Executive Creative Director

Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative StrategyEast Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.The Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative Strategy serves as East Carolina University's senior executive leader responsible for stewarding and advancing the university's institutional brand, marketing, and creative strategy as an enterprise-wide asset. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer/Director of University Communications and with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, the position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for brand and marketing communications across the university. This role ensures that ECU presents a clear, compelling and aligned identity to its audiences while enabling effective collaboration across a complex institution. The Executive Director will direct integrated brand strategy, oversee all university-wide marketing initiatives, and drive campaigns that advance ECU's enrollment goals, academic reputation and institutional priorities. The position leads the marketing, branding and creative services units, ensuring cohesive and high-impact communication across the ECU enterprise. The position is accountable for establishing shared direction, decision-making clarity, and performance expectations – balancing institutional coherence with unit-level needs and innovation. The Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative Strategy plays a critical role in strengthening ECU's institutional alignment, visibility, and effectiveness. By establishing clear strategy, governance, and leadership for brand and marketing, this role enables the university to move from fragmented activity to coordinated institutional performance—supporting ECU's mission, growth, and long-term success.Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience - Advanced degree with 6 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience. Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field. Demonstrated success leading enterprise-level brand or marketing functions within complex organizations. Proven ability to operate effectively in decentralized or matrixed environments. Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, align, and lead across multiple stakeholder groups. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience - Experience in higher education, academic health systems, or similarly complex public institutions. Familiarity with enrollment marketing, reputation management, and stakeholder communications. Experience designing governance models, operating frameworks, or enterprise-wide standards. Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational change.In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable. Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.