Vice President of Marketing Strategy

Sector / Practice Marketing Director Leadership

Responsible for overseeing the performance, strategy, and executional excellence of all Sector / Practice Marketing Directors within HKS. Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, this individual will act as the strategic and operational mentor, coach, and quality assurance lead across all sector-specific marketing efforts. Ensures that every practice marketing plan is audience-centered, insight-led, aligned with firmwide goals, and executed in collaboration with Marketing's Centers of Excellence (COEs). Works with both a strategic and operational mindset, responsible for driving consistency, innovation, and measurable business impact across all sectors.

Leads, develops, and manages the team of Sector & Practice Marketing Directors across all HKS sectors (e.g., Health, Community, Hospitality, Interiors, etc.)

Pressure-tests marketing strategies to ensure alignment with firm goals, client insights, competitive dynamics, and brand positioning

Ensures all Sector / Practice Marketing Directors follow HKS marketing best practices, frameworks, campaign calendars, and performance measurement protocols

Serves as the strategic liaison between SMDs / PMDs and the CMO, surfacing key sector learnings, opportunities, and risks

Drives consistency in value proposition development, messaging, campaign briefs, and sector marketing scorecards

Facilitates peer learning and cross-pollination across sectors by leading regular SMD / PMD roundtables and strategy sessions

Mentors SMDs / PMDs on effective stakeholder engagement, especially with Sector CEOs and COE leads

Collaborates with all COEs including Marketing Ops, Market Data, Communications and Brand to align resources and support strategic needs

Regularly assesses sector marketing performance and recommend improvements to people, processes, and priorities

Contributes to broader marketing leadership, including governance, budgeting, capability building, and succession planning

Models and holds others accountable to the firm's cultural values, including a commitment to quality, innovation, learning and growth

Oversees and actively invests in the professional development of staff through mentoring, performance management and career planning

Leads efforts in attracting, training, retaining, growing and recognizing diverse talent

Manages conflict effectively and encourages a healthy team environment

Fosters and maintains a collaborative professional working relationship with the project team, including promoting communication and creating approachability

Takes personal responsibility for fostering a green workplace through sustainable work practices

Develops budgets and timelines of team projects in collaboration with Chief Marketing Officer

Responsible for the financial implications of overhead and chargeable time, including accountability to project plan and planned utilization rate

Collaborates in managing projects to satisfy requirements with best possible ROI and delivering projects on defined budget requirement

Coaches practice leadership, BD and Marketing to create go-to-market strategies to successfully deliver against the firm's growth and revenue goals

Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Marketing or related degree

Typically with 15+ years of progressive marketing leadership experience, ideally in complex matrixed organizations

Proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferred

Prior experience in professional services, architectural or design industries preferred

Experience leading high-performing B2B marketing teams and building integrated marketing strategies

Experience working with or managing marketing Centers of Excellence (COEs)

Strong understanding of market research, competitive intelligence, and performance analytics

Successful track record with managing a team and performing duties in a fast-paced environment

Proven ability to work across stakeholder groups, functional areas, geographies, and differing levels of seniority

Proven record of aligning marketing strategies with business growth and delivering measurable outcomes

Excellent writing skills with leadership experience in creative direction, storytelling, and visual communication

Excellent attention to detail and commitment to excellence

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff and clients; ability to forge trusting relationships within a diverse team

Strong presentation skills

Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time

Ability to partner seamlessly with BD to align marketing activity with client growth

Ability to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external

Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing

Ability to proactively problem solve and apply innovative solutions

Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment, and ability to work independently and prioritize work

Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality

Travel may be required

Base Salary Range : $115k to $175k annually - Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Seattle, and Washington DC locations only. The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in the above locations only. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short / long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees.

Application Deadline : 1 / 1 / 2026