At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications to drive impactful change in education-to-work pathways.
- Company: Join Axim Collaborative, a nonprofit transforming education with Harvard and MIT.
- Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and a competitive 401(k) plan.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by elevating the work of partners and shaping systemic change.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in communications with a focus on social impact and education equity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
- Full-time
- Description
Axim Collaborative is a nonprofit that transforms education to work pathways by facilitating collaboration and innovations to build an ecosystem of solutions to drive better outcomes for millions of learners.
Axim uses catalytic funding to foster partnerships, convene leaders and scale innovations to strengthen pathways for learners.
These pathways engage students in their course of study, enable them to persist through their programs and prepare them to excel in their careers.
Axim Collaborative is a joint endeavor between Harvard and MIT that evolved from ed X, the pioneering online learning platform that launched in 2012.
ABOUT THE VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS ROLE
Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President, Strategic Communications is a member of Axim Collaborative’s Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for leading a communications strategy that drives sector-wide impact by elevating the compelling work of our partners.
Axim is a unique convener in the education-to-work space, and this role will leverage that position to drive cross-sector change.
This is not a product marketing role; this leader is charged with developing and executing strategies to align a diverse coalition of stakeholders (universities/community colleges, nonprofits, tech partners) toward a common goal and elevating Axim's position as a convener to drive systemic change.
This involves crafting a powerful, cohesive narrative for Axim's work and building the communications capacity of our partners to drive better outcomes for millions of learners.
We are actively seeking a creative leader who can build a movement around the work of our partners, someone who operates with a high-level strategic rigor and is profoundly rooted in the language and principles of social change and collective action.
The ideal candidate is driven by being in service to our partners and possesses a truly bigger vision for systemic impact and field-building.
The successful candidate will be able to thrive in complexity, taking ambiguous, systems-level challenges and synthesizing them into clear, compelling narratives for the entire ecosystem.
This is a Cambridge-based role.
Candidates must live within commuting distance and be willing to work out of the Cambridge office at least 2 days per week.
This role will require approximately 20% travel.
This role is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Requirements
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead a unified field-building strategic communications strategy that aligns diverse stakeholders and amplifies our partners' collective work, connects systems-level themes across our portfolio, and enhances Axim’s impact.
- Develop innovative and compelling strategies to elevate awareness, engagement, and understanding about Axim’s mission and our partners’ impact in the context of the broader ecosystem.
- Craft thought leadership strategies that reach our target audiences, further innovation, and create new partnership opportunities.
- Advise the CEO and board on communications, brand positioning, and audience engagement.
- Partner with colleagues to ensure cohesive messaging and visibility for Axim’s partnership and programmatic activities.
- Strategic Communications and Digital Engagement
- Drive the narrative around both Axim and our partners’ work to help our partners improve education to career pathways.
This includes synthesizing complex information and ambiguity into clear, actionable narratives for the entire ecosystem.
- Support partners in developing compelling, strategic communications about their work, using all channels creatively and innovatively.
- Ensure data and analytics are used to refine strategies and measure impact across digital and offline channels.
- Oversee digital presence and content strategy, including website, social media, email marketing, to support narrative building around systems change
- Communications and Public Relations
- Develop opportunities for Axim’s work to be featured through owned and earned media, cultivating relationships with specific media and press outlets.
- Lead and support the development of executive communications, speeches, op-eds, and thought leadership opportunities for organizational leaders.
- Work with team members and partners to craft compelling narratives and storytelling opportunities that highlight the impact of our partners and the impact on students.
- Partner with the VP, Open ed X Partnerships and Ecosystem Growth to support and collaborate on related initiatives.
- Serve as a member of Axim's Senior Team
- Lead strategic planning, goal setting, and budgeting to ensure organizational alignment with Axim's mission and outcomes.
- Cultivate an inclusive, trust-based collective culture across departments and with partners, modeling the values of inclusive excellence.
- Effectively prepare for and guide the organization through periods of growth, change, and transition.
Qualifications
- At least 15 years of professional experience, with demonstrated success in communications, media/PR, and systems-level thought leadership in the impact space, such as social enterprise, philanthropy, and education to workforce sectors.
Must have a strong understanding of the nonprofit and/or social impact space.
- Proven success in developing systems-level strategies, innovative thought leadership, and marketing that builds awareness, influences sector change, and translates complex, systems-level issues into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience across communications disciplines, including digital, media relations, social media, PR, marketing, communications vendor management, and partnerships.
- Deep experience working with media and news outlets to shape a narrative and build visibility.
- Deep commitment to education and experience applying a service-oriented education equity lens in all strategies and work streams.
- Robust understanding of how education innovation can support students in broad access higher education settings.
- Exceptional writing, communication, and storytelling skills, with a keen eye for integrating compelling on-the-ground stories into the larger context of systemic change.
- Proven judgement to engage audiences and deliver excellent results on a consistent basis.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect with and influence external decision-makers with a diverse range of priorities.
- Experience operating in a dynamic, fast paced, entrepreneurial environment as a big-picture, strategic leader focused on collective action and partnership alignment.
- Exceptional project management, prioritization, and planning skills, with demonstrated success managing complex workstreams and producing high-quality deliverables on time and within budget.
Benefits Statement
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including comprehensive medical and dental insurance, generous paid time off, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, a competitive 401(k) plan, and a generous employer match.
Axim Collaborative is committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcomed, valued, and supported.
Axim is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people from all experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Idora Sopin-Vilme at HR@Axim. org.
Please Note: This role is not VISA sponsorship eligible.
Salary Description
Vice President, Strategic Communications in Cambridge employer: Axim Collaborative
Axim Collaborative is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cambridge that fosters innovation and collaboration in the education-to-work sector. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and employee growth, Axim provides comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off and a competitive 401(k) plan, ensuring that every team member feels valued and supported. As part of a joint endeavour between Harvard and MIT, employees have unique opportunities to engage with leading minds in education and social change, making a meaningful impact on millions of learners.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President, Strategic Communications in Cambridge
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Axim Collaborative.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Axim Collaborative.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Axim Collaborative.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Axim Collaborative. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President, Strategic Communications in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Axim Collaborative. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Vice President, Strategic Communications, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Axim Collaborative
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Axim Collaborative. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
