Senior Vice President, Network Engagement

First Book has a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy (medical and religious exemptions permitted). Proof of fully vaccinated status is required before an interview.

About the position: (First Book has a hybrid work environment. This is not a 100% remote position)
The Network Engagement Team focuses on the growth and engagement of the First Book Network of educators, including the oversight and management of all member-facing touchpoints with the organization and all member-impacting programs.

The goals of this foundational team are to:
• Elevate awareness for First Book as a resource among educators and programs serving children in need and grow the First Book Network of educators.
• Capture and maintain a deep understanding of the barriers to education equity from the perspective of the on-the-ground educators and trained professionals who serve children in need.
• Maintain a deep understanding of how to engage and activate educators and programs serving communities of need.
• Work cross-functionally to share this knowledge and ensure all educator-facing materials, resources and programs are maximized to facilitate adoption and usage.
• Distribute more free and low-cost resources to educators and programs working with children in need, and as such, drive the team to achieve First Book Marketplace and non-profit partner “sales” goals that fuel First Book’s mission and growth.
The team is currently comprised of five member-facing departments, including First Book Research & Insights, The First Book Accelerator, Non-Profit Partnerships, User Experience (member communication) and Member Services.

This specific position is a member of the First Book Senior Team and manages all aspects of the organization that impact the First Book Network. The SVP creates and executes annual work plans to ensure the attainment of revenue targets. The SVP is a strategic revenue generator and possesses a talent for cultivating long-term and trusted relationships. This person is also responsible for ensuring that the teams achieve First Book Marketplace (FBMP) and Non-Profit Partner (NPP) sales and member registration goals. This role oversees the highly functional Network Engagement Team, including day-to-day team management, strategy execution and metrics measurement and evaluation. This SVP prioritizes connecting dots across the team and its various initiatives and often represents First Book and the team to external partners and funders. This role works closely with the Chief Programmatic Officer on the development of the team strategy and growth plan. The SVP of Network Engagement’s overall responsibility is to generate revenue by increasing sales through successful promotion using market research, product and program marketing and communications. An innovative and data driven approach to First Book Network growth and engagement is highly valued.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Team management. This role oversees 5 direct reports but has hiring and performance management oversight for the larger Network Engagement team. This person is the final authority to ensure that all external documentation, including proposals and reports, are “partner ready” and reflective of First Book’s standards. The SVP partners with direct reports to increase sophistication of the team capacities in a cost effective and efficient way that is responsive to marketing trends and/or Network needs and opportunities for growth.
• Facilitating intra and inter team communication. This role prioritizes strategic alignment across organizational projects, programs, and initiatives within the Network Engagement Team and across the larger organization to maximize opportunities and efficiency. This person is responsible for educating the executive team and other senior leadership organization-wide about the Network Engagement team’s efforts, best practices and lessons learned.
• Strategy development, project management/execution, and reporting. This role works closely with the CPO and includes:
   o Team goal identification, budget development and management.
   o The creation of data-driven, creative strategies to achieve those annual team goals and metrics.
   o The creation and presentation of business cases to justify internal and external resource expenses necessary to achieve team goals.
   o Metrics identification, monitoring, and reporting.
• Relationship management and external stewardship. Includes identifying, building, managing and prioritizing relationships with key partner organizations that extend First Book’s reach into additional market segments who can benefit from First Book’s resources. Oversees relationships with First Book’s VIP partners personally. Often represents the team in partner and funder meetings, presentations and in the media.
• Program design, management, and reporting. Includes working closely with the CPO on the development of the strategy, budget and execution plan for high-net-worth partnerships and proposals that impact the First Book Network and involve multiple aspects of First Book’s Network Engagement Team. The program and budget design are grounded in a deep knowledge of First Book Network needs (from R&I), best practices to facilitate program adoption (based on engagement data from past programs), and a deep knowledge and understanding of First Book’s capacities and structure. In many cases, this person is helping to guide product development for those partners interested in facilitating adoption of their products/curriculum among educators serving low-income communities. This SVP oversees the program research, Accelerator creation and marketing launches for these programs, as well as the related metrics measurement and evaluation. This person also often authors or edits high-profile, final reports and presentations of complex, cross-team, funded programs or initiatives.
• Resource creation. The SVP of Network Engagement guides the strategy behind the Accelerator resources created and works closely with the Managing Editor of the Accelerator to edit the content, inform the design and organization of the resources produced. Resources are designed to address core Network needs and provide educators with access to evidence-based best practices, information and tactics that can be used to remove barriers to education and enhance educational equity.

Qualification, Education and/or Experience:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required:
• Masters degree required.
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience required, including managing teams.
• Must have experience leading marketing functions and a proven track record of driving conversion and performance.
   o Must have existing knowledge of how to move prospects and “customers” through a marketing funnel.
   o Digital marketing experience, eCommerce experience and market research experience preferred
• Must have stellar relationship management skills, oral and written communications skills.
• Must have a proven track record for showing initiative, and a solutions-oriented approach to opportunities and challenges.
• Must be a proven leader committed to the growth of a team.
• A track record in leveraging private sector experience in public sector preferred.
• Must be a leader with both creative and analytical capabilities.
• Must be comfortable with undefined roadmaps and pilot efforts, and flexible to adjust as needed, or as opportunities arise.
• Must be willing to travel several times a year.

All full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
• Hybrid work environment - can work from home and office
• Dental & medical insurance
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage
• Vacation leave
• Sick leave
• Twelve Annual Holidays
• 401K and employer matching pension contribution
• Transportation benefits

TO APPLY:
Candidates are invited to submit a resume, and a cover letter that details your interest in the position. If you need assistance applying, please reach out to us at 202-499-5935 / ajones@firstbook.org.

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