Associate Director of Program Management
Some companies are in the Business of Technology.
Others are in the Business of Finance Or Sports Or Soft Drinks.
At EF, we're in a different kind of business.
One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important.
Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible.
We're in the Business of Understanding.
Between people. Between cultures.
For over half a century we've been the leader in international educational programs and methods designed to foster such understanding. Through Language, Cultural Exchange, Academic Studies, and Educational Travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world. And yes, we have technology, we have finance, we even have sports with our own professional cycling team EF Education - EasyPost. But it's what we do with it - Building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world that makes all the difference.
EF Educational Tours (ET) and Explore America (EA), divisions of EF Education First, are seeking a dynamic and driven Associate Director of Program Management to join our growing Marketing team. In this role, you will lead organizing, and monitoring marketing programs that support Group Leaders (teachers who lead the tours), parents and students in preparation for their educational tour. This role is hybrid based in the Cambridge, MA office with 3 days' work in office and 2 days' work elsewhere.
Associate Director of Program Management:
You will be crucial in managing our 3-year Marketing plan and its associated projects to completion and our market plan. You will also be expected to lead the marketing planning process to ensure organizational and business objectives are met. The Associate Director of Program Management must be a strong leader who can multitask successfully under pressure, be highly organized, and translate information into clear, actionable next steps to quickly move projects forward. They must possess the ability to excel at both strategic planning and execution.
As the Associate Director of Program Management, you'll combine your strengths in project management and marketing into a unique and rewarding role. The ideal candidate will have a sharp business mind and proven ability to strategize and implement high-level program initiatives. You will oversee and deploy impactful, business critical work every day in partnership with a several internal teams. You'll be responsible for maintaining alignment of marketing goals and be the driving force for schedule adherence. You will partner closely with the Associate Director of Production to ensure work is being forecasted and submitted to the project management tool, that upfront marketing strategy work pre-briefing is accounted for, and partner in capacity forecasting and planning. Ultimately, you should be motivated by a desire to optimize productivity and nurture program success from inception to completion.
What you'll do:
Oversee marketing's strategic planning process which includes long term planning and the annual go-to-market planning
Ensure there is a holistic approach and provide a broad view across all marketing projects and programs
Development of marketing project plans for large scale transformational initiatives, including resource planning and prioritization
Partner with multiple project and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment so that marketing program goals are reached
Facilitate project communication and solution-setting to mitigate project risks
Analyze process and workflows to identify areas of optimization, and oversee implementation to drive continued operational efficiencies
Who you are:
You're a strategic thinker and value the program management process; setting the team up for success throughout it. You're a passionate team player with extraordinary attention to detail. You embrace a busy, collaborative environment and never shy away from contributing. You're an avid planner, organized and adept at driving the Marketing plan forward. You like checking things off your to-do list and ending the day knowing that you made a difference. You also have:
Experience-10+ years of Program Management or related, preferably at an agency or an in-house marketing team
Experience managing & negotiating with third-party vendors and managing the production for marketing projects
Experience with developing and tracking key financial and other relevant KPIs
Communicative-you know who needs to know what and when and never leave anyone in the dark
Collaborative-you work and play well with others
Detailed - you might as well have microscopes for eyes because no small detail goes unnoticed
Driven-you're confident, goal-oriented and take initiative
Solution-oriented-you're a whiz at learning new things and finding the most efficient solution to problems
Adaptable-you shift gears quickly and manage time well
Passport-you're going to need it.
Who we are:
The overall ET/EA Marketing, Creative, and Digital Services team is made up of 50+ staff: writers, designers, video editors, producers, photographers, web content developers, email and marketing automation, lead-generators, and more. We make anything the business needs and create whatever we can dream up, all in-house. Customer-first and collaboration forward, the Marketing Strategy team leverages our deep understanding of the customer and the business to drive the strategies and solutions that get more students and teachers traveling.
Why you'll love working here:
Work in our beautiful Cambridge, MA or Denver, CO office, where you'll enjoy comprehensive professional development, frequent social programming and employee-run DEIB Resource Groups and clubs.
You can expect:
Paid international and domestic travel at least once a year (more as you grow with us)
Eligibility for our Workplace Flexibility Program: our hybrid work model with up to two days of work-from-home flexibility work per week, after your initial onboarding
Robust professional growth opportunities including monthly trainings, workshops, and inspiring talks with global leaders and experts
Four weeks paid vacation your first year and ten paid holidays
25% company match on your 401(k) contribution
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with life and disability insurance
Wellness benefits and a yearly fitness reimbursement
EF program discounts including travel, language schools, childcare, and more
Dependent care, healthcare, and commuter flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
Discounts at local venues and businesses
Yes, we're a large global company of 55,000 employees in 115 countries, but we act with the nimbleness and agility of a much smaller organization. Founded and run by the same family since 1965. We're always on the lookout for people with drive, creativity, empathy and what we like to call 'fingerspitzengefuhl' (German for 'keeping ones finger on the pulse'), to help us continue our journey; to transform lives, and yes, make the world a better place. Is that you? Then step into a larger world and apply for the roles that will excite you and challenge you in new ways.
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