Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications

The Board of Control for the Southern Regional Education•Atlanta, GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) is seeking a Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications to lead its marketing and strategic communications function. This role is crucial for carrying SREB's story to a wider audience and accelerating its visibility as it shapes its next strategic vision and plan. The Director will report directly to the President, work closely with program, research, and data teams, and direct an external agency partner. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, forward-looking leader who can translate new ideas into measurable results. Responsibilities include stewarding and evolving SREB's message platform and brand standards, contributing to the strategic plan, defining and executing an integrated marketing strategy to grow audience engagement, and transforming SREB's research and data into compelling content for various channels. The role also involves leading communications for publications and launches, strengthening internal and member communications, and directing an internal team and external agency partner to achieve departmental objectives.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.