Communications, Events, and Product Development Manager

Job Purpose

The Communications, Events, and Product Development Manager will play an essential and strategic role in supporting Generation Schools Network’s (GSN) efforts across our four areas of work to grow our voice and brand among local and national audiences. Additionally, this role is critical in providing regular resources, platform management, and logistical support to our committed team of educational leaders who lead crucial work in our partner schools and programs. This position is ideal for a creative, driven, self-directed, and organized individual who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative environment and embodies GSN’s mission and values.

Reporting Structure

Reports To: VP of Development and Partnerships

Direct Reports: None

Key Responsibilities

I. Communications and Branding

The Manager is responsible for maintaining and amplifying GSN’s voice across all digital and print channels, ensuring a consistent and engaging brand presence.

• Content Strategy & Development: Maintain GSN's brand voice and style guide. Develop and distribute regular communications to GSN staff, partners, and stakeholders, including targeted email campaigns.
• Digital Presence: Maintain and continue to develop a comprehensive social media content strategy across the organization’s channels (Facebook, LinkedIn). Optimize video content on the GSN YouTube channel with SEO best practices. Engage with audiences by monitoring activity, fostering conversations, and responding promptly.
• Website Management: Support regular content updates to approximately 3 existing GSN and program websites, including the weekly management of a rural job board.
• Marketing & Design: Assist with ongoing graphic design requests and larger projects such as Annual Reports and promotional materials. Assist with special communications projects to mark upcoming milestones (e.g., anniversaries, legislation).
• CRM Management: Learn and support the contact management system (ActiveCampaign) to manage email marketing campaigns, email automations, and ensure proper data synchronization with platforms like LearnWorlds.

II. Event and Logistics Management

The Manager oversees the end-to-end logistics for both internal and external events, workshops, retreats, and conferences.

• Event Execution: Work alongside staff to successfully execute all GSN internal and external events. Support onsite events by documenting with photos and videos, and capturing testimonials. 
• Planning & Coordination: Manage all aspects of event setup, including creating events through Eventbrite and Zoom platforms and monitoring registrations. Arrange individual and group travel coordination for in-person events hosted by GSN, including booking hotels and coordinating with vendors. This could also include travel and additional support as needed at the GSN Community Campuses located in Aurora and Colorado Springs. 
• Publicity Plan: Build out a plan to promote GSN programs, the community campuses and legislative action by creating events, newsletters, and online awareness.
• Virtual Event Support: Manage the logistics and materials preparation for all remote professional development (PD), Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and webinars, ensuring high-quality delivery and technical support.
• Conference Management: Maintain an up-to-date list of all GSN workshops, trainings, and PD offerings. Manage conference timelines, draft/collect, and submit RFPs and presentation proposals, sending reminders to presenters about upcoming tasks and deadlines.
• Reporting: Promote events by submitting content to media outlets and supporting data collection of attendance and survey insights from virtual webinars.

III. Product and Knowledge Management

The Manager supports the technical administration and content integrity of GSN’s online learning platforms and curricular products.

• LMS Administration: Maintain and update content and organization of all course units and PD modules within our Learning Management Systems (Canvas and LearnWorlds). Conduct final reviews of online courses to ensure quality before uploading approved content.
• Content Review & Creation: Review GSN’s curricular units, workshops, and presentations, and update them according to new standards. Assist with content creation for videos, websites, newsletters, and promotional materials.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, Education, or a related field required.
• Experience: 5-7 years of progressive professional experience in a role involving communications, event management, project coordination, or product management. Non-profit experience is a plus.
• Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Required Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Proficiency with online learning platforms (e.g., Canvas, LearnWorlds), including content loading and course maintenance.
• CRM/Marketing Automation: Experience using customer relationship management and email marketing platforms (ActiveCampaign or similar).
• Digital Tools: Expertise in social media management, SEO best practices, website content management (CMS), and video optimization (YouTube).
• Event Platforms: Strong working knowledge of event creation and management tools (e.g., Eventbrite, Zoom for webinars and virtual meetings).
• Design Software: Competency in graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) for assisting with promotional materials.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Prolonged Periods: The employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods and work at a computer.
• Communication: Must be able to communicate effectively through verbal and written means.
• Mobility: Must be able to occasionally lift and carry boxes or equipment up to 35 pounds for events and retreats.
• Travel: Ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally to attend conferences and events as needed (approximately 10–20% travel). Access to a car and the ability to drive are requirements for this role.