**Apply By**
Applicants are encouraged to apply by September 6, 2024 to receive the best
opportunity to be interviewed if qualified.
**Purpose of Position**
The Managing Director, Marketing & Communications at EdReports plays a crucial
role in the External Affairs office. We are seeking a transformational
professional to elevate our brand's thought leadership, anticipate
opportunities and reputational risks, and navigate ambiguity as the
organization scales into its next phase. This individual will oversee all
external communications, including branding, marketing, content development,
website strategy, media relations, advertising, and social media. Reporting to
the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Managing Director will work closely
with the executive team, organizational spokespeople, and external
stakeholders such as funders and partners.
The ideal candidate is experienced in both creating and curating thought
leadership. They can peer into the future, distinguish between signal and
noise, and understand what is important. They know how to identify the
organization's needed ideas, target audiences, and plan effective
communication.
The Managing Director will develop, implement, and evaluate a strategic
communications and marketing plan aligned with the EdReports 2023–2027
strategic plan, advancing our mission to provide high-quality instructional
materials for students and teachers. This role also includes overseeing a team
of three senior staff members.
**Key Responsibilities & Outcomes**
**Strategy Development, Planning, Implementation, and Production - 50%**
* Lead the development and implementation of a multichannel national marketing and communications strategy aligned with EdReports’ 2023-27 strategic plan and annual OKRs. This includes raising awareness of our reviews, optimizing earned and paid opportunities, and building a pipeline of invested stakeholders;
* Oversee the development of EdReports messaging by creating talking points, and FAQs, and handling tough Q&As. Ensure that key messages are reflected in all publications and events and that staff are adequately trained to deliver these messages as necessary;
* Design and implement a sophisticated constituent tracking and conversion strategy that provides insights and data on user behaviors and needs related to EdReports.org and related initiatives;
* Collaborate with Development, Product, and Technical Assistance staff to create and edit materials for philanthropic and fee-for-service priorities;
* Serve as editor-in-chief by collaborating on content plan development, overseeing the production of all external marketing and communications content, editing materials, and leading quality control and consistency;
* Lead an iterative website strategy in partnership with web development staff and cross-office stakeholders, leveraging analytic data alongside qualitative feedback to ensure the highest quality user experience;
* Spearhead the execution of marketing campaigns, including test and control group segmentation, testing, tracking, results reporting, analysis, and recommendations;
* Lead media relations efforts to promote major EdReports initiatives, drive an earned media strategy, and manage crisis communications needs in collaboration with the Chief External Affairs Officer and the executive team;
* Coach the executive team and key spokespeople in media preparedness as necessary.
_Strategy Development, Planning, Implementation, and Production Outcomes_
* _Annual strategic communications plan aligned to organizational OKRS with explicit campaigns tied to brand building and lead generation;_
* _By the 90-day milestone, finalize and begin implementation of a growth marketing strategy inclusive of structural elements needed to execute (e.g. Salesforce, Pardot dashboards, and reports);_
* _Talking Points and Key Messages connected to high priority areas/risks;_
* _Monthly progress updates on grant deliverables;_
* _By six-month milestone, implement a dynamic website strategy that includes aspirational yet attainable metrics that demonstrate improvement in user engagement and experience scores._
**Thought Leadership - 20%**
_This body of work intersects with_ **_Strategy Development, Planning,
Implementation, and Production_** *but requires dedicated commitment of time
and resources to execute to expectations. *
* Partner closely with the Chief External Affairs Officer to set the direction and strategy for multi-year thought leadership efforts aligned to the strategic plan;
* Define and implement a multi-channel approach across all content areas, showcasing the knowledge and expertise retained within EdReports and its network;
* Manage staff thought leadership efforts, in the creation of high quality, timely, and high-impact outputs. Promoting an environment of shared success and teamwork, connecting staff with peers across different practices and areas;
* Build meaningful relationships and lead discussions with industry stakeholders, including funders, partners, and school systems;
* Develop and implement annual thought leadership OKRs that can be shared internally and externally;
* Partner with key EdReports teams (Product & Growth, Development) and leadership to integrate activities and value proposition.
_Thought leadership Outcomes_
* _By the 90-day milestone:_
* _Defined external thought leadership strategy that integrates seamlessly with an annual communications plan;_
* _A clear grasp of the annual conference strategy and identified activities to develop and support staff application processes and presentations;_
* _On track to securing a minimum of three earned media placements by the end of the next 60 days;_
* _Annual staff message training plan, with tiered supports for EdReports spokespeople and Leadership;_
* _In collaboration with key internal stakeholders, a joint external partner strategy that leverages outside audiences to build our brand credibility and reach;_
* _Monthly progress updates on thought leadership milestones._
**Team Management - 20%**
* Supervise, coach, and evaluate the MarComms team in service of annual goals and EdReports core values;
* Lead and participate in key External Affairs office and sub-team meetings, including standup meetings, team leads meetings, and account management meetings;
* Contribute to oversight of budget and capacity needed to execute on projects, make recommendations for staffing and consulting support, manage team capacity and project staffing, and negotiate contracts with vendors and partners as appropriate;
* Support staff development through a robust performance management system;
* Select, hire, and manage marketing and communications vendors and contractors, as needed.
_Team Management Outcomes_
* _Consistent performance management support resulting in direct reports receiving regular actionable feedback;_
* _Monthly progress updates on team annual plans in service of OKRs;_
* _Lead quarterly OKR stepback for team and actively engage in External Affairs office stepback;_
* _Active engagement in quarterly budget reviews;_
* _Contribute to and facilitate portions of quarterly External Affairs all-hands meetings._
**Organizational Contribution – 10%**
* Contribute to the overall strategic direction and effectiveness of the organization;
* Lead and support cross-functional teams on projects as needed; and
* Other duties as assigned.
_Organizational Contribution Outcomes_
* _Engaged attendance at bi-monthly all staff meetings and Leadership DBIE learning sessions;_
* *Active participation in annual organizational OKR setting. *
**Key Qualifications**
**Marketing & Communications Strategy Development, Planning, Implementation,
and Production**
* 10+ years of leadership experience with expertise in strategic communications, multichannel marketing, and thought leadership;
* Demonstrated ability to synthesize data and identify market opportunities, create strategic plans, develop brand-building strategies, and align key stakeholders to execute and deliver;
* Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with high attention to detail and ability to translate academic or technical information into easily understandable communications for the general public;
* Expert knowledge of multi-channel marketing strategies;
* Demonstrated experience leading complex website redesign projects;
* Exceptional project management skills and an ability to work efficiently, navigate ambiguity, and prioritize effectively in a virtual environment;
* Demonstrated experience managing and directing budgets;
* Basic understanding of HTML coding, Photoshop, and video production;
* Some expertise in the K–12 national curriculum, policy, and standards landscape is preferred but not required.
**Thought Leadership**
* Demonstrated experience in developing and leading thought leadership efforts with staff, building relationships with external stakeholders in pioneering innovative strategies, and gaining and sharing influential market insights;
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, at varying levels.
**Team Management**
* 6+ years of managing and coaching teams to achieve ambitious results, including identifying system barriers, developing solutions to address gaps, and effectively navigating through organizational layers;
* Demonstrated commitment to inclusive leadership and centering equity and proven team development, management, and leadership skills, including the ability to drive consensus among executive stakeholders and translate that into action;
* Experience managing crisis communications and leading media training for staff is preferred but not required.
**Mission Alignment and Organizational Contribution**
* Passion for EdReports’ [mission and vision](https://www.edreports.org/about), [core values](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ydu5H2_hIagu58_PBMfUNnXbhMO_Ss8t/view?usp=sharing), and [commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity](https://edreports.org/equity-statement);
* Ability to work independently with minimum supervision;
* Ability to quickly gather context and build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels of an organization;
* A Bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for degrees in communications, public relations, marketing, business administration, journalism, or a related field.
**Salary**
The salary for this position is $129,000 - $139,000 annually. At EdReports, in
determining a final salary for a position, we consider the role and the
experience and skill needed while striving to maintain equity in our
compensation bands. For this and other reasons, our salary offers are non-
negotiable.
**Benefits**
We know the importance of living a fulfilling, healthy life–both
professionally and personally. That’s why some of the benefits we offer
include:
* 160 hours of PTO that is prorated to the employee’s start date,
* unlimited sick time,
* 3 personal days,
* EdReports pays for 90% of health care for both the employee and their immediate family;
* 401k that new hires become eligible for after six months of employment (includes safe harbor, employer match, etc.), and
* 21 days of paid holidays and office closure days in 2024.
**Travel - up to 10%**
National travel will occur related to organizational needs and for
professional learning, as needed. The amount of travel will be monitored to
ensure it is appropriate for both the organization and the Managing Director,
Marketing & Communications.
**Physical Requirements**
Including, but not limited to standing and sitting for long periods of time;
speaking loudly and clearly; seeing and hearing things both near and far away;
and reaching, stooping, kneeling, and fine-finger and hand manipulation in use
of a computer, chalkboard, dry erase board, or projector. Employee is required
to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and
analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and
extensive reading. This person will travel by car, air, or other
transportation (as indicated above) and should be able to physically withstand
the demands of frequent travel. Employee may be required to walk for long
distances at event venues, conference and training locations, or other
relevant sites.
