Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications will develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that catalyzes our strategic plan, elevates our brand, and unifies all stakeholders in support of our mission. As a strategic, driven leader who recognizes the inherent excellence of Brooklyn's children, you will tell the story of our relentless pursuit of excellence. Reporting directly to the Managing Director of Marketing and Communications, this role will oversee the end-to-end marketing and communications strategy for Ascend while directly supervising the marketing and communication team.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Leadership: Develop a comprehensive strategic communications plan with metrics and analytics that supports organizational priorities, broadens visibility, engages key stakeholders, and demonstrates impact
• Media Relations: Serve as primary liaison for media inquiries in tandem with the CPO, proactively building meaningful relationships with external media
• Student Recruitment Support: Collaborate with enrollment leaders to develop and implement effective student recruitment strategies and family outreach efforts
• Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding: Lead the development and execution of comprehensive employer branding strategies to attract top talent; create robust candidate cultivation communications including recruitment campaigns, executive interview materials, and internal employee job announcements to drive applications, improve candidate experience, and increase quality of hires.
• Talent Marketing: Design and implement targeted marketing initiatives to showcase Ascend as an employer of choice in the education sector, highlighting our unique perspective on literacy as a social justice issue, and professional growth opportunities
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Support network development efforts by collaborating with relevant departments and developing specific strategies to transform staff into brand ambassadors.
• Creating concrete tools like toolkits and training programs and implementing recognition programs for those who effectively represent the brand
• Digital Platform Management: Oversee strategic management of core communications platforms including websites, social media presence, and newsletters
• School Communications Framework: Develop and implement a framework for school-driven communications that supports Ascend's mission
• Internal Communications: Drive an internal communications strategy that reinforces our commitment to DEIA, improves collaboration, increases staff retention, and celebrates Ascend
• FOIL Responsibilities: Serve as one of the Network's Freedom of Information Law Officers to receive and prepare responses to requests

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree, preferably in a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in internal and external communications, marketing, and public relations
• Experience in the education sector strongly preferred
• Experience with mission-driven marketing and donor stewardship preferred
• Proven results developing and implementing marketing and messaging strategies with related metrics
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong active listening abilities
• Highly effective strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a proven record of meeting ambitious goals
• Exceptional relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Track record of creating and improving systems with experience leveraging technology
• Demonstrated success managing teams, including leading, coaching and mentoring individuals

Core Competencies and Mindsets

• Professionalism: Demonstrates ethical behavior, accountability, reliability, and respect in the workplace
• Receptiveness to Feedback: Accepts and applies constructive criticism for continuous improvement
• Efficiency & Productivity: Manages time, resources, and tasks effectively to achieve high performance
• Problem Solving: Analyzes situations, identifies solutions, and makes decisions to resolve issues efficiently
• Strategic Thinking: Plans and aligns actions with long-term goals, considers organizational context and cross-functional alignment
• Decision-Making: Assesses information critically, weighs options, and makes sound decisions that drive results
• Entrepreneurial mindset with commitment to preserving a bold, can-do culture
• Commitment to Ascend's values of integrity, curiosity, community, empowerment, growth, daring, and excellence
• Ability to utilize data insights to drive high-impact action
• Leadership presence with strong stakeholder engagement skills

Commitment to Diversity

Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission, vision and values.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this position is $115,000 - $135,000. Several factors such as candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York City.