The Vice President of Marketing is a key leader in advancing Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s mission and growth. Reporting to the SVP/Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, this executive is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day leadership of marketing functions that enhance Dana-Farber’s reputation, strengthen its brand, and engage diverse audiences.
The VP of Marketing oversees clinical marketing and physician relationship management, brand strategy and governance, social media and engagement platforms. This leader develops and executes integrated strategies that drive short- and long-term brand impact locally, nationally, and internationally, and ensures that marketing efforts measurably support institutional goals in patient care, research, education, and philanthropy.
As a member of the CCMO’s executive leadership team, the Vice President of Marketing plays a pivotal in role the Communications & Marketing Department’s goal of positioning Dana-Farber as the partner, provider, employer and investment of choice.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead enterprise marketing strategy and planning
- Develop and oversee a comprehensive, multi-year marketing strategy that advances Dana-Farber’s institutional priorities, including clinical growth, research leadership, workforce recruitment and retention, and philanthropy. Translate organizational goals into annual marketing plans with clear objectives, target audiences, key messages, and performance metrics. Ensure strategies are aligned with the Communications & Marketing Department and integrated across all channels and business areas across the enterprise.
Oversee brand strategy, governance, and reputation-building
- Direct brand positioning and architecture for Dana-Farber and its clinical, research, and network entities, ensuring consistency and differentiation in a competitive marketplace. Lead complex branding initiatives, including co-branded and joint programs with partner institutions, and ensure adherence to brand standards across all internal and external touchpoints. Collaborate with senior leaders to proactively manage and enhance Dana-Farber’s reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.
Drive clinical, consumer, and physician marketing
- Lead the development and execution of cross-channel brand marketing strategies that support clinical program growth, patient acquisition and retention, and patient/family engagement. Oversee physician marketing and relationship management efforts to strengthen referral networks and deepen engagement with community and academic providers. Partner with other Communications & Marketing disciplines, clinical, business, and network development leaders to identify growth opportunities and translate them into targeted, measurable marketing initiatives.
Lead digital, social media, and data-driven marketing programs
- Provide strategic direction for Dana-Farber’s digital ecosystem, including websites, digital content, and patient-facing online tools, ensuring they are user-centered, accessible, and aligned with institutional goals. Oversee social media strategy and execution to engage diverse audiences, extend reach, and support brand and reputation objectives. Champion the use of analytics, marketing technology, and testing to optimize campaigns, refine segmentation and targeting, and demonstrate ROI across digital and traditional channels.
Foster cross-functional collaboration and institutional alignment
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with executive leadership, clinical and research leaders, and administrative partners, serving as a key advisor on marketing, brand, and digital strategy. Work closely with Planning and Network Development, Information Systems/Enterprise Web Solutions and Digital Platforms, Philanthropy, Human Resources, and other departments to ensure marketing strategies support institutional initiatives and partnerships. Collaborate with marketing and executive leadership at clinical partner institutions to support joint clinical programs, shared budgets, and co-branded initiatives.
Lead and develop the marketing team and manage external partners
- Provide leadership and direction to a team of marketing professionals, including senior leaders overseeing distinct disciplines (e.g., Engagement Marketing, Physician Marketing and Automation, Brand Marketing, and Advertising). Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance measures; support professional development; and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Select, manage, and evaluate external agencies and vendors, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective services that align with strategic priorities.
Ensure effective financial and operational management of marketing
- Develop and manage marketing budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and alignment with institutional priorities. Monitor performance against plans and budgets, adjusting strategies and resource allocation as needed. Establish and refine processes, standards, and workflows that support efficient, compliant, and high-impact marketing operations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style with the ability to listen, value diverse perspectives, provide clear strategic guidance, and inspire confidence among internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing integrated marketing, digital, and social media strategies that enhance market position, brand visibility, and institutional reputation.
- Strong command of brand positioning, architecture, and expansion in a competitive, rapidly evolving environment, with a track record of creating innovative, integrated campaigns that drive measurable results.
- Advanced proficiency in leveraging data analytics, market research, customer insights, segmentation, and marketing technology to shape strategy, optimize campaigns, and improve ROI.
- Proven ability to select, manage, and direct top-tier advertising, marketing, and digital agency partners to deliver high-quality, cost-effective work aligned with strategic goals.
- Exceptional communication skills, including strong writing, speaking, and presentation abilities, with comfort engaging board members, senior physicians, executives, staff, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for marketing programs and initiatives.
- Demonstrated success leading a marketing organization of similar scale, with responsibility for recruitment, development, performance management, and succession planning.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Senior Director Engagement Marketing
Senior Director Physician Marketing and Automation
Senior Director Brand Marketing
Director of Advertising
Minimum Job Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's Degree required, Masters preferred
Education Preferred: Master's Degree or MBA related
Experience Required:
- 15+ years of progressive responsibility in marketing, business strategy, brand management, and/or advertising agency leadership.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic marketing plans that drive measurable business and brand outcomes.
- Proven track record leading social media and engagement strategy, with demonstrated comfort and fluency in digital technologies and platforms.
- Demonstrated track rack record of active cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Adeptness at managing agency relationships and leading the development of cross-channel brand marketing strategies including broadcast and cable television, radio, and out of home and digital advertising.
- Demonstrated success leading, motivating, and mentoring high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience influencing and achieving results in a highly matrixed, complex organization.
Experience Preferred:
- Healthcare, oncology, pharmaceutical, or related science-driven industry experience strongly preferred.
- Experience marketing to consumers, patients, and physicians.
- Experience working effectively with senior executives, physicians, scientists, and cross-functional partners.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to innovate, adapt, and persevere in a dynamic environment.
- Passion for Dana-Farber’s mission and the ability to translate that mission into compelling marketing strategies and narratives.
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
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Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$246,000.00 - $271,100.00
