Boston University

DIRECTOR, MARKETING STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIPS, Creative Services Administration

Boston University • $120K — $150K *
Boston, MA 02115In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
5 days ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in a management role.
  • Proven track record in leading and developing high-performing marketing or communications teams.
  • Strong leadership presence with experience advising senior stakeholders.
  • Expertise in creating integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational goals.
  • Ability to convert complex goals into clear, actionable plans and measurable objectives.
  • Experience with structured planning and prioritization processes for strategic alignment.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills in a decentralized, matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing Strategy & Partnerships team to foster collaboration and best practices.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, aligning marketing strategies with University priorities.
  • Build partnerships across departments to define priorities and enhance coordination.
  • Translate partner goals into actionable communication strategies and structured briefs.
  • Oversee the creation of integrated annual and campaign-based marketing strategies.
  • Improve operational workflows and resource allocation for efficiency.
  • Drive collaboration across teams from strategy to execution and evaluation.

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Flexible work environment.
  • Engagement with a diverse academic community.
  • Access to university resources and facilities.
  • Comprehensive health benefits.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Boston Universitys External Affairs division seeks an experienced marketing leader to champion high-level strategic communication initiatives and lead a team of marketing and communication strategists. The Director of Marketing Strategy & Partnerships will report to the Assistant Vice President of Strategy & Operations and serve as the primary liaison to key leaders and communicators throughout the University. This role engages partners early to shape priorities and define objectives, while ensuring External Affairs is a trusted, collaborative partner in developing integrated, institutionally aligned marketing strategies.

What you'll do:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Strategy & Partnerships team, fostering strategic thinking, strong collaboration, and best practices for engagement.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders (deans, vice presidents, and communication leads), shaping marketing and communications strategies aligned with University priorities.
  • Build and sustain strong partnerships across schools, colleges, and administrative units, engaging leaders early to define priorities and strengthen institution-wide coordination.
  • Translate partner goals into clear communications strategies, actionable plans, and structured briefs aligned to institutional objectives.
  • Oversee the development of integrated annual and campaign-based marketing and communications strategies.
  • Drive operational excellence by improving workflows, coordination, and resource allocation across teams.
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration in a matrixed organization, aligning strategy, creative, digital, and communications teams from concept through execution and evaluation.
  • Champion brand consistency, storytelling quality, and innovation in partnership with creative leadership.
  • Monitor performance, gather insights and stakeholder feedback, and guide continuous improvement of strategies and institutional impact while educating partners on best practices and emerging trends.


Required Skills

Requirements:

  • Master's degree with 8+ years of direct experience and 5+ years of management experience or equivalent.
  • Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing marketing, communications, or strategy teams.
  • Strong leadership presence with experience influencing and advising senior stakeholders and institutional leaders.
  • Demonstrated expertise in developing and leading integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned to organizational priorities.
  • Ability to translate complex goals into clear, actionable plans, briefs, and measurable objectives.
  • Experience implementing structured intake, planning, and prioritization processes to ensure work is strategically aligned before execution.
  • Proven problem-solving capabilities. Able to be flexible and adaptable, juggling multiple tasks under deadlines.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills, with a track record of establishing and sustaining partnerships across a matrixed organization and a large, decentralized institution.
  • Strong cross-functional leadership skills, with experience aligning strategy, creative, digital, and communications teams.
  • Ability to drive operational excellence by improving workflows, prioritization, and resource allocation.
  • Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and resolve challenges.
  • Ability to use data, insights, and stakeholder feedback to evaluate effectiveness, continuously refine strategies, and make strategic recommendations. Experience in higher education, healthcare, nonprofit, or other complex, mission-driven organizations preferred.


About Boston University

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is nonsectarian but maintains its historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1839 by Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont, before moving to Boston in 1867. The university now has more than 3,900 faculty members and nearly 33,000 students, and is one of Boston's largest employers. It offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and medical, dental, business, and law degrees through 17 schools and colleges on two urban campuses. BU is a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education and the Association of American Universities.
Learn more about Boston University
Size
10,000 employees
Industry
Education, Government & Non-Profit
* Ladders Estimates

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