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Inside Higher Ed · 1 week ago

Executive Director of Marketing & Brand, Office of Communications & Public Affairs (0409U) 82700

Berkeley, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$190K/yr - $230K/yr

The University of California, Berkeley is a world-leading institution dedicated to academic and research excellence. They are seeking an Executive Director of Marketing & Brand to lead marketing communications and brand management, overseeing a team focused on advancing the UC Berkeley brand and Trademarks and Licensing through innovative marketing strategies.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

Responsibilities

Oversees a team of professionals responsible for brand management, trademarks and licensing (including revenue generation), marketing communications, and digital/social media. Provides leadership in hiring, training, mentoring, and evaluating professional and support staff. Directs, assigns, and reviews work, and takes corrective action as necessary. Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, performance, and professional growth. Ensures staff deliver high-quality communications products that reflect institutional standards and priorities

Directs staff in protecting the integrity of UC Berkeley's institutional brand identity and related marks, ensuring compliance with brand standards across campus. Oversees staff review and approval of requests to use and license university trademarks, logo lockups, new logos, or exceptions to brand standards. Partners with campus leaders and communications colleagues to ensure unit branding aligns with institutional identity. Provides oversight of the design system and brand guidelines that govern usage of brand elements including logos, typography, color palettes, and photography

Supervises staff in developing and implementing integrated marketing communications strategies in partnership with the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations. Directs advertising and marketing campaigns that elevate Berkeley's institutional narrative and reflect the university's excellence

Oversees staff responsible for digital communications and social media strategy across all platforms. Provides supervisory guidance in planning, content development, platform management, and performance optimization. Ensures staff apply emerging best practices to deliver an effective and modern digital presence

Oversees coordination with external vendors, including brand strategists, developers, marketing and PR agencies, illustrators, photographers, and printers. Ensures vendor work meets institutional standards, deadlines, and budgets. Provides high-level oversight of production processes, including publishing, web design, and print, to support staff in delivering high-quality final products

Qualification

Marketing leadershipBrand managementDigital communicationsStrategic marketingTeam leadershipDesign conceptsCreative skillsInterpersonal skillsCritical thinkingCollaboration skills

Required

Significant years of progressive marketing and brand leadership experience, with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, managing complex enterprise initiatives, and driving strategic outcomes at scale

Stays abreast of contemporary and changing trends and policies in branding and marketing

Advanced knowledge of design and communications concepts and applicable software applications

Advanced knowledge of production processes for a variety of media and knowledge of vendor requirements for a variety of products

Advanced design, creative and artistic skills

Advanced skills to devise broad design ideas, present them to clients, and produce results on time and within budget

Advanced interpersonal communications skills, including active listening skills and skills to work effectively within teams and to effectively provide advanced design advice and consultation to clients on all aspects of visual communications

Critical thinking skills, advanced organizational skills and proactive problem-solving /problem resolution skills

Knowledge of visual journalism, photography and informational graphics as they apply to the needs of the Berkeley News team

Ability to 'lead from the middle' and coach, facilitate and influence people at all levels

Advanced knowledge of marketing

Advanced knowledge of digital communications for effectiveness in marketing

Knowledge of UC Berkeley, including its vision, mission, goals, and objectives, or ability to quickly learn

Advanced team leadership, ensuring high performance and measurable results

Strategic marketing and brand leadership skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into integrated campaigns that advance visibility, engagement, and impact

Advanced strategic thinking and project implementation skills

Advanced collaboration skills to work with diverse stakeholders within a complex, decentralized, matrixed organization

Ability to navigate politically sensitive, reputational, or escalated issues with discretion and sound judgment

Demonstrated ability to lead in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and navigate competing stakeholder priorities to drive strategic outcomes

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Preferred

Knowledge of higher education trademarks and licensing; creative thinking that leads to revenue generation

Capacity for creative innovation and continuous improvement, staying abreast of evolving opportunities and challenges of higher education

Experience with brand governance and identity management, with the ability to interpret complex brand guidelines and ensure stakeholder compliance with institutional standards and trademark usage

Experience working with large collegiate brands or athletics organizations, with familiarity in navigating Athletics brand environments, vendor relationships, and NCAA-related considerations