Carnegie Mellon University is seeking an Executive Director for Advancement Communications & Marketing to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for integrated communications, marketing, branding, and digital campaigns. The role reports to the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Communications and Marketing and requires strategic leadership in developing communications strategies that support fundraising, institutional initiatives, and university priorities. The ideal candidate will have 7-10 years of communications/marketing experience, demonstrate expertise in data-driven communications, emerging technologies, and team leadership, and possess a master's degree preferred.
Overview
Carnegie Mellon University's University Advancement division is seeking an Executive Director for Advancement Communications and Marketing. This role is designed for a visionary communications leader who can develop and execute integrated communications and marketing strategies that strengthen the university's reputation, advance institutional priorities and deepen engagement with alumni, donors, parents and friends.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Communications and Marketing, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for a multidisciplinary team responsible for advancement communications, leadership communications, marketing and branding, creative services, video production, editorial content and digital communication campaigns.
The Executive Director will serve as a trusted communications advisor to senior Advancement leadership and collaborate closely with partners across the university, including the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, individual colleges and schools and administrative units.
Core Responsibilities
•Lead the strategic vision, planning and execution of integrated communications and marketing initiatives that advance the goals of University Advancement and Carnegie Mellon University.
•Direct and mentor a high-performing, multidisciplinary communications team responsible for advancement communications, leadership communications, marketing and branding, design, video, editorial content and digital communications, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
•Develop comprehensive communications strategies that support fundraising priorities, institutional initiatives, executive leadership, major campaigns and signature university events.
•Partner closely with senior leaders across the university to ensure communications are aligned with institutional priorities and reinforce a cohesive university narrative.
•Provide strategic communications counsel to Advancement leadership and university partners, helping shape messaging, positioning and communications approaches for complex institutional initiatives.
•In partnership with the Senior Director of Digital Communications, the Senior Director of Donor Relations and the Executive Director for Annual Giving Strategy, lead the continued evolution of donor communications strategies, including email marketing, social media, web content, online engagement, digital fundraising and stewardship.
•Utilize data, audience insights and performance analytics to evaluate communications effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement and provide strategic recommendations.
•Champion the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation and predictive analytics, to enhance content creation, workflow efficiency, personalization, measurement and organizational effectiveness.
•Foster strong partnerships across University Advancement and the broader university community to ensure communications efforts are integrated, coordinated and aligned with institutional priorities.
•Ensure operational excellence by managing departmental priorities, budgets, resources and project workflows in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
•Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations or a related field, including significant leadership and management experience.
•Experience leading integrated communications functions within higher education, nonprofit organizations or similarly complex institutions is strongly preferred.
•A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Skills and Competencies
•Exceptional strategic communications leadership with experience overseeing integrated communications and marketing functions across multiple disciplines.
•Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative, innovative and inclusive culture.
•Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders and build trusted relationships across complex organizations.
•Strong strategic planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
•A data-informed approach to communications, with experience using analytics and audience insights to guide strategy and measure effectiveness.
•Experience leveraging emerging communications technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation and advanced analytics, to improve organizational effectiveness, audience engagement and communications outcomes.
•Knowledge of brand management, reputation management, executive communications, storytelling, digital communications and integrated marketing best practices.
•Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Requirements
•Successful background check.
•Valid state driver's license with annual verification and completion of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving training program once every three years.