Job Description
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Req Id:  40735
Job Title:  Director of External Marketing Strategy
City:  West Lafayette
Job Description: 

Job Summary

Purdue Brand Studio, Purdue University’s award-winning in-house brand agency, is excited to welcome a Director of External Marketing Strategy. This highly impactful role will serve as a senior strategic leader within the unit and is responsible for developing and executing integrated, insight-informed external marketing strategies that advance Purdue’s reputation and expand awareness, affinity, and trust among external stakeholders and net-new audiences.

 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing Strategy, this position operates at a Level 4 scope and manages a team of high-performing marketing strategists, each who informally lead a cross-functional team to execute project work. The Director focuses on short-to mid-term (1–2 year) tactical and operational plans, translating institutional strategy into measurable, high-impact marketing initiatives that strengthen Purdue’s national and global reputation. This role requires strong leadership presence, advanced marketing expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders across colleges, units, geographies, and external partners.

 

 

At Purdue, you’ll join a community where unrivaled pride and unlimited potential are more than just words—they’re the foundation of how we work and grow, together. If you’re ready to help build a better world through research that matters, take the next step and join us on this path.

About Us:

Within Purdue, the award-winning Brand Studio team serves as the university’s central storytelling engine—bringing to life the bold ideas, global impact and people of Purdue. As the chief storytellers and stewards of Purdue’s brand, our team creates campaigns and content that inspire pride, elevate visibility and position the university as a leader in higher education and beyond. Follow our stories and stay connected:
  • X: @LifeAtPurdue
  • Instagram: @LifeAtPurdue
  • Facebook: Purdue University
  • LinkedIn: Purdue University
  • YouTube: Purdue University
 

 

When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we’ve been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation. 

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will need:

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field required;
  • Seven (7) years of progressive, relevant marketing experience, preferably within higher education or a similarly complex, matrixed organization.
  • Demonstrated experience leading large teams, managing managers, and overseeing integrated marketing initiatives.

 

Skills: 

  • Advanced expertise in brand strategy, integrated marketing, and external audience engagement.
  • Strong analytical and strategic planning skills with the ability to translate insights into action.
  • Proven ability to manage budgets, external vendors, and agency partners to shared success.
  • High learning agility, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively amid ambiguity.
  • Demonstrated success influencing cross-functional partners and driving alignment at scale.

 

Nice to Have:

  • Advanced degree

 

Additional Information:

  • Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position   
  • A background check will be required for employment in this position  
  • FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)  
  • Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contributions Immediately  

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Career Stream

 

Compensation Information:

Management 4

Pay Band S080

Job Code # 20003517

EOE

Purdue University is an EO/EA University
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Posting Start Date:  2/20/26