Manager, Marketing

About Achievement First

Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting 39 public charter schools across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For more than 25 years, AF has been recognized as one of the top tuition-free public charter school networks in the country. We are committed to creating schools of academic excellence within nurturing environments — schools that prepare students to be college-ready and to pursue and succeed in whatever paths they choose in life.

The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Across our network, we employ more than 2,200 staff members — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence and Cranston, RI.

Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college, career, and life; deepen their understanding of self and community; and lead lives of purpose. We believe in the limitless potential within our students and their power to shape a more just society. That belief drives our deep commitment to student achievement: we aim to set a high bar for learning and create warm, demanding classrooms where rigorous instruction is paired with the care, encouragement, and consistency every student deserves.

We are looking for a strategic and dynamic Marketing Manager to join our Public Affairs team.

Your Impact

The Manager of Marketing & Digital Strategy is a data-driven, results-oriented, and innovative marketer. This role is responsible for envisioning, leading, and executing high-impact campaigns that drive student enrollment, teacher recruitment, and brand awareness across Achievement First communities. As the operational and strategic engine behind our multi-channel efforts, this person oversees digital, print, social media, and event marketing. They manage AF’s digital platforms, channels, and external consultants, lead social media and performance marketing strategy, and partner closely with recruitment teams to deliver campaigns that convert leads into seats and classrooms. A natural collaborator and brand steward, the Manager works with the Manager of Graphic Design to uphold visual excellence and ensure all creative aligns with AF’s brand standards. They also help adapt and share external stories internally when relevant, reinforcing staff pride and alignment with AF’s mission.

Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Brand & Marketing you will be responsible for:

Student & Teacher Recruitment Campaign Strategy, Execution & Performance Marketing

• Design and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns driving student enrollment and teacher recruitment
• Lead audience segmentation, paid media buying (social, search, display), and organic social media strategy
• Build and optimize CRM workflows to nurture prospective students and candidates
• Monitor performance data and adjust campaigns in real time to meet recruitment goals

Digital Platforms & Content Ecosystem Management
 

• Oversee AF’s website, landing pages, annual report creation, and external storytelling channels
• Manage publishing calendars and ensure timely, consistent content aligned to campaign objectives
• Partner with vendors to optimize user experience and increase conversion rates
• Adapt external content and messaging for internal engagement when needed

Brand Stewardship & Creative Collaboration

• Serve as a brand steward, ensuring strong and consistent visual identity across all channels and materials
• Collaborate closely with design partners to maintain high-quality creative execution
• Provide on-brand templates, tools, and training to enable localized school marketing efforts
• Ensure alignment to AF’s brand standards in both digital and print environments

Event & Experiential Marketing Integration

• Lead marketing strategy for in-person and virtual events such as hiring fairs and school tours
• Integrate event promotion into broader campaigns to maximize turnout and engagement
• Coordinate collateral, signage, and communications for a seamless attendee experience
• Support post-event engagement and conversion efforts with internal partners

Vendor & Consultant Oversight

• Manage external partners for media buying, SEO/SEM, web development, and content production
• Ensure high-quality deliverables, alignment to organizational priorities, and strong ROI
• Track performance, guide scope adjustments, and maintain effective partnerships

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field (advanced degree or relevant certifications a plus)
• 5+ years of marketing experience with a strong focus on digital strategy, recruitment marketing, and brand execution
• Proven success designing and managing performance marketing campaigns across paid social, search, display, and CRM/email channels
• Experience using marketing analytics tools to evaluate performance and drive conversion improvements
• Skilled in managing digital platforms (websites, landing pages, content ecosystems) with a strong focus on UX and engagement
• Strong writing and storytelling skills that adapt to multiple audiences and goals
• Demonstrated brand stewardship, ensuring consistency in visuals, messaging, and experience
• Experience managing external vendors or creative consultants and holding them accountable to deliverables and ROI
• Excellent communicator with a collaborative, relationship-driven working style
• Highly organized project manager who thrives in fast-paced, data-driven environments
• Commitment to mission-driven work; experience in education or nonprofit organizations is a strong plus

In addition, the following characteristics are required to be successful on this team:

• Strong ethics and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality 
• Confident in interacting with and influencing individuals at all levels within the organizations 
• Ability to thrive in a fast‐paced, entrepreneurial environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed 
• Ability to multitask, exceptional detail and follow up skills, and is organized 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a proactive communication style
• Belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model 

Travel Expectations 

This is a hybrid role. The expectation is that the person in the role would be able to come into the Network Support office (NYC, CT, or RI) at least 3 days a week. There may be additional travel to regions outside of your own on a monthly basis. 

Compensation

Achievement First sets salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role.  The salary for this position is $99,175. In order to uphold our commitment to equity, Achievement First does not negotiate pay.  Additionally, Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.