Marketing and Communications Director at IREX

Strategy

• Collaborate with the Strategy team to develop and implement marketing and communications strategies aligned with strategic priorities and growth objectives.
• Lead brand positioning, messaging, and visual identity across all channels.
• Oversee annual marketing budget planning, allocation, and performance tracking.
• Advise the CEO and executive leadership on organizational reputation management and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with subsidiary, Development Gateway, to execute joint strategic communications initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities to inform communications and marketing strategy.

Team Leadership

• Work across the organization to identify talent and resources that augment capacity for communications and marketing.
• Mentor, and/or build a high-performing marketing and communications team.
• Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional development.
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and results-driven team culture.
• Manage relationships with external agencies, vendors, and consultants related to communications and marketing.

Marketing Execution

• Oversee digital marketing initiatives including website, SEO/SEM, email marketing, and paid advertising.
• Direct content creation across digital platforms to engage target audiences.
• Lead marketing campaign development from concept through execution and analysis.
• Manage marketing automation, CRM systems, and analytics tools.
• Drive lead generation and conversion strategies that support business development.

Communications & Public Relations

• Serve as primary spokesperson and media contact for IREX.
• Manage crisis communications and issues management protocols.
• Cultivate relationships with media, influencers, and mission-aligned partners.
• Oversee production of executive publications, reports, press releases, and communications.
• Advise on internal communications strategies to engage employees and stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting

• Establish KPIs and metrics to measure the effectiveness of marketing and communications efforts.
• Analyze campaign performance and provide insights to optimize future initiatives.
• Present regular reports to leadership on marketing ROI and brand reputation.
• Use data-driven insights to refine strategies and tactics.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in marketing and external communications.
• 4+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven success in developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media, content strategy, and brand management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience demonstrating ROI on marketing and communications activities/investments.
• Proficiency with CRM, analytics, and marketing automation tools.
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution.

Preferred

• Master’s degree (MBA or MA in Communications/Marketing).
• Experience in nonprofits, global development, international education, or leadership development.
• Background in B2B/B2C marketing.
• Media relations and crisis communications experience.
• Creative direction and/or graphic design experience.
• CMS experience

Core Competencies

• Strategic vision and innovative thinking
• Adaptability and resilience
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning
• Action-oriented mindset
• Leadership and team development
• Stakeholder management and relationship building
• Data analysis and performance measurement
• Creative problem-solving
• Project management and organizational skills
• Cross-functional collaboration