Syracuse University

Executive Director, Marketing Strategy

Syracuse University$131K — $148K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 10 years in marketing strategy development.
  • Preferred three or more years of higher education experience focusing on enrollment/recruitment marketing.
  • Minimum five years of experience leading and managing diverse marketing teams.
  • Proven track record of implementing successful national omnichannel marketing campaigns.
  • Strong familiarity with brand expression and marketing communications.

Responsibilities

  • Direct overarching marketing priorities and strategic plans for academic units.
  • Collaborate with different units for effective planning and prioritize marketing efforts.
  • Translate institutional strategies into actionable marketing operations.
  • Co-create impactful marketing strategies with various marketing channel teams.
  • Lead the development of marketing plans, ensuring brand alignment and stewardship.
  • Maintain strong partner relationships, aligning marketing initiatives with partner goals.
  • Oversee project timelines and budgets to ensure programs meet objectives.

Benefits

  • Supportive on-campus environment fostering student engagement and faculty collaboration.
  • Opportunity for leadership within a dynamic marketing division.
  • Access to mentorship and professional growth opportunities.
  • Engagement with a diverse community across multiple academic units.
  • Ability to shape and influence university-wide marketing strategies.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
043001

Department Code
24004-6012

Department
Marketing

Job Title
Executive Director, Marketing Strategy

Location
Syracuse, NY

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Commitment to On-Campus Experience

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range
$131,000 - $148,000

Pay Determination

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level
S6

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

Reporting to the AVP of Marketing Strategy, the Executive Director of Marketing Strategy (ED) serves as a lead marketing strategist for priority initiatives that advance enterprise-wide business goals. This role calls for an effective communicator and collaborator who can bring channel teams together to co-create and execute integrated marketing strategies.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who connects the dots between big-picture marketing vision and practical, implementable plans - someone who understands how marketing and communications can work in tandem to build the brand and advance institutional goals. As a modern marketer, the ED approaches campaigns holistically, bringing creative producers and communicators together to develop and execute effective marketing initiatives, while empowering channel owners to contribute their expertise to shared strategies.

The ED partners closely with university units to understand their business goals and objectives, translating those needs into targeted marketing strategies. Leading a team that works directly with designated schools, colleges, and academic/business units, the ED guides campaigns from concept through completion - leveraging research insights to drive measurable, results-driven outcomes.

Education and Experience
  • A bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years in marketing strategy development.
  • Three or more years of higher education experience, with a focus on enrollment/recruitment marketing and communications is preferred.
  • A minimum of five years leading and managing diverse marketing teams.
  • A track record of implementing major national omnichannel marketing campaigns which meet or exceeded stated measurable goals.


Skills and Knowledge
  • Big-picture thinker with the ability to connect dots across multiple campaigns and drive an enterprise-level approach to strategic marketing
  • Deep understanding of and experience with brand expression, including how to bring a brand to life
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, including senior executive and administrative staff, deans, faculty, and students
  • Ability to manage stressful situations in a solution-oriented way, with a positive attitude
  • Comfortable working irregular hours as needed
  • Demonstrated ability managing staff and teams
  • Ability to oversee and execute multiple projects simultaneously and effectively, even under last-minute deadlines and shifting priorities
  • Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative
  • Functions effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a willingness to assist with routine or last-minute projects
  • Excellent ability to collaborate with marketing channel experts to co-create integrated marketing plans from concept through completion
  • Ability to partner with schools/colleges and the Digital team to strategize and help drive implementation of targeted digital advertising campaigns that support overall school/college recruitment goals
  • Close visual acuity to perform tasks related to content production
  • Ability to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels, with or without correction


Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Prioritization
  • Directs and stewards the overarching marketing priorities strategic plan supporting schools/colleges and business/academic units
  • Works closely with schools/colleges, business/academic units, and other marketing teams to ensure effective prioritization and planning on an annual basis
  • Ensures resources are in place to partner with other units in building marketing plans that help advance their strategic priorities
  • Ensures teams effectively translate strategy into operations

Marketing Strategy & Campaign Development
  • Partners with Marketing and Communications channel teams to co-create impactful marketing strategies that advance targeted goals
  • Directs the development of marketing plans and related materials in partnership with channel teams
  • Applies a solid understanding of contemporary approaches to brand stewardship
  • Serves as lead marketer on special projects as needed

Partner Relationship Management
  • Maintains a deep understanding of partners' business goals to ensure integrated marketing solutions advance key partner objectives
  • Develops strong, trusting relationships with partners and ensures a coordinated approach to marketing and advertising efforts
  • Attends partner meetings
  • Applies a high degree of emotional intelligence to ensure teams are positioned as strategic marketing partners for their assigned business/academic unit

Team Leadership
  • Reviews, directs, guides, and mentors team members
  • Helps team members troubleshoot challenges as they arise

Project & Budget Management
  • Works with other leaders to ensure marketing programs roll out on time and on budget
  • Acts as a problem-solver, keeping dozens of projects on-time and on-budget
  • Spots and mitigates potential issues, while building relationships and mobilizing resources to meet goals

Organizational Leadership
  • Provides counsel to the AVP or CMCO and collaborates on building a best-in-class marketing operation
  • Stays up-to-date on industry trends
  • Performs other duties as assigned


Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/114139

Job Posting Date
08/11/2026

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York. It was founded in 1870 and has since grown to become one of the largest universities in the United States. Syracuse University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields including business, engineering, law, and the arts. The university is known for its strong programs in communications, architecture, and social sciences. Syracuse University is committed to providing students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in their chosen careers.
Learn more about Syracuse University
Size
15,000 employees
Industry

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