Senior Manager of Paid and Earned Media

Posted Jul 23

COMPANY PROFILE

Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in K-12 schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. Our vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science as part K-12. The leading provider of K-12 computer science solutions in the largest school districts in the United States, Code.org also created the annual Hour of Code campaign, which has engaged more than 15% of all students in the world!

JOB SUMMARY 

The Senior Manager Paid and Earned Media at Code.org will have a significant impact on developing and implementing media strategies to increase our brand exposure and further our goal of making computer science education accessible. We are seeking a skilled professional with expertise in paid media, earned media, and digital marketing. As a Senior Manager, you will have the chance to promote engagement, improve media campaigns, and oversee media partnerships for seamless implementation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In this role, you will:

Media Strategy:

  • Develop and implement comprehensive paid and earned media strategies to increase engagement, raise brand awareness, and support organizational goals.
  • Conduct thorough audience research, segmentation, and competitor analysis to inform strategy development.
  • Select appropriate media platforms and channels based on audience insights and campaign objectives.
  • Set clear, measurable goals for media campaigns, ensuring alignment with broader organizational objectives.
  • Develop and implement a test-and-learn strategy, creating a structured learning agenda with A/B tests, pilot programs, and iterative testing cycles.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with media outlets, publishers, platforms, and agencies and integrate paid and earned media strategies for a cohesive multi-channel approach.

Media Relations:

  • Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key media outlets and influencers to enhance visibility and reputation.
  • Develop and manage media outreach plans, including press releases, media pitches, and influencer collaborations.
  • Identify and secure speaking opportunities and podcast appearances to enhance brand visibility and establish thought leadership.
  • Plan and coordinate press conferences, media tours, and public events to generate media interest and public engagement.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive media contact database for streamlined outreach and relationship management.
  • Monitor media coverage and analyze its impact, preparing company representatives for interviews and public appearances.

Crisis Management:

  • Develop and implement crisis communication strategies, proactively managing negative incidents to safeguard the organization's reputation.
  • Develop a crisis communication toolkit that includes pre-approved statements and resources for rapid deployment.

Content Partnerships / Native:

  • Form exclusive content partnerships with select publishers to produce high-value content.
  • Partner with publishers and the internal creative team to create engaging branded content that aligns with brand messaging and editorial style.
  • Leverage native advertising opportunities to blend branded content seamlessly with editorial content.
  • Set measurable goals and performance targets for branded content and native advertising campaigns.
  • Negotiate content partnership agreements and ensure all content adheres to industry regulations and standards.

Media Execution:

  • Oversee media operations to ensure seamless execution of campaigns and adherence to timelines.
  • Develop and manage the media budget to optimize resource utilization and achieve maximum return on investment.
  • Implement a quality assurance process for all media content and develop a content calendar for asset distribution.
  • Collaborate with other teams such as creative and integrated marketing for cohesive campaigns.
  • Manage relationships with external vendors and media partners to ensure alignment and successful execution.
  • Coordinate with analytics teams to track campaign performance and make real-time adjustments.

Media Excellence:

  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and new technologies to ensure effective media strategies.
  • Encourage a culture of ongoing growth by regularly seeking input from relevant individuals and adapting strategies accordingly.
  • Advocate for the latest marketing technologies and tools to enhance media strategy execution.
  • Create a centralized dashboard to monitor media performance metrics in real-time.
  • Conduct competitive benchmarking to identify areas for improvement.
  • Facilitate cross-functional brainstorming sessions and provide guidance to junior team members to encourage collaboration and professional growth.
  • Integrate third-party data sources for enhanced accuracy in media analytics.
  • Foster innovation by exploring emerging media channels and new advertising technologies, and lead cross-functional brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas.

Agency/Vendor Management:

  • Evaluate and select external agencies based on expertise, track record, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Negotiate contracts with clear deliverables, timelines, and performance metrics.
  • Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with partners to foster open communication and campaign success.

Analytics and Reporting:

  • Monitor campaign performance and budgets, making data-driven decisions for optimization.
  • Develop comprehensive reports on media performance for senior leadership.
  • Implement advanced analytics tools to track and measure campaign effectiveness.
  • Conduct post-campaign analyses to assess success and identify areas for future improvement.
  • Establish a centralized dashboard and integrate third-party data sources for enhanced analytics.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

We seek candidates who have:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in paid and/or earned media management.
  • Strong understanding of digital marketing platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Ads) and media analytics tools.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills

We prefer candidates who also have:

  • Creative problem-solving abilities and a passion for storytelling.

In addition, candidates must:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Pass a pre-employment background check
  • Minimal travel may be required for team events or conferences

WHAT IS THE INTERVIEW PROCESS LIKE?

Step 1: Informational Interview - learn more about the role and share your experience (30 minutes)

Step 2: Homework (~2 hours)

Step 3: Interviews with several members of the Code.org team (~ 3 hours)

Step 4: Final Interview (1 hour)

Step 5: Reference Checks 

All interviews are currently being conducted virtually via Zoom

TO APPLY

The priority application date for this role is August 4th, 2024 and preference will be given to applications submitted by this date. Our team will review all applications and if we believe your qualifications would make a great fit, we'll contact you to schedule an informational interview.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS PACKAGE

The expected salary range for this position is $122,000-$136,000. The actual offer will be at the company’s sole discretion and determined by relevant business considerations, including the final candidate’s qualifications, years of experience, and skillset.

We also offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

  • Technology subsidy consistent with our Bring Your Own Device environment 
  • Flexible, engaging, and remote working environment
  • Paid time off: 3 weeks vacation annually, sick leave, and 'winter break' office closure the two weeks that include Christmas and New Years
  • Medical, dental and vision premiums paid at 100% for FT positions and their dependents
  • Option to participate in 403b retirement plan
  • Annual professional development stipend 
  • The opportunity to help students learn better and change the face of computer science

A unifying approach in a divided world

Code.org's global role in the K-12 computer science movement is only possible because we use a unifying approach across diverse and often divided stakeholders. At a time of increasing polarization, the idea of increasing opportunity for students unites people from across the political spectrum. Code.org's team members, students, teachers, and supporters have diverse and diverging view points, and they are all welcome in our mission. Read more

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.