Job Details

The Purpose of Zearn

Zearn is the nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to inspire all kids to love learning math. Everything we do is driven by our belief that every kid is a math kid.

Our top-rated learning platform is designed to catch kids up and move them forward in grade-level math. And it works. Large-scale efficacy research shows students who use Zearn make significant gains in math proficiency, including the students who start multiple grade levels behind.

The vital importance of learning math today is hard to understate, and yet today, it is common to think that only some are born to achieve in math. Math learning is often disparaged and feared (e.g. I'd rather go to the dentist than do algebra) or viewed as a special interest or luxury (e.g. if kids don't have a passion for math that is okay, maybe they have a passion for pottery). We don't look at learning to read the same way. Zearn exists to help create a world where all children love learning math.

As a nonprofit, all of our work is driven by what is best for kids. At the same time, we operate as an intense and fast-moving technology company, inclusively solving hard problems that will impact current and future generations. The problems we solve require expertise in pedagogy, software development, persuasion, psychology, design, writing, video production, problem solving, and countless other disciplines. As an organization that is always stretching to get to the next level of impact, every single person owns mission critical work. If you're ready to join our Team of problem solvers, and own work that will drive us to achieve impact at scale, we are looking for you.

Learn more about us at

The Purpose of this Role

Zearn is seeking a high-impact strategic operator to partner with the Chief Marketing Officer at a pivotal moment of growth. In this role, you'll lead the strategy and execution of cross-functional marketing programs and partnerships that expand Zearn's reach, advancing initiatives that increase educator awareness of Zearn and create measurable impact on math achievement.

You will own the marketing amplification strategy that surrounds Zearn's core messaging including paid marketing, influencer programs, field and event strategy, and coalition partnerships. Your work will ensure Zearn shows up powerfully in the moments and channels that matter most, driving coordinated, high-leverage visibility that unlocks new opportunities to scale Zearn's mission.

You'll also lead strategic marketing operations and special initiatives, owning the workplanning, rhythms, and cross-functional execution that turn big-picture strategy into day-to-day progress. That includes developing the marketing roadmap and incubating special projects that don't sit neatly in one function until they're proven and ready to scale.

You'll collaborate deeply with teams across the organization - from Strategy and Research to Communications and Creative - and will have regular exposure to Zearn's Executive Leadership Team. This role is ideal for a leader with a top-tier management consulting background looking to step into a fast-paced, mission-driven marketing environment where strategic thinking and operational rigor will directly shape how Zearn reaches more students, and helps them learn and love math.

Problems and Processes this Role Owns

Drive Strategic Workplanning and Marketing Rhythm, owning the structure and cadence that turns strategy into execution.

• Lead quarterly marketing planning processes, ensuring strategic clarity, cross-functional alignment, and measurable prioritization across marketing workstreams.
• Drive operational discipline across the team, ensuring all high-impact initiatives have clear scopes, owners, timelines, and success metrics before work begins.
• Serve as a trusted operating partner to the CMO, tracking progress on strategic priorities, flagging risks early, and maintaining clarity across the leadership team.
• Build and maintain marketing roadmaps that reflect organizational priorities, emerging needs, and long-term vision.

Lead Strategic Marketing Initiatives and Special Projects, guiding high-impact programs that span functions or defy existing team structures, until they're proven and ready to scale.

• Serve as the strategic lead for emerging programs that don't yet sit in a single function, guiding pilots from concept to execution and ensuring durable integration.
• Translate ambitious, cross-functional ideas into marketing strategies with defined outcomes, roles, and operating models.
• Prepare compelling materials and updates for key stakeholders, including funders, customers, and Zearn's Board of Directors.
• Mentor and coach workstream leads, strengthening strategy, execution, and executive engagement readiness across the team.

Mobilize Go-to-Market Strategies and Amplification Channels, designing and executing integrated strategies that grow visibility, credibility, and relevance in education.

• Lead Zearn's amplification efforts - including field strategy, influencer marketing, paid marketing, and vendor partnerships.
• Own the strategy and execution of Zearn's grasstops engagement - building awareness in key moments such as national convenings, state summits, and strategic presentations via sponsorships and high-impact activations.
• Own strategy and execution for ~20 field events annually, ensuring Zearn's presence is aligned to brand, supports GTM strategy, and generates clear learnings.
• Oversee paid media planning and execution with external partners, setting performance goals, reviewing creative, and ensuring spend is aligned to organizational priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs and outputs across Marketing Ops, Creative, and Product Marketing to ensure amplification strategies are timely, aligned, and measurable.

Lead AI-Driven Transformation of Marketing Strategy, embedding intelligence, efficiency, and experimentation into Zearn's core marketing operations.

• Champion adoption of AI tools across field-facing marketing workflows, supporting campaign design, targeting, personalization, and analysis.
• Identify and implement AI-powered solutions to reduce manual lift and increase the precision of campaign planning and execution.
• Build team fluency and experimentation culture - ensuring AI enhances, rather than replaces, strategic judgment and creativity.

The Next Problems for This Role to Solve

• What channels, partnerships, and strategies will significantly increase Zearn's brand awareness, student usage, and overall market share?
• How can we optimize multi-channel GTM partnerships, including state-level expansions to maximize co-promotion and broaden Zearn's reach?
• How can we effectively harness AI-driven marketing strategies to accelerate growth as well as teacher activation and engagement?
• Which metrics will best guide ongoing marketing decisions and demonstrate the ROI of strategic initiatives?

• How can we drive continuous improvement in marketing operations, ensuring efficiency, cross-functional coordination, and scalability?
  

The Skills You Will Use in This Role

Strategic Planning & Execution

You have a proven ability to set a clear vision, map out strategies, and execute effectively across multiple workstreams. You balance creativity with a structured approach to deliver high-impact marketing initiatives.

Cross-functional Leadership & Coaching

You are adept at leading and motivating teams, both direct reports and cross-functional partners. You excel at mentorship and can coach workstream leads to think strategically, manage priorities, and produce high-quality outputs.

Effective Communication & Stakeholder Management

You transform complex data and ideas into clear narratives that resonate with a variety of audiences, from Board members to external partners. You navigate stakeholder needs with poise and influence.

Data Analysis & AI Fluency

You excel at using data to drive decisions, with experience leveraging AI-driven insights for campaign optimization, targeting, and personalization. You ensure analytics are used to inform strategy, not just measure outputs.

Change Management & Adaptability

You thrive in a dynamic environment, quickly pivoting when priorities shift. You guide teams through change, ensuring new processes and tools (such as AI) are adopted smoothly and effectively.

Potential Markers of these Skills

• 7–10+ years of experience in management consulting or similar strategic roles, with a preference for education or nonprofit sector experience.
• Proven record of managing multiple complex workstreams with autonomy and delivering measurable impact.
• Experience leading teams and providing coaching and feedback on strategic projects, priorities, and execution.
• Proven facility with data (analytics, KPIs) and comfort with AI-driven tools to refine marketing strategies.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders - both internal and external - and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Passion for Zearn's mission to help all kids love and learn math, matched with the drive to use marketing as a lever for social impact.

Location

This role is remote and can performed in any of the following states/locations:

CA, CT, FL, IL, LA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI and Washington D.C.

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this role is $130,000-$180,000 per year.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 401K matching, parental leave, a generous Holiday policy, and a flexible PTO policy. We also offer a collegial and passionate culture and the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of children.

TO APPLY:

Zearn is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.