Senior Director of Marketing
Cornell UniversityAbout the role
Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Senior Director of Marketing in the Division of Alumni Affairs and Development based in Ithaca, NY. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape marketing strategies that drive engagement and advance the university’s development goals.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Marketing is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping how Cornell connects with its global alumni and donor community. This role leads the development and execution of integrated, multi-channel marketing and communications strategies that drive engagement and philanthropic impact.
As a key member of both the Communications, Marketing, and Participation (CMP) leadership team and the Alumni Affairs leadership team, the Senior Director partners across the organization to align marketing efforts with institutional priorities and translate strategy into compelling, audience-focused campaigns.
Reporting to the Executive Director of CMP, this role also drives the evolution of marketing operations—establishing scalable processes, leveraging data and insights, and optimizing performance to ensure marketing efforts are coordinated, effective, and impactful in a complex, matrixed environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the strategy, planning, execution, and evaluation of multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns that support fundraising, engagement, and institutional priorities
Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across AAD, colleges, and units to develop integrated marketing strategies aligned with divisional goals
Oversee marketing campaign intake, prioritization, and cross-functional team coordination to ensure efficient execution
Manage the divisional communications calendar to balance messaging, audience engagement, and channel effectiveness
Define key performance indicators and lead analysis of campaign performance to drive giving and engagement outcomes
Translate performance data, audience insights, and research into actionable strategies that refine targeting and improve results
Establish and maintain governance, processes, and workflows that improve efficiency and consistency across marketing efforts
Align internal and external resources to support priority initiatives and maximize impact
About Alumni Affairs and Development
Cornell's Alumni Affairs and Development division, widely regarded as one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, connects alumni, parents and friends with opportunities to advance the university's mission through philanthropy and engagement. As part of our team, you'll help cultivate meaningful relationships while working alongside dedicated professionals who share your commitment to excellence and educational advancement.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in advancement, marketing, communications, or a related field, or equivalent combination
Demonstrated success leading multi-channel marketing, communications, or fundraising campaigns in a complex organization
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, including experience using data to inform decisions and measure outcomes
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams within a matrixed environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts for diverse audiences
Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals
Work Location
This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location.
The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.
Rewards and Benefits
Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits:
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