High-impact Marketing & Communications Manager Role - Center for Educational Leadership

[GSommers]

Online Job Description

WHO WE ARE
The Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) engages school leaders, central office leaders and teacher leaders in professional learning so that they can create equitable experiences and outcomes, especially for students furthest from justice. CEL is in its third decade as a self-sustaining service arm of the University of Washington College of Education, and we have formed strengths-based partnerships with school systems across the country. Our research-based frameworks and side-by-side approach to professional learning aims to eliminate inequities by centering the voices and experiences of students, especially those who have been marginalized in schools, so that they can have experiences in school that make them feel happy and proud. We are a team committed to antiracism and growing a culture of belonging within our team; our team is guided by our values of: People, Curiosity, Learning, Collaboration, Integrity, Impact. We have worked virtually for the past two years and are moving forward as a hybrid organization. The person in this role is not required to live in the Seattle area.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The primary role of the Marketing & Communications Manager is to help CEL attract vision and mission-aligned partners by increasing audience engagement with CEL’s ideas, research and professional learning. The Marketing & Communications Manager is responsible for all aspects of CEL’s communications and marketing efforts, including stewarding CEL’s brand, generating appropriate content about our work and areas of focus and engaging our audience through multiple formats. Working with CEL’s Chief Impact Officer, you will frequently collaborate across the organization to surface and incorporate new insights and developments in our professional learning. You will lead and manage, when appropriate, student assistants or contracted writers, graphic designers and copy editors to support marketing and communications priorities. Key outcomes for this role are improved visibility to key audiences, higher levels of audience engagement at different points in the partnership lifecycle and increased lead generation with potential partners who are aligned to CEL’s vision and mission.

You should consider becoming CEL’s Marketing & Communications Manager if you:
• Enjoy working in a mission-driven organization focused on education, believe in the importance of centering the voices of individuals and communities who have been marginalized in schools and are eager to work towards impact for communities that have historically been furthest from justice;
• Are a creative risk-taker and have superior writing skills, including the ability to adapt tone and personality for different purposes and audiences;
• Thrive in environments where you get to both think big picture and make plans for the future, while also rolling up your sleeves and executing on the day-to-day tasks of maintaining effective marketing and communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Marketing
• Develop inbound marketing campaigns from start to finish, including setting up tracking systems for campaigns and online activities
• Plan and manage the design, content and production of all marketing materials, ensuring core messages about the organization and its work are current and serve the needs of our team
• Collaborate with internal team members to translate key initiatives into external messages,communication and marketing opportunities
• Organize and use data to continuously improve progress towards key performance indicators

Content Generation
• Prioritize and manage a portfolio of opportunities to share the work of CEL and our partners in long-form, short-form, video, webinar and other media
• Create and manage the creation of interesting and informative content that brings forward CEL’s vision, mission and professional learning impact
• Nurture and cultivate storytelling across the organization
• Develop and support a thought leadership agenda for CEL leadership

Audience Engagement
• Develop, monitor and continuously improve strategies for communicating with central office leaders and school leaders to increase their awareness and engagement with CEL resources and professional learning
• Develop and manage a social media strategy to increase audience awareness and engagement with CEL and issues important to our organization
• Support prioritization, planning and preparation for CEL conference appearances
• Manage communication and coordination with the University of Washington and the College of Education

Brand Stewardship
• Ensure CEL’s visual identity and brand personality are reflected in website, materials, resources and communications across the partner lifecycle

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Marketing, Education or a related field, to include at least 5 years of experience developing and managing all aspects of a strategic marketing or communications plan including determining goals and strategies, creating tactical plans, identifying resource requirements and producing materials or content.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Experience with marketing or communications for a K-12 related nonprofit or business, a K-12 school district or with a mission-focused organization generating earned revenue.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all team members.
• Strong writer, editor and proofreader who can empathize with CEL’s audience and adjust personality and tone for different efforts.
• Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively within a team, selecting and directing the work with third party vendors, and managing numerous projects while simultaneously bringing them to successful, timely completion.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with proven ability to produce quality products quickly and to work under tight deadlines.

DESIRED:
• Experience managing a group of vendors and consultants, including writers, copy editors and graphic designers.
• Experience with and knowledge of inbound marketing methodology.
• Creative and collaborative thinker with an audience-first mindset.
• Curiosity, comfort with ambiguity and ability to learn on the fly. Willing to chip in and take on small projects as needed.
• Proficient in use of software and applications such as HubSpot, WordPress, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, InDesign, Google Analytics.