Chief External Affairs Officer

AERDF•Oakland, CA

9d•Remote

About The Position

The Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) will lead the development and execution of AERDF’s external strategy, positioning the organization as a leading force in education innovation, learning science, and equitable R&D. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CEAO will serve as a key member of the leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO and Board. The CEAO will oversee communications, marketing, partnerships, and development, ensuring these functions operate in a coordinated and high-impact manner to advance AERDF’s mission and strategic priorities. Working from a strong understanding of AERDF’s model and the broader external landscape, the CEAO will define and execute a comprehensive external affairs strategy, encompassing narrative, brand, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, to increase AERDF’s visibility, influence, and long-term sustainability.

Requirements

Senior external affairs leader with a demonstrated ability to operate at both the strategic and executional levels within complex, mission-driven organizations.
Track record of developing and executing integrated external strategies, including communications, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, that drive organizational visibility, influence, and growth.
Player-coach leader, capable of building and scaling functions while personally leading high-impact initiatives, relationships, and outcomes.
Ability to translate complex, technical R&D work into a clear, compelling external strategy and narrative.
Strong strategic instinct with a competitive, field-shaping mindset.
Experience aligning communications, partnerships, and fundraising into a unified external agenda.
Track record of “getting things done” with visible progress and measurable outcomes.
Ability to build systems, set priorities, and drive disciplined execution across multiple functions.
Comfort operating in ambiguity while maintaining momentum and accountability.
Deep experience across communications/marketing, philanthropy, policy, partnerships.
Ability to build and scale a high-performing external affairs function.
Credibility with funders, partners, and external stakeholders at the highest levels.
Ability to lead, manage, and develop teams while driving clarity, accountability, and performance.
Willingness to operate both strategically and tactically (player-coach mindset).
Strong collaborator across leadership team and functions.
Gravitas and Executive Presence.
Commands credibility with the CEO, Board, and senior external stakeholders.
Represents AERDF’s strategy with clarity, authority, and confidence.
Exceptional ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders (funders, researchers, policymakers, practitioners).
Skilled at convening and aligning cross-sector partners—reflecting AERDF’s role as a connector.
Outstanding communicator with the ability to simplify complex ideas without losing rigor.
Brings energy and clarity to storytelling—internally and externally.
Balances long-term vision with near-term execution.
Brings a strong point of view while remaining adaptable.
Deep commitment to equity and improving outcomes for historically underserved students.
Operates with authenticity, urgency, and a results-oriented mindset.
Builds trust through transparency, follow-through, and impact.

Nice To Haves

Senior leadership experience across external affairs, communications, development, or partnerships
Demonstrated success in major fundraising and philanthropic engagement
Experience translating complex or technical work into compelling external narratives
Track record of building and scaling teams and functions
Experience engaging effectively with Boards and senior stakeholders

Responsibilities

Partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team to drive and coordinate AERDF’s multi-year external strategy, aligning external priorities with enterprise goals
Support Board-level strategic discussions and presentations related to external affairs, positioning, and growth
Monitor the external environment, including philanthropy, research, policy, and adjacent sectors, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that may impact AERDF’s strategy
Assess progress against strategic goals and ensure alignment between external affairs activities and organizational priorities
Drive and scale AERDF’s fundraising efforts, expanding and diversifying philanthropic support, with a focus on major donors and long-term capital partners
Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Board to cultivate and steward key funder relationships
Ensure strong coordination between fundraising, communications, and partnerships to support organizational growth
Shape and articulate a clear, compelling external narrative that translates AERDF’s complex R&D model into an accessible and differentiated value proposition
Lead the development of an integrated communications and marketing strategy across channels, including digital, media, convenings, and publications, to ensure consistent messaging and strong brand positioning
Build and lead a high-performing communications and storytelling function, elevating AERDF’s voice and positioning as a thought leader
Identify and enable opportunities for senior leaders to engage externally through media, conferences, and public forums
Oversee internal communications to ensure alignment, clarity of strategy, and consistency of messaging across the organization
Build and maintain executive-level relationships across philanthropic, public, and private sectors, as well as with researchers, system leaders, and ecosystem partners
Position AERDF to effectively communicate its outcomes, impact, and learning to diverse audiences across the education and innovation landscape
Serve as a visible spokesperson and ambassador, representing AERDF in public forums, convenings, and with key stakeholders
Position AERDF as a leading voice in education innovation and learning science, leveraging its work to expand influence and reach new audiences
Identify and lead opportunities for convenings, partnerships, and public engagement that elevate AERDF’s work and shape the broader field
Develop and implement strategic campaigns to encourage adoption and use of AERDF’s insights, tools, and innovations by key stakeholders and systems
Define the vision and strategy for AERDF’s external influence efforts, ensuring alignment with long-term priorities
Build partnerships and coalitions that extend AERDF’s reach and contribute to shaping the broader education and R&D ecosystem
Establish a clear operating cadence across external affairs functions, including planning cycles, priority setting, and performance tracking
Define KPIs and ensure disciplined execution with measurable outcomes
Build and scale high-performing teams across communications, partnerships, and development, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
Serve as a visible culture carrier, reinforcing and exemplifying AERDF’s values while operating with a builder’s mindset, bringing a hands-on, start-up mentality prioritizing agility and ownership in a dynamic, evolving environment