Posting DetailsPosting Information
Posting Number PG195003EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Executive Director for Communications and Marketing
Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience
Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; additional hours may be necessary depending on the business needs.
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department College Of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration
Essential Job Duties The College of Engineering (COE) at NC State University seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative executive to serve as the Executive Director for Communications and Marketing.
Reporting directly to the Dean, this leader serves as the chief communications officer for North Carolina's premier engineering institution, managing an integrated enterprise across 12 academic units, major research hubs, and college administration. Governing a modernized hub-and-spoke operating model, the Executive Director sets the strategic vision, brand standards, and integrated marketing strategy across 9 core academic departments, 3 affiliated departments, major research institutes, and college-wide administration.
This leader is responsible for advancing the College's national standing, driving student and faculty recruitment under state-mandated Engineering Expansion, elevating multidisciplinary research, partnering with Engineering Advancement on $50M+ annual fundraising targets, and leading crisis communications and risk mitigation. The Executive Director works in close alignment with university media relations, department heads, and executive leadership to protect and enhance institutional reputation during both routine operations and emergency/unfolding events.
Primary strategic objectives of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:Strategic Planning, Brand Elevation & Hub-and-Spoke Governance- Hub-and-Spoke Leadership: Oversee operational governance across 12 academic units and central creative teams to deliver unified brand messaging.
- Integrated Marketing & Expansion Alignment: Develop multi-channel marketing campaigns aligned with state expansion mandates to drive student yield, faculty recruitment, and research visibility.
- Digital Infrastructure & Analytics: Direct website architecture, brand assets, and analytics/audience-listening tools to measure campaign impact and optimize digital channels.
National Reputation, Media Relations & Crisis Communications- Crisis & Issues Management: Direct crisis communications strategies, establish rapid-response frameworks, and serve as senior advisor to executive leadership during high-stakes issues.
- Peer Marketing & Academic Rankings: Design and execute peer-to-peer marketing campaigns targeting academic leaders nationwide to advance national rankings (e.g., U.S. News & World Report).
- Proactive Media Relations: Partner with University Communications to secure high-profile national media coverage highlighting faculty breakthroughs and institutional milestones.
Operational Leadership, Team Management & Workflows- Team Supervision & Development: Directly supervise, coach, and evaluate permanent staff members, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
- Intake & Service Governance: Oversee digital workflow systems (Asana) governing 1,200+ annual project requests while establishing service-level agreements (SLAs) for college partners.
- Fiscal Optimization: Manage operating budgets, agency vendors, and in-house creative capabilities to maximize cost avoidance and ROI.
Executive Communications, Thought Leadership & Philanthropy- Dean's Strategic Communications: Lead executive communications for the Dean, authoring keynotes, white papers, town hall presentations, board reports, and digital messaging.
- Advancement Alignment: Partner with fundraising leadership to create compelling campaign materials supporting a $50M+ annual advancement run rate.
- Thought Leadership: Position executive leaders and distinguished faculty as national subject matter experts in priority research disciplines.
Creative Direction, Multimedia Production & Internal Engagement- Creative & Multimedia Direction: Oversee visual design, brand consistency, and in-house video production, livestreaming, and photojournalism teams.
- Internal Communications Cadence: Establish transparent, consistent internal communications channels for faculty, staff, and students across Centennial Campus.
Other Responsibilities - Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.
- Occasional business travel as needed.
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience - Requires an advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, business, higher education leadership, or a related field or relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
- Professional experience in communications, marketing, or public relations with increasing responsibility.
- Direct supervisory or management experience leading communications professionals and teams.
Other Required Qualifications - Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive, multi-channel marketing and communications strategies that align with organizational priorities and drive measurable outcomes.
- Proven track record in team building, coaching, resource management, and performance administration for professional communications staff.
- Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex organizational structures, and keep team deliverables focused on core College goals.
- Deep strategic expertise across media relations, digital marketing, executive communications, visual storytelling, brand governance, and crisis/issues management.
- Strong relationship-building skills with a proven history of establishing trust, building consensus, and collaborating effectively with executive leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Preferred Qualifications - Prior professional experience within higher education, particularly at a Research 1 (R1) university or large academic institution.
- Direct experience managing communications, marketing, or public relations in a science, engineering, technology, or research-intensive environment.
- Experience leading or working within a centralized or hub-and-spoke communications operating structure.
Required License(s) or Certification(s) Valid NC Driver's License required No
Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date 10/29/2026
Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants In addition to uploading a resume/CV and full contact information for three professional references, applicants must submit a tailored
Cover Letter (maximum 2-3 pages).
To help us evaluate your candidacy, your cover letter should specifically address the following three areas:
- Matrixed / Hub-and-Spoke Leadership: Describe your experience leading a centralized or matrixed communications team supporting multiple distinct departments, academic units, or business divisions.
- Translating Complex Concepts: Provide an example of how you have translated complex, technical, or specialized subject matter (e.g., academic research, technology, science, healthcare, finance, or policy) into high-impact campaigns that elevated organizational reputation or engagement.
- Crisis & Issues Management: Briefly outline a scenario where you advised executive leadership through a high-stakes issue, emergency, or reputational risk.
Candidates are encouraged to provide a link to an online portfolio or attach 2-3 work samples demonstrating strategic campaign planning, executive writing, or digital storytelling.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.Position Details
Position Number 00111108
Position Type EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0
Appointment 12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID 140101 - College Of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration
