United States onlyThe 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.
