[Hiring] Chief External Affairs Officer @Aerdf

Role Description

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.

Qualifications

• Senior external affairs leader with a demonstrated ability to operate at both the strategic and executional levels within complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Track record of developing and executing integrated external strategies, including communications, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement.
• Player-coach leader capable of building and scaling functions while personally leading high-impact initiatives, relationships, and outcomes.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Deep experience across communications/marketing, philanthropy, policy, partnerships.
• Ability to lead, manage, and develop teams while driving clarity, accountability, and performance.
• Exceptional ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders (funders, researchers, policymakers, practitioners).
• Outstanding communicator with the ability to simplify complex ideas without losing rigor.
• Deep commitment to equity and improving outcomes for historically underserved students.

Benefits

• This position is fully remote.