertising and marketing campaigns that elevate Berkeley’s institutional narrative and reflect the university’s excellence.
• Oversees staff responsible for digital communications and social media strategy across all platforms. Provides supervisory guidance in planning, content development, platform management, and performance optimization. Ensures staff apply emerging best practices to deliver an effective and modern digital presence.
• Oversees coordination with external vendors, including brand strategists, developers, marketing and PR agencies, illustrators, photographers, and printers. Ensures vendor work meets institutional standards, deadlines, and budgets. Provides high‑level oversight of production processes, including publishing, web design, and print, to support staff in delivering high‑quality final products.

Required Qualifications

• Significant years of progressive marketing and brand leadership experience, with a proven track record of leading cross‑functional teams, managing complex enterprise initiatives, and driving strategic outcomes at scale.
• Stays abreast of contemporary and changing trends and policies in branding and marketing.
• Advanced knowledge of design and communications concepts and applicable software applications.
• Advanced knowledge of production processes for a variety of media and knowledge of vendor requirements for a variety of products.
• Advanced design, creative and artistic skills.
• Advanced skills to devise broad design ideas, present them to clients, and produce results on time and within budget.
• Advanced interpersonal communications skills, including active listening skills and ability to work effectively within teams and to provide advanced design advice and consultation to clients on all aspects of visual communications.
• Critical thinking skills, advanced organizational skills and proactive problem‑solving/problem resolution skills.
• Knowledge of visual journalism, photography and informational graphics as they apply to the needs of the Berkeley News team.
• Ability to “lead from the middle” and coach, facilitate and influence people at all levels.
• Advanced knowledge of marketing.
• Advanced knowledge of digital communications for effectiveness in marketing.
• Knowledge of UC Berkeley, including its vision, mission, goals, and objectives, or ability to quickly learn.
• Advanced team leadership, ensuring high performance and measurable results.
• Strategic marketing and brand leadership skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into integrated campaigns that advance visibility, engagement, and impact.
• Advanced strategic thinking and project implementation skills.
• Advanced collaboration skills to work with diverse stakeholders within a complex, decentralized, matrixed organization.
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive, reputational, or escalated issues with discretion and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments and navigate competing stakeholder priorities to drive strategic outcomes.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of higher education trademarks and licensing; creative thinking that leads to revenue generation.
• Capacity for creative innovation and continuous improvement, staying abreast of evolving opportunities and challenges of higher education.
• Experience with brand governance and identity management, with the ability to interpret complex brand guidelines and ensure stakeholder compliance with institutional standards and trademark usage.
• Experience working with large collegiate brands or athletics organizations, with familiarity in navigating Athletics brand environments, vendor relationships, and NCAA‑related considerations.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California’s Compensation & Benefits website. The budgeted salary for this position is $190,000.00 – $230,000.00. The full range for the job classification is $138,200.00 – $271,200.00.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.