NORAM Higher Ed Communications Manager

The Instructure Manager of Higher Ed Communications is responsible for marketing the edtech company’s HE programs, products, and services to EdTech industry publications as well as top-tier media outlets.

This role sits within the marketing organization reporting to the VP of Global Communication. The Manager will maintain responsibility of many HE-specific communications functions directing our approach to thought leadership, product messaging, product announcements, creating story packages to appeal to the media, and growing our HE product brand awareness. This person is also responsible for building relationships with media and industry influencers, pitching product-focused story ideas, writing press releases, coordinating with an external PR agency, and reporting on media coverage and trends. This person will also be responsible for assisting with the production of Instructure’s podcast, InstructureCast, as well as the awards process for the company. 

What you will be doing:

• Drive Instructure’s day-to-day communications strategy for the North American (NORAM) markets focused on key HE initiatives and marketing campaigns
• Maintain messaging/storytelling for HE target audiences.
• Proactively translate product features and messaging into consumable audience content by liaising directly with the product team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with HE media outlets, reporters, and influencers, leveraging them for opportunistic media coverage; as well as strategizing pitching/story package development, building briefing sheets and properly briefing stakeholders for media opportunities 
• Identify and target campaigns around specific HE target audiences including, but not limited to, Instructure HE product users, HE product decision-makers, potential HE Instructure product users, HE event attendees/potential attendees, and HE Community members.
• Research, write, and edit HE product- and news-related content such as blogs, podcast scripts, speaking opportunities, bylined content, media pitches, and press releases.
• Leverage the broader Comms team for HE strategy and ideation. 
• Assist with the production of the InstructureCast podcast and management of all Instructure Awards entries, deadlines, budget, and promotion 
• Identify and collaborate with key internal stakeholders, cross-departmental and other HE directed teams in CX, Sales, Product, etc… 
• Collaborate on Professional Learning (Pro-Learn) media campaign messaging as needed, aligning Comms efforts with quarterly themes to provide synergy and support for HIED/ProLearn content strategy

What we are looking for:

• Degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or journalism
• 6-8+ years of experience in public relations or comparable field
• Proven track record of securing industry and top-tier media coverage
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent program management skills, and ability to supervise, measure and improve program performance 
• Proven successful experience working in a collaborative and cross-functional setting
• Possess skill and genuine interest in research and analysis of current PR trends that will keep the business at par with competing businesses in the market
• Experience working in a global matrixed organization, leading virtual, multi-cultural teams to achieve desired goals
• Experience using Meltwater and other newswire services
• A self-starter who is driven by success, with the ability to manage programs proactively without receiving step-by-step instructions and guidance

We’ve always believed in hiring the most awesome people and treating them right. We know that the more diverse we are, the more diverse our ideas will be and when we openly welcome those ideas, our environment is better and our business is stronger.

At Instructure we participate in E-Verify and yes, in case you didn't catch it from the above, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All Instructure employees are required to successfully pass a background check upon being hired