Senior Director, Marketing Communications

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Senior Director, Marketing Communications. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes:

• Outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans
• Fee waiver education program
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• 15 paid holidays a year

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $174,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Senior Director, Marketing Communications to play a critical role in advancing the California State University (CSU) system's mission, brand reputation, and strategic goals. This position supports the associate vice chancellor of Strategic Communications and Brand Marketing in developing and executing high-impact marketing campaigns. The senior director manages and integrates a comprehensive range of internal and external marketing activities that define, promote, and protect the CSU brand while fostering engagement with diverse stakeholders across the state and beyond.

This leadership role includes oversight of the Creative, Events, Marketing, Production, and Print Services teams and all administrative and operational functions within the department. The senior director directly manages a team of 15 staff members and coordinates with freelancers and consultants, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, efficient operations, and high-quality output.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications & Brand Marketing, the Senior Director, Marketing Communications will perform duties as outlined below:

Strategic Collaboration

• Serves as department co-lead, along with senior director of Media & Public Affairs and senior director of Integrated Strategic Communications, in the absence of the associate vice chancellor, Strategic Communications & Brand Marketing.
• Provides day-to-day support and resources to maintain smooth departmental operations and achieve established goals.
• Acts as internal and external point of contact to manage inquiries and offer assistance specific to Marketing Communications.
• Provides leadership and support for all areas within Strategic Communications & Brand Marketing, including guidance on brand and creative services, marketing and production, video and photo needs, print services, and events.
• Educates and supports CSU Office of the Chancellor colleagues on the role of Marketing Communications in advancing CSU strategic initiatives, fostering understanding and collaboration.
• Consults and collaborates with internal colleagues throughout the lifecycle of projects and campaigns.
• Identifies best practices and opportunities to improve internal processes and workflows, making recommendations to leadership to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Supports the professional development, goal setting, and training of Marketing Communications staff.
• Ensures that all team areas remain productive, adequately resourced, and capable of meeting capacity to deliver on departmental objectives.

Strategic Marketing

• Collaborates with the Strategic Communications & Brand Marketing team to develop and oversee the implementation of integrated marketing campaigns that align with the CSU's strategic plan and institutional priorities.
• Guides the Marketing Communications team in analyzing sentiment and audience insights to inform and optimize marketing strategies.
• Partners with the senior directors of Media & Public Affairs and Integrated Strategic Communications to ensure marketing campaigns are cohesive, aligned with broader communication efforts, and effectively drive desired outcomes.
• Creates advertising strategies as part of comprehensive marketing campaigns designed to achieve CSU goals and elevate brand impact.
• Measures campaign effectiveness using analytics and data insights.
• Refines strategies and tactics based on performance to maximize outcomes and return on investment.
• Oversee budgets and timelines for marketing campaigns, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with financial parameters.
• Identifies opportunities for proactive marketing campaigns to advance advocacy efforts.

Brand Alignment

• Maintains a strong and consistent CSU brand identity across all platforms and materials.
• Leads initiatives to enhance brand awareness, recognition, and reputation, fostering positive engagement with internal and external audiences.
• Enforces brand guidelines to ensure consistency and quality in visual and verbal messaging across all communications and marketing efforts.
• Monitors market sentiment and brand perception, responding proactively to feedback and trends to safeguard and strengthen the CSU’s reputation.

Events

• Provides strategic planning and guidance for client events, including conducting research, reviewing goals and audience, establishing metrics for success, and assisting with the development of supporting materials.
• Ensures events align with the CSU’s brand positioning and identity, fostering meaningful engagement with target audiences and reinforcing organizational priorities.

Other Duties

• Collaborates with Procurement and university counterparts to establish service agreements for goods and services that benefit the marketing efforts of the CSU system.
• Engages with campuses to identify opportunities, lead discussions with vendors and service providers, measure success and utilization of services, and provide feedback to improve offerings.
• Builds strong partnerships with university counterparts by leading monthly calls, organizing planning meetings, preparing content, inviting guest presenters, and providing timely follow-up to ensure effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Manages the department's two budgets, overseeing purchasing, tracking invoicing, and billing.
• Works with the administrative assistant to complete budget and expenditure transfers, data entry, account reconciliation, and approvals of all related paperwork to ensure fiscal responsibility and accuracy.

Qualifications

This position requires:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a senior management role within a related field, demonstrating progressive leadership responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Proven leadership and experience in developing and managing comprehensive, integrated marketing plans to advance an organization's mission.
• Extensive experience with branding, including developing and maintaining brand standards, visual identity systems, and ensuring consistent application across all platforms and materials.
• Familiarity with creative processes and principles, including the ability to review and provide constructive feedback on graphic designs to ensure alignment with brand standards and organizational objectives.
• In-depth knowledge of communications and marketing principles, including best practices in messaging, storytelling, and audience engagement.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage with senior management, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment and anticipate future needs.
• Knowledge of reprographics, printing industries, and related equipment to oversee print services and evaluate new technologies effectively.
• Understanding of web practices, design, systems, and accessibility to provide guidance and support for web-based initiatives in collaboration with Marketing department clients and Integrated Strategic Communications.
• Familiarity with job tracking and database software for managing projects, budgets, and reporting.
• Outstanding customer service skills, with a strong ability to build relationships and resolve issues effectively.
• Proven ability to manage diverse teams in high-volume, high-pressure environments while fostering collaboration and productivity.
• Experience consulting with and advising colleagues on marketing strategies, ensuring adherence to organizational style and branding guidelines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a customer-service-oriented setting.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Extensive experience with budgeting, managing multiple accounts, and overseeing complex financial systems.
• Ability to evaluate and recommend technical and operational system improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Familiarity with both Mac and PC platforms.
• Experience with leading diverse team of creatives, comprised of minimum 15 employees.
• Experience with leading advocacy marketing campaigns.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 24, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

It is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.