Director of Marketing and Strategic CommunicationsReports to: President
Location: Atlanta, GA (SREB headquarters); hybrid - in office Monday and Tuesday
Status: Full-time, exempt
Travel: Occasional overnight travel required
The opportunitySREB has a respected nonpartisan reputation, deep research and data, established programs, and a clear story to tell. This role exists to carry that story to a wider audience and accelerate SREB's visibility.
You will lead SREB's marketing and strategic communications function, direct its external agency partner, evolve its core messaging over time, and help shape SREB's next strategic vision and plan in summer and fall 2026. You will report directly to the President and work closely with program, research, and data teams.
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, forward-looking leader who can translate new ideas into measurable results.
What you will doBrand, messaging, and strategy- Steward and evolve SREB's message platform, keeping it aligned with the strategic plan as it develops.
- Set and maintain brand standards for consistency across every channel and program.
- Contribute brand, messaging, and audience perspective to SREB's next strategic vision and plan.
Marketing, digital, and audience growth- Help define SREB's primary audiences and build an integrated marketing strategy mapped to them, adapting as priorities evolve.
- Own SREB's channels to grow visibility, deepen engagement, and ensure SREB's work reaches the people who need it most.
- Set measurable goals and use analytics to grow reach and engagement and to refine content over time.
Publications, content, and launches- Turn SREB's research and data into press-ready narratives, explainers, and campaign-ready content.
- Lead communications and marketing support for SREB's publications and report launches, from rollout planning through promotion across earned, owned, and social channels.
Internal and member communications- Strengthen internal communications across SREB, helping staff and program teams stay aligned and tell their stories well.
- Support Board and member-state communications, including narrative, key messages, and anticipated questions ahead of key moments.
Team and agency direction- Lead and develop an internal team to meet department objectives.
- Direct the external agency partner against clear priorities, KPIs, and budget, ensuring their work builds SREB's internal capability.
- Establish department processes, tools, and measurements to ensure high quality results.
What you bringRequired- 8+ years in marketing, communications, or public affairs, with a record of building or transforming a function, and experience managing teams and external partners.
- A collaborative, team-first instinct. You build credibility by making others successful and earn trust across an organization through results.
- Success in developing messaging and brand strategy and translating complex content for broad audiences.
- Hands-on fluency with digital and social channels (LinkedIn in particular), email, web content, and analytics.
- Experience supporting senior executives' visibility and directing agencies or vendors against clear goals.
- Excellent writing and editing, with judgment about voice and when restraint serves the message.
- A tech-forward mindset, with genuine enthusiasm for AI-enabled marketing and communications tools.
Preferred- Experience in education, government, or nonpartisan organizations, or a private-sector background in mission-driven, fast-paced, high-growth environments.
- Comfort turning research, data, and policy content into compelling stories.
- Familiarity with the Southern region and its education, policy, and media landscape.
- Strong earned-media instincts and relationships across national, regional, or trade outlets.
What success looks like in the first year- A refined message platform and brand standard in consistent use across SREB.
- A working content engine that converts SREB's research, publications, and data into earned, owned, and social content.
- Measurable growth in SREB's visibility and engagement, with SREB and its leadership recognized as a go-to voice on what works in education.
- A well-directed agency relationship that delivers against KPIs and strengthens internal capability.
- Brand and communications perspective reflected in SREB's next strategic plan.
