Senior Director for Marketing and Communications

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

9d • $126,000 - $136,068 • Hybrid

About The Position

Over 160 years ago, the University of Washington was founded as a hub for learning, innovation, problem-solving, and community building. University Advancement supports this legacy and public mission with the goal of making the UW the world’s greatest public university, as measured by positive impact. This guides everything we do. We bring together development; alumni and stakeholder engagement; marketing and communications; and advancement operations. We advance the UW’s impact by developing meaningful connections that foster pride, advocacy, and philanthropic support. Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement (ASE), working in collaborative partnerships with the UW Alumni Association, UW Retirement Association, and the University Book Store, fulfills its mission to advance higher education in the state of Washington and to support the UW through impactful, broad-based engagement with alumni, students, retirees, and friends of the University. This starts with creating a culture of belonging within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals. Alumni & Stakeholder Engagement has an exciting opening for a Senior Director for Marketing & Communications. This is a full-time permanent position. The Senior Director for Marketing and Communications leads the strategy and execution of integrated marketing and communications campaigns that deepen alumni engagement, strengthen the University of Washington's reputation, and advance fundraising and revenue goals. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications and serving on the senior leadership team, this role leads a multidisciplinary team spanning content, creative, digital, analytics, project management, and sponsorship development. Working within the University's integrated Advancement model, the Senior Director partners across University Advancement and campus leaders to deliver high-impact campaigns, events, and experiences that strengthen lifelong connections with alumni, donors, and supporters.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree AND at least 10 years of experience leading integrated marketing and communications campaigns, ideally in higher education, nonprofits, or similar complex organizations.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams in a complex and collaborative environment.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills, with a proven capacity to influence and build trust across diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success navigating and leading through ambiguity and organizational complexity while providing clarity, structure, and strategic direction.
• Strong project management and operational planning expertise, including oversight of multiple concurrent initiatives and competing priorities.
• Systems-thinking mindset with a track record of aligning strategy, operations, and organizational goals.
• Proven accountability, sound judgment, and a results-oriented approach to leadership and decision-making.
• Experience with CRM platforms, marketing automation tools, analytics, and audience segmentation strategies.
• Skilled storyteller who translates complex priorities into compelling narratives and meaningful engagement opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead integrated, multi-year marketing and communications strategies that advance alumni engagement, fundraising, revenue generation, and institutional priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of approximately 12 professionals across marketing, communications, content, creative, digital, analytics, project management, and sponsorship development functions.
• Drive the planning and execution of complex, multi-channel campaigns and initiatives, ensuring alignment across audiences, channels, and organizational goals.
• Lead the organization's sponsorship and business development strategy, serving as the senior relationship manager for key corporate partners and negotiating high-value sponsorship agreements.
• Establish strategic priorities, align resources and timelines, and ensure consistency across multiple concurrent initiatives to maximize organizational impact.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture by providing clear direction, accountability, and support in a highly matrixed environment.
• Establish and oversee processes, workflows, and governance structures that support effective prioritization, resource allocation, and execution across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Oversee departmental budgets and sponsorship revenue goals, proactively managing resources, mitigating risks, and ensuring measurable outcomes.
• Oversee integrated, multi-channel campaigns supporting alumni engagement, fundraising initiatives, donor stewardship, events, volunteer programs, giving days, capital campaigns, and other university priorities.
• Partner with senior leaders across University Advancement to develop alumni and donor engagement strategies and coordinated communication journeys.
• Ensure consistent brand voice, messaging, and storytelling across campaigns, channels, and audiences while translating complex stakeholder priorities into compelling communications.
• Leverage CRM, marketing automation, analytics, testing, reporting, and audience insights to inform strategy, strengthen audience segmentation and personalization, optimize campaign performance, and maximize engagement and fundraising outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic partner and point of coordination for marketing, communications, sponsorship, and resource development efforts across Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement, University Advancement, academic units, and university leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders while establishing effective processes for project intake, prioritization, collaboration, decision-making, and approvals.
• Navigate complex organizational dynamics and competing priorities to ensure alignment, clarity, and progress toward shared goals.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Access to reliable transportation for local travel and willingness to travel when necessary.
• Outstanding benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director