Organization:

Northwest Outward Bound School changes lives through challenge and discovery. Our students test their strengths, challenge their fears, and discover that they are capable of far more than they ever thought possible. They learn how to bring out the best in themselves every single day and to apply that goodness back to their world. By bringing their Outward Bound experiences back to their families, schools and communities, our students are the leaders who will help create the peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world we all yearn to have.

Northwest Outward Bound School was founded in 1965 and facilitates wilderness-based programs in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and serves urban youth, schools, and partner organizations in the Portland metropolitan area. We are committed to the core values of compassion, integrity, excellence, inclusion, and diversity, striving to achieve the following outcomes: building character, developing leadership skills, and creating an ethic of personal, social, and environmental responsibility.

Our administrative team consists of 20 dedicated, fun, and supportive leaders spread over three locations, a Portland administrative office, and base camps in Central Oregon and Northern Washington. We also employ phenomenal instructors steeped in youth development, social and emotional learning, technical outdoor skills, and expert facilitation. Our Portland office is located in the west end of downtown and hosts an inclusive, active, flexible, and results-focused culture.

We are a family and adventure-friendly employer. A number of our admin staff work less than full time to balance family relationships/responsibilities or to allow for adequate time to travel, adventure, or otherwise pursue personal goals. This role is expected to be 1.0 FTE.

Summary:

The Partnerships & Marketing Manager will develop and deploy a regional outreach strategy and program in collaboration with the Executive Director, Program Directors, Student Services Director, and Development Director. Success for this position will be defined by custom contract and enrollment growth, local and national brand presence and traction, and strong collaborative relationships with other senior leaders. This position leads our marketing and communications effort, supports our existing custom program clients, and leads growth in both custom client work and open enrollment.

The successful candidate will be expected to have past training and experience in equity, inclusion, and diversity work. A strong track record of working with culturally specific organizations is a strong advantage for this role given our current and future work.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities:

Marketing and Outreach Coordination

• Develop and execute marketing and outreach strategies to ensure that the school meets or exceeds revenue targets for open enrollment courses.
• Lead and actively contribute to the internal Communications team, overseeing social media and external communications. Coordinate the generating and publishing of content for social media channels, newsletters, blog, etc.
• Ensure national and regional outreach and marketing strategies are coordinated and aligned.
• Develop and manage audience strategies including, but not limited to, youth and adult students, parents of students, educational institutions, individual donors, and corporate funders and clients.
• Manage deadlines related to the development of national marketing efforts including requests for copy, digital media, etc. used in national web and catalog development.
• Oversee the in-person outreach efforts of the school including college and gap year fairs, summer activity and camp fairs, trade shows, and specific visits to regional private and public secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

Sales and Business Development

• Develop and execute an annual outreach plan that focuses on regional secondary schools and colleges, corporations, and other organizations.
• Cultivate and build relationships with businesses and community partners which provide resources and funding to serve students and meet program outcomes.
• Responsible for reaching annual sales goals.
• Develop a robust pipeline of key new and expansion clients and regularly communicate goals and progress to key internal stakeholders.
• Using a consultative sales approach, develop and design programs appropriate for client needs and outcomes in collaboration with Program Directors and Executive Director.

Custom Program Management and Reporting

• Manage regular engagement, contract, and invoicing process with existing program clients.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to design and sell programs with achievable deliverable outcomes and at places/times with operational and staff capacity.
• Responsible for tracking sales and revenue statistics and facilitating proper invoicing of all custom program clients in a timely manner.
• Responsible for account management of past and current clients.
• Coordinate pre and post-program components with Student Services Director and other key staff, including student screening, program evaluation, staff debriefs, and any external required reporting.

Financial Management

• Manage Sales & Marketing related expense budgets.
• Participate in annual budgeting process.

General

• Represent Northwest Outward Bound School with the highest degree of integrity and in line with organizational mission, values, and brand positioning.
• Contribute to professional development of peers both within the school and across the broader Outward Bound network.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Experience in marketing and/or direct sales preferred.
• Entrepreneurial, results-driven style and ability to identify and implement creative approaches to sales, program delivery, and relationships.
• Past success in social media, digital marketing, and in creating and leading engagement campaigns.
• Past training and leadership in equity, inclusion, and diversity work, particularly pertaining to marketing and partnerships with culturally specific organizations.
• Interpersonal skills and versatility to effectively build relationships across a broad spectrum.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with field staff, program management staff, and administration.
• Ability to communicate the Outward Bound mission effectively to gain community support.
• Ability to perform and excel under tight deadlines and meet financial goals.
• Proven track record of managing and growing sales in the education market place.
• Background and experience in business, education, non-profit management, or another related field preferred.
• Experience working with a variety of populations, including but not limited to secondary school youth, educators, community leaders, and corporate leaders.

Accountabilities: ​This position reports to the Executive Director.