Executive Director for Communications and Marketing

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University seeks an Executive Director for Communications and Marketing to set the strategic vision for brand governance and integrated marketing across the College of Engineering. Reporting to the Dean, this leader aligns communications with expansion goals, enhances national reputation, and drives recruitment of students and faculty.

The role requires strong leadership of a multidisciplinary team, oversight of digital platforms, and collaboration with university partners to protect

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee hub-and-spoke governance across 12 academic units and central creative teams to deliver unified brand messaging.
• Develop multi-channel marketing campaigns aligned with expansion mandates to drive recruitment and visibility.
• Direct crisis communications strategies and establish rapid-response frameworks for executive leadership.
• Lead executive communications for the Dean, authoring keynotes, white papers, and digital messaging.
• Manage operating budgets, agency vendors, and in-house creative capabilities for ROI.

Skills

Strategic communications

Team leadership

Media relations

Crisis communication

Digital marketing

Education

Advanced degree in communications or related field

Tools

Asana

Job description

Executive Director for Communications and Marketing

Job Details

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: College of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration

Department: College Of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration

About the Department: The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University is focused on meeting the Grand Challenges of the 21st Century through discovery, innovation, education, and outreach. Our cutting-edge research and education programs provide the knowledge and workforce to fuel the future of our state, nation, and world. In the College of Engineering, we truly Think and Do. Engineering has been a cornerstone of NC State University since the university’s founding in 1887. Today, with more than 12,000 students (including over 3,000 graduate students), over 400 faculty members, and 78,000 alumni, the College is the largest engineering school in North Carolina. Driven by state-mandated Engineering Expansion, the College generates nearly $290 million in research expenditures (2024–25), ranking 14th in total research expenditures among engineering colleges nationwide. The College is home to 29 research centers, institutes, and laboratories. It is one of only two engineering schools in the nation to lead two National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Centers simultaneously—the ASSIST Center and the FREEDM Systems Center. Additionally, NC State serves as the lead institution on major NSF-funded initiatives, including the EngageAI Institute, SPEED Center, and the NSF Engineering Research Center TARDISS. The College maintains national research leadership across critical technologies, including semiconductors, defense, energy, AI, and manufacturing. Consistently recognized for academic and research excellence, the College ranks 28th overall and 14th among public institutions in the U.S. News & World Report graduate rankings, celebrating 11 consecutive years as a top-15 public institution. The College offers 18 bachelor’s, 21 master’s, and 13 doctoral degrees on campus through its nine core departments and three affiliated departments, alongside 2+2 statewide partner programs and top-ranked Engineering Online degree programs. Philanthropic momentum remains central to the College’s mission, supporting a sustained annual advancement run rate of $50M+ to enhance facilities, expand endowed professorships and student scholarships, and drive groundbreaking research enterprise-wide.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

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

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)

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required No

Commercial Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required No

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

1.0

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] . Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

RALEIGH, NC 27695

PHONE: [phone]