Senior Director, Brand & Marketing

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Uncommon Schools is seeking a Senior Director of Brand & Marketing to lead the organization’s brand and marketing strategy and ensure its mission and impact are powerfully represented across all audiences. This role will harness the power of Uncommon’s brand as a national leader in education, deploying best-in-class marketing across owned and paid channels to elevate awareness, engagement, and loyalty.

Reporting to the Chief External Officer, you will serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Team and lead both internal and external partners, including creative and media agencies, to deliver on ambitious growth and brand goals. You will ensure Uncommon’s brand is executed with excellence today while building a flexible, forward-looking strategy that supports the organization’s next chapter of growth.

Responsibilities

Elevate the Uncommon Brand

• Harness the power of Uncommon Schools’ brand as a leader and innovator in public education by deploying best-in-class marketing through owned and paid channels.
• Lead the development and implementation of a cohesive, organization-wide brand strategy informed by market trends, customer behavior, and competitive dynamics.
• Ensure brand cohesion through a strategic framework that supports both immediate marketing priorities and longer-term growth.
• Increase brand relevance and loyalty through compelling, data-informed storytelling that resonates with students, families, staff, and donors.

Drive Organizational Growth and Marketing Impact

• Oversee marketing strategy and execution for major organizational growth initiatives, meeting clear targets and timelines.
• Build a multi-channel, performance-driven marketing approach that advances brand health, enrollment growth, and donor engagement.
• Use data and analytics to understand audience insights, drivers of choice, and the effectiveness of marketing activities, providing regular updates on brand performance to senior leadership.
• Collaborate across teams to align marketing efforts with enterprise-wide goals and drive measurable outcomes.

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Marketing team to deliver results aligned to Uncommon’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Model a client-focused mindset, emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and results.
• Communicate marketing plans and performance metrics transparently, providing regular updates on ROI and impact to leadership and stakeholders.
• Create and sustain a high-performing, inclusive team culture that reflects optimism, adaptability, and operational excellence.

Innovate Through Data, Creativity, and Technology

• Apply strategic insight and creativity to develop integrated campaigns that reflect Uncommon’s values and advance awareness and engagement.
• Drive innovation by testing new channels, creative formats, and marketing technologies to expand reach and efficiency.
• Leverage marketing automation, CRM, SEO/SEM, and emerging and AI tools to optimize campaign performance and audience connection.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or Business Strategy preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in brand management, marketing strategy, or communications leadership. Creative and/or marketing agency experience a plus.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing large-scale, integrated marketing campaigns that deliver measurable business results, either on agency or brand side.
• Proven experience managing internal teams and external agencies, with the ability to lead through influence and collaboration.
• Expertise in marketing analytics, data-driven decision making, and marketing technology platforms.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

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