Director, Education Programs & Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director, Education Programs & Partnerships

🔹 Company: Encoura

🔹 Location: Remote, US

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Education, Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 23, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic relationship-building with national partner organizations
• Growing and managing existing partnerships to expand Encourage program reach
• Driving engagement with partners through webinars, events, and resources
• Building brand recognition and trust through sponsorships and events
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product adoption and impact

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and experience in relationship management or marketing. Familiarity with college access organizations is preferred but not required.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Serve as the leader on the Marketing team representing the Partnerships team in cross-team collaborations with marketing, product, and engineering teams.

✅ Lead the growth and development of existing partnership programs to extend the reach of the Encourage program and drive increased participation.

✅ Drive engagement with national partner organizations and their networks of students and educators through webinars, conference sessions, resources, and other forms of engagement.

✅ Build brand recognition and build trust of Encourage by planning and executing sponsorships and events with key strategic partners.

✅ Seek opportunities to build awareness of the Encourage program with partners through their promotional channels.

✅ Identify potential resource needs for marketing and content teams to support adoption and implementation of the Encourage product.

✅ Collaborate with Marketing on outreach campaigns and relationships with educators, schools, community-based organizations, and district leaders to drive program adoption and impact.

✅ Champion the Encourage program to key partnership leaders, stakeholders, and other education leaders in the postsecondary planning space via webinars, virtual conferences, live meetings.

✅ Provide continuous feedback to the marketing and product teams to enhance market intelligence, competitive intelligence, and product enhancements.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, relationship-building, and event coordination. Strong communication and presentation skills are crucial for success.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Education, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience: 5-10 years of direct management and leadership experience in Marketing or Relationship Management roles. Educational background or experience is preferred but not required.

Required Skills:

• Strategic planning and data-driven decision-making
• Excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills
• Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking
• Familiarity with college access organizations, districts, educators, and community-based organizations (desired but not required)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with college access organizations or higher education
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in strategic planning, relationship management, and communication. Familiarity with the education sector is a plus but not required.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and benefits package
• 401k company match that is vested immediately upon participation
• Paid holidays and generous PTO policy
• Paid parental leave

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Flexible work hours and remote work arrangement.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Education Administration Programs. Encoura provides custom technology solutions and the nation's largest free college and career planning program, Encourage, used by millions of high school students and educators nationwide.

Company Size: 51-200 employees. As a mid-sized company, Encoura offers a collaborative work environment with opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: 1972. Encoura has evolved its products and services to better represent the link between students and higher education institutions and to create the highest probability of student success.

Company Description:

• Empowers students and institutions to create meaningful connections
• Offers custom technology solutions combining research, data science, and marketing services
• Provides the Encourage program, a free college and career planning resource for high school students and educators

Company Specialties:

• Data science and predictive analytics
• Digital marketing and research
• Higher education enrollment management and marketing
• Omnichannel enrollment services

Company Website: encoura.org

ASSUMPTION: Encoura is a mission-driven company focused on empowering students and institutions. Their mid-sized structure allows for a collaborative work environment with opportunities for growth and impact.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level role, with opportunities for growth and leadership within the Marketing team.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the VP of Marketing for the Encourage program.

Work Arrangement: Fully remote, with flexible work hours.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to lead and grow the Partnerships team
• Opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence product development
• Chance to expand the reach and impact of the Encourage program

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for growth and leadership within the Marketing team. Candidates should be strategic thinkers with a passion for education and relationship-building.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Remote. Encoura does not have a physical office for this role.

Office Location(s): Austin, TX, and Boston, MA (though this role is remote)

Geographic Context:

• Encoura's headquarters are in Austin, TX, with a secondary office in Boston, MA
• The company serves over 2,000 higher education institutions and millions of students nationwide
• This role can be performed remotely, allowing for flexibility in location

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the ability to work remotely.

ASSUMPTION: This role is fully remote, allowing for flexibility in location and work-life balance. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and managing their time effectively.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the Talent Team
• Interview with the VP of Marketing
• Final interview with key stakeholders
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic planning and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Familiarity with the education sector and college access organizations
• Cultural fit and alignment with Encoura's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience in strategic planning, relationship management, and communication
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences related to this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that assess your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Research Encoura's mission, values, and programs to demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with the company

ATS Keywords: Strategic planning, relationship management, marketing, education programs, partnership development, event planning, communication, presentation skills, college access, higher education, student engagement, data-driven decision-making

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic planning, communication, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and alignment with Encoura's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Google Workspace
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace. Familiarity with project management, CRM, and marketing automation tools is preferred but not required.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Empowerment: Encourage growth and development through continuous learning and feedback
• Innovation: Foster a creative and collaborative environment that embraces change and new ideas
• Integrity: Act with honesty and transparency in all aspects of our work
• Excellence: Strive for the highest standards in our work and hold ourselves accountable for results

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Encourage open communication and teamwork
• Adaptable: Embrace change and pivot as needed to achieve our goals
• Data-driven: Use data and insights to inform decision-making and strategy
• Student-centered: Prioritize the needs and success of our students above all else

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Encoura's values in your daily work?
• Describe a time when you had to adapt to significant change or pivot your strategy. How did you approach this situation?
• How do you use data to inform your decision-making and strategy?
• How do you prioritize the needs and success of students in your work?

ASSUMPTION: Encoura values a collaborative, adaptable, data-driven, and student-centered work environment. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with these values and work style preferences.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple national partner organizations with varying needs and priorities
• Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day tactical tasks
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders in the education sector
• Adapting to changes in the education landscape and partner organizations' priorities

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges in managing multiple partner relationships, balancing strategic planning with tactical tasks, and adapting to changes in the education landscape. Candidates should be comfortable with these challenges and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position focuses heavily on relationship-building and partnership management
• This role requires a strong understanding of the education sector and college access organizations, unlike similar roles in other industries
• Career progression in this role may lead to leadership positions within the Marketing team or broader influence within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on relationship-building and partnership management within the education sector. Candidates should be comfortable with these unique aspects and demonstrate relevant experience.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to grow an existing partnership with a national organization
• Planning and coordinating a virtual conference or webinar series for educators and students
• Creating targeted marketing materials and resources for partner organizations to promote the Encourage program

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic planning, relationship-building, and event coordination aspects of this role. Candidates should be comfortable with these project types and demonstrate relevant experience.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader Marketing team and Encoura's mission?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Encoura support the professional growth and development of its employees?
• What are the most challenging aspects of managing multiple national partner organizations, and how can I best prepare for these challenges?
• How does Encoura measure the success of its partnerships and the Encourage program?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions focus on understanding the role's context within the organization, its priorities, and the challenges it presents. Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://jobs.lever.co/nrccua/80324f04-3c2e-4f54-8f6c-585a411f55c6
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in strategic planning, relationship management, and communication
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that assess your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Research Encoura's mission, values, and programs to demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with the company
• Follow up with the Talent Team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.