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Syracuse University

Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy

🇺🇸 Syracuse, NY 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $180K - $220K 💻 Other 🗓️ March 27th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Syracuse University is hiring an Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy. The role entails leading and managing the center's operations, strategy, fundraising, industry partnerships, and program execution to advance research and collaboration in the creator economy. The Executive Director drives growth, builds external relationships, coordinates with faculty, and enhances the center's national visibility and sustainability.

Highlights
  • Provide senior leadership and administer all initiatives at the Center for the Creator Economy (CCE).
  • Develop and implement strategic plans, oversee day-to-day operations, and lead a project coordinator.
  • Manage fundraising activities, build partnerships with creators, agencies, brands, platforms, and investors, and maintain financial sustainability.
  • Support interdisciplinary research, organize signature events like CUSE Creator Con, and foster industry engagement.
  • Assist faculty in integrating creator-economy content across curricula and connect students to experiential learning opportunities.
  • Requires strong industry experience in the creator economy, media, marketing, or entrepreneurship with at least 8 years in leadership roles.
  • Needs at least 5 years of managerial experience overseeing high-performing teams and demonstrated collaboration skills across academia and industry.
  • Excellent networking capabilities within creator, media, and digital entrepreneurship sectors are essential.
  • Pay range: $180,000 - $220,000 annually.
  • Educational qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, or related fields; a master’s or advanced training is preferred.

Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy Full Description

Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy
 Posting Details 
Job #  | 042690
Department Code  | 21601-2090
Department  | Public Communications
Job Title  | Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy
Location  | Syracuse, NY
Campus  | Syracuse, NY
Commitment to On-Campus Experience  | Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range  | $180,000 - $220,000
Pay Determination  | Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level  | S6
FLSA Status  | Exempt
Hours  | Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type  | Full-time
Unionized Position Code  | Not Applicable
Job Description  | Syracuse University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the Center for the Creator Economy (CCE), a joint initiative of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. The CCE is the first center of its kind in higher education, advancing research, partnerships, programs, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in the rapidly expanding creator economy.

The Executive Director serves as the center’s core administrator, strategist, and external representative, responsible for driving growth, building partnerships and fundraising, coordinating with faculty, and strengthening the center’s national visibility and long-term sustainability.

Reporting jointly to the Deans of Newhouse and Whitman (or their designees), the Executive Director oversees operations, strategy, fundraising, industry engagement, and program execution for the CCE. This full-time staff position requires a strong leader who brings industry experience, managerial skills, excellence in relationship-building, and the ability to translate emerging opportunities into coordinated initiatives.

Education and Experience  | Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, entrepreneurship, media, or related field. Master’s degree or training in a relevant discipline preferred. Significant (8+ years) leadership experience in the creator economy, media, marketing, entrepreneurship, or related industries. Ideal candidates have spent considerable time in industry as an executive in a leading firm, as an entrepreneur, or in a business-related role. Tangible evidence of notable professional contributions related to the creator economy to illustrate strength of background and accomplishments. Minimum of 5 years of managerial experience overseeing a high performing team and possessing the collaboration skills to create partnerships across campus and in industry. Experience supporting academic program coordination or interdisciplinary initiatives.

Skills and Knowledge  | Excellent network connectivity within creator, media, or digital entrepreneurship sectors to help drive industry connectivity, solicit stakeholder support, and to establish the CCE in a highly visible position. Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, and ability to generate excitement internally and externally. Demonstrated collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial mindset. Needs to be proactive and forward thinking, including an ability to emphasize problem solving, multi-task multiple priorities, deal with complex projects, and work with a variety of stakeholders. Positive attitude and willingness to continuously innovate and improve. Commitment to creating an environment welcoming to all, with exemplary emphasis on ethical leadership and community-building.

Responsibilities 
Strategic Leadership & Administration Provide senior leadership and administrative oversight for all CCE initiatives. Coordinate strategic priorities and projects with a team of faculty, staff and senior leadership. Manage the project coordinator and oversee day-to-day center operations. Lead strategic planning efforts, monitor progress toward long-term goals, and create initiatives to achieve aspirational goals. Serve as the primary internal and external representative for the CCE. 
Fundraising, Partnerships & Financial Sustainability Work with the Deans (or their designees) and the Advancement team to identify, cultivate, and steward donors, sponsors, and grant opportunities. Build and maintain partnerships with creators, agencies, brands, platforms, and investors. Develop or support net revenue-generating programs, including executive education and professional development initiatives. Oversee the center’s operating budget, financial projections, and fiscal strategy. Create and implement plans that strengthen the CCE’s financial sustainability and long-term resource base. Research, Thought Leadership & Industry Engagement Support the development of interdisciplinary research connected to the creator economy. Coordinate the development of annual reports, white papers, case studies, and trend analyses for academic and practitioner/industry audiences. Organize signature CCE events, roundtables, and creator convenings. Oversee the planning, execution, and funding of major events, including CUSE Creator Con, external engagements, and additional center programming. Expand opportunities for faculty, staff, and students through industry collaboration. Academic & Program Support Support faculty as they coordinate creator-economy content within existing curricula across schools. Assist academic units with integrating creator-economy themes into relevant programs. Connect faculty and students to experiential programming, including workshops, creator talks, competitions, and applied learning opportunities.

Other Duties as AssignedContribute to additional projects as necessary.
Physical Requirements  | Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment  | Not Applicable
Application Instructions  | In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University  | Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area  | Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement  | Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans  | Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community  | Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Quick Link  | https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/112685
Job Posting Date  | 03/26/2026
Application Deadline  |
Full Consideration By  |
Job Category  | Staff
Message to Applicants  | 
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * How did you first find out about this position? 
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2.  If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position. 
    (Open Ended Question)

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