This position plays an important role in connecting the Marketing, Sales, Product Management, and Executive teams. You will work in partnership with the Sr. Manager, Strategic/Executive Communications and Product Marketing, to develop and deliver strategic communications and marketing plans for NWEA State Solutions. State Solutions are highly consultative sales, often conducted through formal RFPs. As such, the critical focus is on creating compelling communications that educate the market, engage key influencers and decision makers, and elevate the organization’s profile in the state space. You will also play a key role in supporting the organization’s overall leadership strategies, contributing to the development of influencer engagement and thought leadership efforts.
Who You Are...
You are a learner who is curious, driven, proactive, and committed to excellence. A skilled writer and marketer, you enjoy translating complex concepts for diverse audiences. You can juggle competing priorities, are an experienced self-manager, and like being part of a collaborative, hard-working, and fun team. You value diversity. You are informed and passionate about issues impacting students in the K-12 system and stay motivated by the knowledge that your work can increase educational opportunity for students. You follow industry trends and love staying on top of the day’s news. Developing detailed briefings and recommendations for organizational leaders is a piece of cake. Technology and assessment interest you and challenge is a necessity for job satisfaction.
Your Next Challenge...
- Contribute to the development of marketing and communications plans for State Solutions and NWEA leadership initiatives.
- Identify, define, and segment target audiences, developing buyer personas and audience profiles.
- In collaboration with Digital and Content leads, drive the development of print and digital materials such as fact sheets, case studies, and other product collateral.
- Partner with Creative department and/or third parties to develop the tools that support the selling process (e.g. PPTs, videos, etc.).
- Create and execute a plan to use social media to support the development of relationships between NWEA leaders and relevant individuals and organizations.
- Develop and manage a speaker’s bureau and proactively obtain speaking opportunities for State Solutions and NWEA leaders.
- Help to execute communications deliverables included as part of contract agreements with State Solutions partners.
- Support crisis communications in response to critical incidents in collaboration with members of cross functional team.
- Monitor industry issues and competitive landscape to keep the State Solutions and Thought Leadership teams informed and to adjust positioning and messaging as required.
Traits for Success...
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing communications and marketing programs
- Practiced in conducting industry and influencer research and in developing effective briefings for leaders
- Skilled in partnering with Creative teams to guide the development of visuals that communicate complex concepts
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail
- Strategic, critical thinker with strong problem-solving ability
- Ability to synthesize technical, complex information
- Experience working across multiple teams and departments
- Understanding of and passion for the K-12 education space
- Knowledge of relevant legislative policies and challenges impacting districts and state departments of education a plus
- Social media experience a plus
- Experience working in technology services and software markets a plus
- Community engagement and/or not-for-profit experience a plus
Education and Experience...
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, public relations, marketing, or related field
- Minimum five years experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field
About the Marketing Team...
The marketing team is a fun, creative and collaborative group of professionals in the fields of product marketing, field marketing, marketing operations, events, digital, communications, public & media relations, creative and media services and content development. Our mix of art and metrics helps bring the NWEA brand to life. We strategize, communicate, measure, and analyze to improve interaction with NWEA. To tell the NWEA story in ways that compel prospects to become partners and partners to feel supported, we work with other teams to support our mission: Partnering to help all kids learn®.
About Us…
NWEA™ is a research-based, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. For 40 years, NWEA has developed innovative Pre-K–12 assessments, including our flagship interim assessment, MAP® Growth™; our progress monitoring and skills mastery tool, MAP® Skills™; and the OECD Test for Schools (based on PISA). Educators trust our professional learning offerings to accelerate student learning and our research to support assessment validity and data interpretation. Our tools are trusted by educators in 140 countries and more than half the schools in the U.S.
What We Can Offer You…
At NWEA we not only offer competitive pay, a 15% contribution of eligible employees’ base salary to a defined contribution 403(b) retirement savings plan, career development opportunities and an awesome culture, we also offer industry leading benefits and perks that are focused on supporting our employees’ holistic wellbeing. To learn more about what we can offer more, click here.
Connect with Us…
NWEA™ endeavors to make www.nwea.org accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please call us at (503) 624-1951 or e-mail us at onlineaccommodations@nwea.org and let us know the nature of your request, your location and your contact information. This is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
NWEA™ is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here.
If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please visit the following EEOC website.