POSITION SUMMARY:

The Educare Learning Network (ELN) Senior Marketing Manager plays a strategic role as a brand and message steward to support the Educare Learning Network in its mission to demonstrate that research-based early childhood education prevents the persistent achievement gap for our nation’s most at-risk young children. The Senior Marketing Manager will lead and support key brand and network marketing initiatives to drive awareness and engagement in the ELN and transform the field of early childhood education.  The Sr. Marketing Manager will develop internal and external communications strategies and materials for a variety of audiences and engage the media, key stakeholders and other target audiences in the ELN’s work to impact the field of early childhood education through pro-active and reactive marketing and media relations.  The ELN Sr. Marketing Manager also collaborates with on-site communications staff across the network of schools, providing marketing and communications advice and consulting for school leaders, and provides marketing support for large Network events.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The ELN Sr. Marketing Manager reports to the Director of Marketing and has one direct report, the Sr. Marketing Associate.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILTIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Develop marketing and communications strategies and plans for the ELN
• Develop communications tactics and materials that clearly articulate Educare’s approach to research-based programmatic and policy issues to impact the broader early childhood field  
• Provide oversight and consultation for the Network to ensure that all written and digital materials and communications adhere to both brand management guidelines and the Network’s messaging.
• Develop and implement plans for timely and strategic dissemination of online and print communications/materials to strengthen relationships to stakeholder groups and keep them updated and engaged in the work of Educare.
• Craft strategies to support the dissemination of research and policy initiatives from the Educare network to impact the early childhood field
• Manage the educareschools.org website and create web-appropriate content for it and other Educare-affiliated websites.
• Collaborate with the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, partners in the Educare Network, to effectively carry out our joint marketing efforts to positively impact the network of schools and the early childhood education field
• Develop/refine the social media strategy for the Network, and create targeted digital strategies to showcase innovation and help the Network share its best practices with the early childhood field
• Oversee/manage the creative development and production process (conceptualization, writing, editing, design, printing, distribution) for publications and videos.
• Research and serve as copy writer for Educare materials, including special reports, briefing papers, letters, fact sheets, brochures, summaries, etc. Provide ad hoc copy editing services on other materials, leveraging internal and external partnerships.
• Write/edit press releases; pitch programmatic milestones or research to secure proactive media placements about the work of the ELN and its impact on the field.
• Cultivate relationships with local and national media and maintain updated media contacts listing; respond to media inquiries on behalf of the Network; prepare Network representatives for media interviews and events; track and maintain media coverage edit and write remarks, talking points, and PowerPoint presentations for ELN staff for use at Network meetings, cultivation events, and conferences.
• Manage analysis of all marketing activities across digital and print communications and track/ report on these activities on a regular basis
• Oversee development and maintenance of ELN’s graphic warehouse, including photos, videos, b-roll and other resources.
• Serve as a primary contact in the Network’s Crisis Communications plan; refine/ develop issues management plans of action to be prepared for specific occurrences as needed
• Provide training, communications and branding consulting for new schools and/or leaders entering the network
• Provide coaching and guidance to direct report responsible for leading the marketing and communications efforts for the network, including support of large Network events

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, English or related field with a minimum of 7 years of experience, OR a Master’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the above fields. Experience managing and developing direct reports preferred.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Must have excellent command of English language, both written and verbal.
• Must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Must be able to travel; Travel requirement: 20%