Communications Manager

Communications Manager

Discovery Education is seeking a Communications Manager to plan, develop, and execute high-impact external and internal communications that elevate our brand reputation, strengthen executive visibility, and deepen engagement across K-12 and corporate audiences.

This is an important role within the Corporate Marketing team, reporting to the Senior Director of Corporate Marketing and supporting the execution of an integrated communications strategy that advances organizational priorities and reinforces Discovery Education's leadership in the market. The Manager will own day-to-day communications execution, driving media relations, awards, partner storytelling, and internal communication rhythms. The ideal candidate is a proactive communicator with strong editorial judgment, solid relationship-building skills, and the ability to translate organizational initiatives into compelling narratives that resonate with media to reach educators, district leaders, partners, and employees.

In This Role You Will:

• Support proactive media relations, including developing newsworthy storylines, pitching education, business, and trade press, building media relationships, managing reactive requests, and securing high-quality earned coverage.
• Develop external messaging that clearly communicates Discovery Education's value, leadership, and innovation.
• Draft, edit, and publish press releases, media statements, bylines, op-eds, talking points, FAQs, and briefing materials.
• Work cross-functionally to manage communications for corporate announcements, including product launches, partnerships, research releases, and organizational milestones.
• Build and maintain media lists for ongoing relationship development and unique news or story opportunities.
• Partner with Advocacy, Content Marketing, and Growth to identify and develop partner impact stories, securing earned coverage leveraging partner voices in priority outlets and regions.
• Coordinate partner communications, ensuring consistent storytelling across collaborations with corporate partners, supporting both programmatic impact and corporate storytelling objectives.
• Leverage AI tools to enhance communications workflows, including drafting first-pass content, analyzing message performance, and accelerating research for communications initiatives.
• Monitor industry coverage and track communications KPIs, keeping pace with changing success measures based on shifting influence models and AI tools.

Brand Reputation & Thought Leadership

• Amplify Discovery Education's thought leadership platform through earned media stories in priority areas such as instructional innovation and career readiness.
• Support executive visibility, including CEO and senior leader media interviews, quotes, and thought leadership placements.
• Identify opportunities for podcasts, conferences, and awards that elevate brand credibility, and manage submissions end-to-end.
• Monitor the education landscape, emerging trends, policy topics, and competitor activity to inform messaging and positioning.
• Stay current on advancements in generative AI, responsible AI standards, and their implications for communications and K–12 education; surface opportunities and risks for Marketing leaders.

Internal Communications

• Collaborate with HR and leadership to help execute the internal communications strategy supporting culture, alignment, and clarity.
• Plan and deliver communications for key internal moments, including announcements, change communications, people updates, and organizational initiatives.
• Develop repeatable internal communications vehicles such as newsletters, AMA live events, and Coffee with the CEO.

Core Competencies for Success

• Communicates Effectively: Crafts clear, concise messages and adapts tone, content, and channel (press, executive comms, internal updates) to inform, influence, and build understanding with diverse audiences.
• Ensures Accountability: Owns deliverables end-to-end (briefing materials, pitches, releases, internal moments), meets deadlines, follows through on commitments, and proactively surfaces risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.
• Plans and Aligns: Translates organizational priorities into communication objectives, integrated plans, and weekly execution rhythms; clarifies success measures and aligns stakeholders on what will be delivered and when.
• Manages Complexity: Prioritizes competing requests, navigates ambiguity, and coordinates inputs across teams (Marketing, Advocacy, HR, Product, Growth) to deliver accurate, on-brand communications in fast-moving situations.
• Builds Networks: Develops and maintains relationships with media, partners, and internal stakeholders; understands what each audience values and leverages those connections to secure opportunities and strengthen reputation.

Credentials and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field required
• 5+ years of communications, PR, journalism, or related experience, ideally in K–12, EdTech, technology, or mission-driven organizations
• Proven experience developing and executing external and internal communications plans with measurable business impact
• Proficiency with communications metrics and media monitoring tools (e.g., Meltwater, Cision, MuckRack or similar)
• Exceptional writing and communication skills
• Strong cross-functional partnership skills; experience coordinating inputs, aligning stakeholders, and delivering communications on deadline
• Experience applying data (media monitoring, engagement metrics, qualitative feedback) to refine messaging and prioritize opportunities
• Comfort using communications tools, including AI-enabled tools, to accelerate research and first drafts—paired with strong judgment, fact-checking, and brand standards
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable communications outcomes (earned coverage, engagement, awareness) and adjust approach based on results
• Experience tailoring messages to key audiences (educators, district leaders, partners, and employees) and anticipating questions to improve clarity and resonance
• Legal right to work in the United States
• Travel up to 30% to support conferences and events as needed

You must be able to work a hybrid schedule and split your time between our Charlotte, NC Corporate Headquarters, and remote work.

The hiring range for this position is between $96,650-$107,400 annually, however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. Additionally, this position is eligible for an Annual Bonus.

----- At Discovery Education, we are fulfilling our mission of preparing learners for tomorrow by creating innovative classrooms connected to today's world.

Serving more than 4.5 million educators and 45 million students, available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the UK, and more than 140 countries around the globe; we are on a journey to transform teaching and learning though innovative partnerships with school districts, states, ministries of education, and other like-minded organizations.

We have built an award-winning and highly reputable organization because of talented and driven people who work together to accelerate student achievement by tapping into students' natural curiosity and desire to learn by capturing their minds and imagination through the fascination of Discovery.

Why Join Discovery Education?

Discovery Education believes empowering each team member is vital to cultivating high performing, highly engaged teams. Being a part of our team means we partner together to achieve mutual goals. To this end, Discovery Education offers a robust and comprehensive insurance package. You can find a complete listing on our Career Page.

Along with traditional insurance offerings, our inclusive offerings center around:

• Career Development Ownership - Be the driver of your success!
• Continuing Education AND Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Mentorship program and collaboration with veteran leaders
• Constant opportunities for cross-functional training and skill building
• Uncapped career growth

Team Member Wellness – When you feel great, you do great work!

• Leave for life's moments including 7 recognized holidays
• Take PTO without the vacation guilt
• Up to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Winter Holiday Break (typically the last week of December)

This opportunity is perfect for people interested in joining a high-performing, collaborative team, who enjoy a dynamic industry, and are excited about high-impact, project-based work.

Inspired? We would love the opportunity to review your candidacy! Select the blue "Apply Now" button at the bottom left of the screen to begin your application.

Discovery Education is an equal opportunity employer. Discovery Education is committed to being an employer of choice, not just a good place to work, but a great and inclusive place to work. To that end, we strive to recruit and maintain a workforce that meaningfully represents the communities we serve. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, protected veteran status or disabled