Senior Director of Marketing

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: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position

Posting closes on 7/15/26

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

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EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.