Director Of Marketing & Communications

Job Summary

We seek a mission-driven, enthusiastic Director of Marketing and Communications to support our efforts to provide equity-focused programming to improve the educational outcomes for students in underinvested communities in Chicago and beyond. The Director will lead the charge to improve AUSL's brand awareness and market AUSL's Chicago Teacher Residency and Advisory Services programs. The ideal candidate will share AUSL’s passion for equity in education, have demonstrated experience in successfully building a brand, and have extensive knowledge of leveraging digital and traditional marketing channels in a dynamic and integrated environment.

Essential Job Functions:

Marketing Plan & Strategy

• Ensure that the appropriate systems, staffing, and procedures are in place to support marketing and storytelling initiatives properly.
• Communicate and effectively report progressive outcomes to the AUSL executive team and the AUSL board.
• Create and monitor an evaluation system related to AUSL marketing goals and objectives.
• Responsible for achieving the goals and objectives of the marketing and communications plan.
• Leads the development and implementation of a multi-year marketing and communications plan and ensures adherence to the goals and brand outlined therein.
• Analyze marketing data (marketing campaign results, conversion rates, traffic, etc.) to help shape future AUSL marketing strategies
• Serve as the AUSL marketing and communications expert, both internally to our network of schools and externally to all stakeholders.

Brand Management

Ensure that AUSL’s brand identity, messaging, marketing, and communications strategies are infused in all organizational efforts (programs, philanthropy)

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual marketing and communications plan that includes social media, print, digital content, and email marketing.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate marketing campaigns related to programs, special events, and donor cultivation.

Content Strategy and Management

• Lead the strategy and generation of engaging digital content for AUSL’s WordPress website(s), social media, and email channels that leads to measurable action of engagement.
• Oversee the development, design, distribution, and maintenance of high-quality AUSL print and digital collateral including, but not limited to an AUSL annual progress report, brochures, presentations, newsletters, and reports.

Press and Public Relations

• Guide the strategy on press outreach, including messaging in press releases, creation of press kits and materials, interview preparation, and responses to media requests.
• Identify trends, and monitor current events and influencers to anticipate opportunities for AUSL to engage in and/or lead the national conversation on teacher training and K-12 consulting.

Team Management

• Develop, supervise, and evaluate the Digital Marketing Manager to meet or exceed performance metrics.
• The Digital Marketing Manager is responsible for managing AUSL’s WordPress website and developing and managing digital marketing campaigns (web, SEO/SEM, marketing database, email, social media, videos, and display advertising) that will resonate with key audiences.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ability to understand changing market dynamics, translating them into actionable strategies to achieve AUSL objectives.
• 5-7 years of well-rounded marketing experience in positions of increasing responsibility
• A hands-on collaborative style of working is a must!
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and desktop publishing programs, Adobe Creative Suite programs, and an understanding of social media platforms.
• A thorough understanding of a Word Press Content Management System
• Master’s degree with a specialization in Marketing preferred.
• An understanding of all aspects of print material production; development and implementation of social media plans; and working with the press and other related media outlets.
• Thorough knowledge of marketing principles, brand, product and service management, sales, and business development; along with a demonstrated track record of success and performance.
• Advanced experience working with a variety of traditional and modern marketing and communications functions including branding and messaging to different target audiences.
• A thorough understanding of leveraging social media channels