Director of Marketing

Job Summary
The Director of Marketing role is an integral part of KIPP DC Public Schools’ external affairs team. This role is responsible for developing and executing the marketing strategy of KIPP DC with a significant focus on elevating KIPP DC’s brand in the greater D.C. community. The starting salary range for this role is $125,223-$138,403. This is a full-time, occasionally flexible role based at KIPP DC’s headquarters with an anticipated immediate start date.

About KIPP DC

For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.

Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.

As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.

About the team
The external affairs team is all about pushing KIPP DC forward. We're responsible for building strong relationships with our community and engaging our students, alumni, families, staff, and supporters. Our team is the powerhouse behind marketing & communications, fundraising & partnerships, and more. We amplify successes, tackle challenges head-on, and keep our community excited about KIPP DC's mission. The team supports schools and central office teams in achieving their goals and ensures that everyone feels valued in the process.

About the Role
The Director of Marketing will work collaboratively to strategize and project manage the marketing needs of KIPP DC’s fundraising and partnerships, staff recruitment, student recruitment, community engagement, alumni support, instructional leadership, and school teams. The director will manage a team responsible for marketing campaigns, creative services, and digital media & content. This is an exempt position and will report to the Chief External Affairs Officer.

As a Director, this position must also ensure adherence to established internal control policies and procedures and maintain compliance within the organization.

Location and Type of Work
As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support, and this position will regularly provide on-site support to school teams, frequently partner with other headquarters teams, or regularly work in multiple locations. Because of the nature of the work, this role allows for occasional flexibility and will be required to be onsite 4 days per week.

Key Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.

Brand Strategy & Execution (40%)

Develop and implement marketing vision, strategy, and operations plans to support efforts, including fundraising, teacher recruitment, student recruitment, employee communications, alumni experience, community engagement, school operations, and the overall KIPP DC brand.
Identify, evaluate, and execute opportunities that increase KIPP DC’s visibility among key audiences.
Grow and manage KIPP DC’s digital marketing strategy, including the website, e-mail campaigns, social media, digital advertising, and search engine optimization.
Provide thought partnership to school and headquarters leaders about KIPP DC’s marketing strategy.
Analyze market trends and conduct competitive analysis to inform marketing strategies and ensure KIPP DC’s brand remains competitive.
Develop and oversee the implementation of integrated marketing campaigns that drive engagement and enrollment.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of marketing strategies with organizational goals.
Measure and report on the performance of marketing campaigns, using data-driven insights to optimize strategies and improve ROI.

Marketing Team Management (40%)

Manage the marketing team, including a creative services manager, marketing campaign manager, and content manager.
- Hire, onboard, and coach new team members to achieve marketing goals.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the marketing team by encouraging professional development and staying abreast of industry best practices.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members to support their growth and development.
Coordinate and collaborate with KIPP Foundation and other KIPP regions on cross-regional campaigns, knowledge sharing, and best practices.
Manage a $250,000 annual budget to produce marketing collateral, merchandise, advertising, and large-scale event production.
Develop and implement processes to streamline marketing operations and improve team efficiency.

Marketing & Communications Content Creation (10%)

Create and manage engaging marketing pieces consistent with KIPP DC’s brand, such as one-pagers, newsletters, direct mail, annual reports, and advertising, to attract attention and generate interest.
Maintain brand consistency and graphic identity with a strong eye for visual design elements, including logo design, creation of invitations, and other marketing materials.
Advance KIPP DC’s brand identity and key message points to strengthen strategic positioning in the D.C. community, implementing a complex brand migration strategy that builds investment in our evolving organizational identity and advances the organization’s regional equity and inclusion agenda.
Develop and execute content strategies that enhance KIPP DC’s online presence and engage target audiences.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure content aligns with organizational goals and messaging. Utilize data analytics to refine content strategies and improve audience engagement and conversion rates.

External Affairs Leadership (10% of time)

Assist in developing the strategy and consult on the planning of other team and organizational priorities as needed.
Develop and maintain systems to communicate progress to goals and strategies across the advancement team and to key stakeholders.
Participate in and lead KIPP DC and external affairs team activities, including staff meetings, professional development conferences and retreats, fundraising events, and other public relations opportunities.
Support all teams in the hands-on execution of programs and events as requested.
Represent KIPP DC at external events and conferences to promote the organization’s brand and build relationships with key stakeholders.

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree
At least 7 years of marketing, campaign, digital communications, or project and relationship management experience
People management experience
Excellent writing, communication, design, and presentation skills
Mastery of Microsoft or Google suite applications, project management software, and constituent relationship management systems
Experience with digital marketing and design applications, email marketing platforms, social media, and digital advertising platforms

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in education or community-serving nonprofits preferred
Extraordinary attention to detail, both in planning and execution

Physical Requirements

The external affairs team is frequently required to run and staff events that occur on weekends and evenings.
Ability to travel to our 8 KIPP DC campuses and headquarters office.

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:

Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.

Benefits & Compensation

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $125,223-$138,403. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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Marketing

Director of Marketing