Director of Marketing

Are you looking to make a BIG impact? At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development for our students. We insist that every student receives a world-class education while fostering a love for learning. We are passionate about changing the landscape of public education in New York City and beyond, and we are uncompromising in our mission.

Currently, we operate multiple elementary and middle schools in the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Queens. We plan to grow and open 1-2 schools each year because children in every community deserve excellent, equitable education. Join our growing team today, and be a change agent for children.

Our Network office is located at 401 W. 218th St., New York, NY 10034. Our Network team follows a hybrid work schedule: we work in-person from our office on Tuesdays and Thursdays with optional remote days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, if your team's scope of work permits.

Deliver powerful results

To achieve our vision, we are searching for a Director of Marketing with a Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field) and at least 8 years of marketing experience, including at least 3 years owning marketing strategy and directly managing and developing staff.

The Director will serve as a strategic partner to the Managing Director of Engagement & Impact, independently identifying marketing challenges and opportunities, developing well-supported recommendations, and leading their execution. This person must bring exceptional analytical reasoning and communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to create clarity and direction amid complexity.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Broad marketing expertise with depth in performance marketing: A record of measurable acquisition or growth outcomes, substantial experience managing paid media investment, and strong knowledge of consumer research, marketing measurement, SEO, and paid search.

Exceptional analysis and reasoning: Identifies essential facts, recognizes questionable or incomplete information, and examines complex problems systematically. Connects evidence across sources, tests assumptions and competing explanations, and develops broader insights that guide decisions beyond the immediate situation.

Outstanding written and verbal communication: Brings clarity, structure, and precision to complex ideas. Builds persuasive arguments, adapts communication to the audience, and responds directly and thoughtfully to questions and challenges, with confidence balanced by openness to new evidence.

Responsibilities:

Strategy, research, and performance

• Develop an integrated marketing strategy that advances student enrollment and talent recruitment and supports donor acquisition and fundraising. Lead audience and market research to inform priorities, positioning, messaging, and engagement, with enrollment strategies tailored to schools, grade levels, and geographies.
• Establish success measures and testing priorities, and investigate marketing performance from awareness through enrollment, hiring, or giving depending on the audience by integrating research, campaign data, and operational context. Assess data quality and attribution limitations, evaluate competing explanations, and identify likely drivers of results. Produce concise performance reports, test plans, and prioritized recommendations for targeting, messaging, and investment, explaining the supporting evidence, tradeoffs, and uncertainties.
• Own the marketing budget, allocating and adjusting investments based on strategic priorities, performance evidence, and expected impact.

Campaigns and digital experience

• Direct campaigns and agency partners across paid and owned channels, setting clear objectives, critically evaluating proposed approaches, and translating strategy into effective creative and campaign briefs.
• Oversee the website, search strategy, and social media presence, aligning content, discoverability, and user experience to build understanding of Zeta and move audiences toward action.

People leadership and collaboration

• Lead the marketing team with clear priorities, proactive planning, and consistent accountability. Develop staff through thoughtful delegation, coaching, and candid feedback; anticipate obstacles, resolve problems, and exercise sound judgment about when to act independently and when to involve leadership.
• Align leadership and partners in Family Outreach & Enrollment, Talent Recruitment, fundraising, and Creative and Content teams through clear recommendations, coordinated plans, and timely communication of decisions, responsibilities, and dependencies.

Experience in K–12 education or enrollment marketing is a plus, but not required.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. The salary range for this position is between $160,000 and $175,000 . New hires can expect to be brought into the organization at a salary at or near the start of the range, depending on relevant experience and internal equity. Compensation is based on our salary scales.

How does Zeta invest in you?

We offer great benefits:

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible spending accounts for eligible medical purchases and commuter expenses
• 403(b) retirement plan; Zeta offers matching contributions toward your savings
• Competitive compensation

We provide awesome perks:

• Monthly stipend for wellness and lifestyle expenses (Gym memberships, salon appointments, concerts – it's up to you!)
• 4 live therapy sessions per month through Talkspace, and a free Headspace subscription
• MacBook Air, and specified monthly reimbursement for use of mobile phone
• Fully stocked teacher workrooms with favorite snacks and Nespresso machine
• Zeta swag, team outings, and NYC's finest sweet treats

We care deeply about your personal and professional growth:

• Clear pathway to professional growth
• Consistent feedback and support from managers and teammates
• Community Circle practice to build and strengthen our sense of team
• Interactive Mindfulness and DEIJ programming

Equity is at the heart of our mission. We have a deep commitment to pursuing diversity and striving for equity. Zeta is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Work authorization is required (candidate must have permanent authorization to work in the U.S.).

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