Senior Director of Marketing and Communications - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Effective January 1, 2022, all new Cornell hires, regardless of role and work location, must be fully vaccinated and present proof of an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccination or have a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption. Failure to demonstrate compliance with this requirement prior to the first day of work will result in the delay of employment with Cornell and may result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is seeking a Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to develop and direct strategic planning and execution of integrated branding, marketing, and communications to amplify the Lab’s mission to understand and protect birds and the natural world, and to engage the public broadly in these efforts.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading institute for research, education, citizen science, and conservation focused on birds. A member of the Lab’s Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications will work with the Lab’s dynamic, multidisciplinary teams, and central University Relations partners, to advance our global-scale mission at a time of tremendous urgency and consequence for public engagement and conservation action. Our strategic plan calls for the Lab to broaden our audience to include and engage people of diverse cultures and lifestyles in learning and scientific discovery—and to galvanize our ability to inspire on-the-ground action and influence policy and public opinion through data-intensive science, powerful visualizations, inspiring multimedia and storytelling, and creative partnerships. The Senior Director will help advance the Cornell Lab’s commitment to creating an organizational culture that fosters diversity, celebrates the strength and creativity that emerge from differences, and benefits from the contributions of people of all backgrounds. 

What You Will Do

As a visionary and strategic systems thinker and inclusive relationship builder, the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications will manage teams in Integrated Marketing; Science Communications (including creative services and PR); and Corporate Relations (including licensing); and will work with senior leaders and staff across the Lab, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), and University Relations to develop, implement, and optimize brand expression and integrated communications and marketing strategies designed to (1) increase public awareness of the importance of birds and nature, and inspire actions that protect environmental and human well-being; (2) attract, engage, and support a diverse array of audiences and communities in the Lab’s mission through integrated campaigns, communications channels, events, and products; and (3) promote the Lab’s research, programs, and resources to help meet the priorities of our strategic plan.

These activities will be accomplished as you:

• Develop a full understanding of the Lab’s mission, strategic initiatives, engagement-directed projects (both free and revenue-generating), and brand architecture.
• Acquire deep knowledge of the environmental and bird conservation sectors, including understanding the issues, interests, and marketing tactics that will engage diverse audiences and advance equity and inclusion in the Lab’s mission.
• Manage or coach teams of 25+ staff (3 direct reports), and direct collaborations among leadership and staff, to envision and develop institution-wide communications and marketing strategies, implementation plans, and best practices.
• Ensure that communications and marketing strategies fulfill strategic objectives of the Lab, CALS, and the university to establish effective and consistent brand expression. 
• Manage a ~$5 million annual budget, including contracts with consultants and service-providers.

What We Need from You

We are looking for an individual who has bachelor’s degree, and at least 7 to 10 years of experience that includes management and strategic planning. They will have a successful background in marketing and communications, including experience in branding, licensing, corporate relations, fundraising or recruitment, digital and print communications, social media, web and mobile development, media relations, and crisis communications. Additional requirements are:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire, engage, and lead teams toward a common vision; problem-solve and interact effectively with managers, creative staff, external stakeholders, leaders of partner organizations, and Administrative Board.
• Demonstrate integrity, inclusivity, and openness to diverse stakeholders and ideas.
• Ability to guide teams to prioritize projects in order to meet strategic objectives.
• Possess creativity, flexibility, initiative, and commitment to excellence.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills (word processing, design, spreadsheets, content management systems) with deep understanding of Internet-based communication and social networking principles and tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high level of responsibility with minimal supervision, to prioritize projects, to work under tight time schedules and meet deadlines, and to manage complex business plans and budgets.
• Ability to serve and communicate as an institutional leader both internally and to the general public.
• Use judgment in accomplishing urgent tasks or those of a sensitive or confidential nature.

There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

• Master’s degree in marketing, public affairs, communications, business, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of or interest in science, conservation, and natural history desirable.
• Experience in translating complex scholarly stories to general audiences.

The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges.

About Us

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally renowned nonprofit institution that advances research, education, citizen science, and conservation to improve the understanding and protection of birds and biodiversity. Each year the Lab engages millions of people around the world in learning about birds, contributing citizen-science data, and supporting conservation. We serve communities of nature lovers, birdwatchers, citizen-science participants, K-12 teachers, underserved communities, and lifelong learners united by our mission to celebrate and protect birds and biodiversity. We also serve academics, conservationists, policy makers, and corporate partners who help advance scientific discoveries and conservation impact. We reach 27 million visitors on our digital platforms (AllAboutBirds.org and Birds.Cornell.edu), and our Merlin Bird ID mobile app has been downloaded 5 million times. More than 625,000 citizen-science participants from every country in the world have contributed over 1 billion observations to eBird.org and our other citizen-science projects to power groundbreaking science and conservation initiatives. More than 120,000 lifelong learners have enrolled in our Bird Academy classes, and more than 150,000 members and donors financially support our mission, 97% of whom are not Cornell alumni or parents.

What We Offer

Salary range for this position is $128k- $135k.

We hope you appreciate great benefits! Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits program includes comprehensive health care options, wellness programs, employee discounts
• Generous retirement contributions.
• Our paid leave time include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: including an end-of-year, paid time off winter break from December 25th through January 1st.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Part-time Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program.
• We invite you to follow this link for more information: https://hr.cornell.edu/summaries-benefits.

How to Apply:

You must submit both a Resume and Cover letter.  ​Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume and cover letter). You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

University Job Title:

Communication Mgr II

Job Family:

Communications/Marketing

Level:

H

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Denise Smith

Number of Openings:

1

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

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 University's Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity at voice (607) 255-3976, fax (607) 255-7481, or email at owdi@cornell.edu.

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

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.