Director of Marketing and Communications

Job Posting: Director of Marketing and Communications 

About North Carolina Education Corps 

North Carolina Education Corps (NCEC) was launched in September 2020 by the North Carolina State Board of Education and Office of the Governor to connect caring adults to support students in North Carolina’s public schools. Now as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, we eliminate barriers to student opportunity by connecting caring adults to support students in evidence-based ways; we are focused on partnering with schools to recruit, train, and coach “corps members” to support students as high-impact tutors.   

Why high-impact tutors? High-impact tutoring is an evidence-based approach to extending the reach of teachers and accelerating student learning, and high-impact literacy and math tutors are needed now more than ever. Prior to the pandemic, for example, data showed that only 36% of North Carolina’s fourth graders could read at or above grade level. Following the pandemic, the situation is worse – and teachers don’t have time to provide the small group instruction that turbocharges student growth. 

As high-impact tutors, NCEC corps members provide targeted 1-on-1 to 1-on-3 tutoring to students, 3 times per week, 30 minutes per session, in-person, at-school, during the school day to accelerate student growth. We know 1-on-1 and small group tutoring has worked for students for thousands of years. We are making high-impact tutors available to more students – especially those most affected by the pandemic – starting by connecting caring adults to help K-3 students learn to read. 

For more information on NCEC, check out our launch video, program overview, 2021-2022 impact brief, and an overview of our growth trajectory.  

EEO  

North Carolina Education Corps (NCEC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We encourage applications from diverse candidates. 

Job Summary 

As an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Marketing and Communications will play a critical role in ensuring NCEC grows to serve more students in alignment with our organizational mission, vision, and values. The Director will be responsible for the development of NCEC’s marketing and communications strategy and will contribute to NCEC’s organizational strategic planning and direction. 

The Director of Marketing and Communications will be accountable for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of marketing and communications activities related to NCEC’s strategic direction and the positioning of the organization and its leadership, and exercise substantial leadership to promote, protect, and enhance the organization’s brand. 

Because NCEC is a growing nonprofit, the Director of Marketing and Communications must enjoy working in an entrepreneurial environment that is fast-paced, mission-driven, and results-oriented. We seek candidates from diverse backgrounds with a passion for our mission, drive for results, curiosity, adaptability, and humility. A good sense of humor goes a long way too.  

Responsibilities 

Marketing and Communications Strategy, Vision, and Leadership 

• Develop and implement an integrated strategic marketing and communications plan to advance North Carolina Education Corps’ mission and goals; promote, protect, and enhance its brand, programs, and priorities; and elevate engagement in its programs across key stakeholder audiences. 
• Create a marketing/public relations strategy that will allow NCEC leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers. 
• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external marketing and communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. 
• Oversee the development of all North Carolina Education Corps print and digital marketing and communications materials including its annual report, tutor and school recruitment and support materials, website, new media, and special events. 
• Serve as marketing and communications counselor to North Carolina Education Corps leadership. 

Marketing and Communications Operations 

Marketing & Communications 

• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the marketing and communications team, including budgeting, plan execution, staff development, and vendor relationships. 
• Directly manage activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organization’s brand reputation. 
• Ensure NCEC creates and publishes a wide range of print and digital content, with a focus on producing engaging materials that are visually appealing and provide good experiences for tutors, educators, funders, and other stakeholders. 
• Manage an editorial calendar and digital asset library. 
• Write and edit content for the NCEC website, newsletters, email marketing campaigns, and social media platforms. 
• Ensure all materials NCEC produces are compliant with the organization’s style guide. 

Media/PR 

• Seek regular opportunities for the Executive Director and board of directors to engage with legislators, education leaders, major foundations, corporate donors, and other organizations. 
• Serve as an ambassador and direct media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization; ensure high-quality written materials for external audiences, including press releases, media advisories, memos, and op-eds. 
• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed. 
• Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding North Carolina Education Corps’ programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects. 

Analytics 

• Ensure monitoring and reporting of print and online engagement analytics (e.g., direct mailings, web, email, social media, earned media); leverage key engagement metrics across platforms to optimize content, messaging, distribution channels, and cost-effectiveness. 
• Monitor news coverage of the organization’s work, as well as current events and trends in the education space in North Carolina. 
• Curate up-to-date lists of relevant social media accounts and contacts. 

Team Development/Management 

• Recruit and manage a marketing and communications team to support the development and execution of the marketing and communications strategy. 
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality. 
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis. 
• Establish and support staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals. 

Perform other related duties as requested and as responsibilities dictate. 

Qualifications 

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, PR, journalism, or a related field 
• Proven experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic marketing, communications, and/or media relations to advance an organization’s mission and goals 
• Creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be used 
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output 
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills 
• Superior management skills: ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers; experience in building, mentoring, and coaching a team  
• Stature, gravitas, and confidence to gain the credibility and respect of a high-performing Board of Directors 
• Self-reliant, good problem solver, results-oriented 
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs 
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical organizational priorities 
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, North Carolina Education Corps’ Board of Directors, and staff 
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker 
• Passion for North Carolina Education Corps’ mission 

Preferred 

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a related management role either in-house or with an agency 
• An eye for graphic design and some familiarity with design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva 
• Proficiency in HubSpot and WordPress 

Impact Opportunity 

• Contribute to a once-in-a-generation initiative to advance student achievement in North Carolina with a whole child and educational equity and opportunity focus 
• Opportunity to contribute at NCEC at an early stage while it’s on a trajectory to become an important fixture in North Carolina’s education landscape 

Additional Information 

This position is a hybrid position and requires frequent in-person presence at NCEC’s office in Raleigh, NC. Additional local and state travel will be required. 

Pay and Benefits 

The hiring range for this position is $97,424–$109,820 per year, depending on experience. The position will receive generous company benefits, including company paid health, dental, vision, life, STD and LTD insurance coverages, Flex Spending Account (FSA), 401k with match, 10 paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid bereavement leave, and 15 days of paid annual leave. 

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter and resume through the simple form on our website nceducationcorps.org/careers. PDF is the preferred format.  

North Carolina Education Corps