Chief External Affairs Officer
Remote
Full Time
Senior Executive
The Role
The Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) will lead the development and execution of AERDF’s external strategy, positioning the organization as a leading force in education innovation, learning science, and equitable R&D.Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CEAO will serve as a key member of the leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO and Board. The CEAO will oversee communications, marketing, partnerships, and development, ensuring these functions operate in a coordinated and high-impact manner to advance AERDF’s mission and strategic priorities.
Working from a strong understanding of AERDF’s model and the broader external landscape, the CEAO will define and execute a comprehensive external affairs strategy, encompassing narrative, brand, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, to increase AERDF’s visibility, influence, and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and External Strategy
- Partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team to drive and coordinate AERDF’s multi-year external strategy, aligning external priorities with enterprise goals
- Support Board-level strategic discussions and presentations related to external affairs, positioning, and growth
- Monitor the external environment, including philanthropy, research, policy, and adjacent sectors, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that may impact AERDF’s strategy
- Assess progress against strategic goals and ensure alignment between external affairs activities and organizational priorities
Fundraising and Development Leadership
- Drive and scale AERDF’s fundraising efforts, expanding and diversifying philanthropic support, with a focus on major donors and long-term capital partners
- Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Board to cultivate and steward key funder relationships
- Ensure strong coordination between fundraising, communications, and partnerships to support organizational growth
Narrative, Communications, and Brand
- Shape and articulate a clear, compelling external narrative that translates AERDF’s complex R&D model into an accessible and differentiated value proposition
- Lead the development of an integrated communications and marketing strategy across channels, including digital, media, convenings, and publications, to ensure consistent messaging and strong brand positioning
- Build and lead a high-performing communications and storytelling function, elevating AERDF’s voice and positioning as a thought leader
- Identify and enable opportunities for senior leaders to engage externally through media, conferences, and public forums
- Oversee internal communications to ensure alignment, clarity of strategy, and consistency of messaging across the organization
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
- Build and maintain executive-level relationships across philanthropic, public, and private sectors, as well as with researchers, system leaders, and ecosystem partners
- Position AERDF to effectively communicate its outcomes, impact, and learning to diverse audiences across the education and innovation landscape
- Serve as a visible spokesperson and ambassador, representing AERDF in public forums, convenings, and with key stakeholders
Thought Leadership and Field Influence
- Position AERDF as a leading voice in education innovation and learning science, leveraging its work to expand influence and reach new audiences
- Identify and lead opportunities for convenings, partnerships, and public engagement that elevate AERDF’s work and shape the broader field
- Develop and implement strategic campaigns to encourage adoption and use of AERDF’s insights, tools, and innovations by key stakeholders and systems
External Influence and Policy
- Define the vision and strategy for AERDF’s external influence efforts, ensuring alignment with long-term priorities
- Build partnerships and coalitions that extend AERDF’s reach and contribute to shaping the broader education and R&D ecosystem
Operational Leadership and Execution
- Establish a clear operating cadence across external affairs functions, including planning cycles, priority setting, and performance tracking
- Define KPIs and ensure disciplined execution with measurable outcomes
- Build and scale high-performing teams across communications, partnerships, and development, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
- Serve as a visible culture carrier, reinforcing and exemplifying AERDF’s values while operating with a builder’s mindset, bringing a hands-on, start-up mentality prioritizing agility and ownership in a dynamic, evolving environment
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a senior external affairs leader with a demonstrated ability to operate at both the strategic and executional levels within complex, mission-driven organizations. They will bring a track record of developing and executing integrated external strategies, including communications, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, that drive organizational visibility, influence, and growth. This individual will be a player-coach leader, capable of building and scaling functions while personally leading high-impact initiatives, relationships, and outcomes.In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:
Core Competencies
Setting Strategy and Narrative
- Ability to translate complex, technical R&D work into a clear, compelling external strategy and narrative
- Strong strategic instinct with a competitive, field-shaping mindset
- Experience aligning communications, partnerships, and fundraising into a unified external agenda
Executing for Results
- Track record of “getting things done” with visible progress and measurable outcomes
- Ability to build systems, set priorities, and drive disciplined execution across multiple functions
- Comfort operating in ambiguity while maintaining momentum and accountability
External Affairs Leadership
- Deep experience across communications/marketing, philanthropy, policy, partnerships
- Ability to build and scale a high-performing external affairs function
- Credibility with funders, partners, and external stakeholders at the highest levels
Team and Organizational Leadership
- Ability to lead, manage, and develop teams while driving clarity, accountability, and performance
- Willingness to operate both strategically and tactically (player-coach mindset)
- Strong collaborator across leadership team and functions
Leadership Qualities
Gravitas and Executive Presence
- Commands credibility with the CEO, Board, and senior external stakeholders
- Represents AERDF’s strategy with clarity, authority, and confidence
Influence and Relationship Building
- Exceptional ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders (funders, researchers, policymakers, practitioners)
- Skilled at convening and aligning cross-sector partners—reflecting AERDF’s role as a connector
Storytelling and Communication Excellence
- Outstanding communicator with the ability to simplify complex ideas without losing rigor
- Brings energy and clarity to storytelling—internally and externally
Strategic Judgement with Action Orientation
- Balances long-term vision with near-term execution
- Brings a strong point of view while remaining adaptable
Cultural Alignment and Mission Commitment
- Deep commitment to equity and improving outcomes for historically underserved students
- Operates with authenticity, urgency, and a results-oriented mindset
- Builds trust through transparency, follow-through, and impact
Preferred Experience
- Senior leadership experience across external affairs, communications, development, or partnerships
- Demonstrated success in major fundraising and philanthropic engagement
- Experience translating complex or technical work into compelling external narratives
- Track record of building and scaling teams and functions
- Experience engaging effectively with Boards and senior stakeholders
Location
This position is fully remote.
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