Director, Branding and Communications
Mumbai
Working at Teach For India
Teach For India is on a journey to reach an India free of poverty and filled with love by ending educational inequity in our country. Fifteen years into our journey we are a movement of ~5000+ Alumni working at all levels of the education system, who are reaching 1 in 10 children across the country. These Alumni have graduated from our two-year Fellowship Program where they taught in under-resourced classrooms to put ~33,500 low-income children on a different life path.
Today, we have ~1000 Fellows and are the largest pipeline of driven, skilled talent into the educational ecosystem in India. Over 16,000 Teach For India students have appeared for the 10th grade board examinations till date, with an impressive 95% pass rate across cities as of November 2024.
In 2022, we embarked on Phase 4, our fourth strategic phase. We have a bold and ambitious ten-year journey ahead of us that aims to grow 50,000 leaders, who will work collectively, and with love, to transform the lives of 1 in 10 low-income children in our regions, through an education that unleashes the potential of self, others and India. In this decade, five key priorities will lead us to this vision.
Strengthen our core Fellowship to build strong teacher leaders who provide an excellent and equitable education to our children and continue to do so beyond the Fellowship
Scale our impact by strategically introducing additional Fellowships as alternative pathways for leadership development
Match the Alumni of our programs at an intersection of their interests and the needs of the system and our children
Advocate for key issues that impact educational equity, and engage 3.5% of the population in the movement for educational equity
Act collectively with our Alumni to learn about and address key issues in our regions.
Our work will only be completed when we have built a movement of leaders that is large enough to ensure that every child in India attains an excellent education.
We pride ourselves as being a passionate, idealistic, mission-driven team of individuals. We're committed to learning and excellence in our roles, and to being deeply rooted in our core values.
What Teach For India Can Offer You?
- The opportunity to be part of one of the most established and visionary movements in the education sector in India which is at a pivotal point in terms of expanding its scale and outreach across the nation and working with changemakers across the country.
- A challenging yet flexible workplace in which every individual employee's Staff journey is tracked for excellence and leadership development.
- A work environment in which employees' holistic well-being is a core priority, enabling people to be their best selves.
- Access to connections and resources from the global Teach For All network that includes partner organizations spanning 50+ countries across 6 continents.
- Remuneration that is competitive within the top quartile of the Indian NGO pay scales, and a benefits package that includes extensive medical insurance and maternity coverage for both parents.
Position Summary:
Reports to: Senior Director, People
Manages: 10-12 member team
- The Director of Branding Communications will lead the vision, strategy, and execution of all branding, communications, media, and advocacy efforts for Teach For India. This role is critical in ensuring the organization's mission and vision are communicated powerfully and authentically to inspire action and drive engagement with key stakeholders.
- As a visionary leader, the Director will stay ahead of trends, proactively integrating innovative ideas and strategies into Teach For India's work to elevate storytelling and take visibility to the next level. A significant focus will be driving awareness and visibility for Teach For India's core Fellowship program to increase applications, while also advocating for critical organizational priorities such as holistic leadership, child safety, and student partnerships.
- This individual will serve as a key ambassador for Teach For India, fostering relationships with media, external stakeholders, and partners, while working cross-functionally with internal teams to amplify the organization's impact. The Director will oversee a dynamic and growing Marketing Communications team, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic goals and vision.
Team Overview:
- The Branding and Communication team at Teach For India plays a pivotal role in shaping how the organization is perceived both internally and externally. As storytellers and strategists, we amplify the mission of educational equity by creating compelling narratives that inspire action and drive engagement.
- We oversee all facets of brand strategy, including visual identity, digital presence, media outreach, and storytelling. Through creative campaigns, events, and partnerships, we connect with diverse audiences-Fellows, Alumni, Donors, Partners, and the larger community-to build trust, advocacy, and support for our work.
- Our team thrives on creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to amplifying the voices of our kids and those working to end educational inequity. Together, we ensure that every communication reflects the heart of Teach For India's mission and vision.
Responsibilities:
As the Director, Branding and Communications:
Vision and Strategy:
- Set and guide the long-term vision and direction for Teach For India's branding and communication strategy.
- Stay ahead of trends and proactively integrate innovations to enhance storytelling and brand engagement.
- Define and refine Teach For India's brand identity, strategy, and core messages to resonate with diverse audiences.
Brand Awareness and Advocacy:
- Develop and execute strategies to significantly increase visibility for the Fellowship program and drive application numbers.
- Build and implement advocacy campaigns that amplify Teach For India's commitment to holistic leadership, child safety, and student partnerships.
- Leverage opportunities to feature Teach For India nationally and globally through the Teach For All network.
Media and External Relations:
- Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and other key constituencies to amplify Teach For India's brand stature.
- Serve as the primary media liaison: managing inquiries, pitching stories, and writing key communications materials (op-eds, press releases, talking points, speeches).
- Manage crisis communication and reputation management for the organization.
Content and Storytelling:
- Conceptualize campaigns and initiatives to elevate the quality and impact of Teach For India's storytelling.
- Build communications vehicles to create momentum, test impact, and reach new audiences effectively.
Digital Presence and Analytics:
- Oversee the strategy, content, and analytics for the Teach For India website and social media platforms.
- Use data-driven insights to continuously improve communications strategies.
Team Leadership and Training:
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing Brand Communications team.
- Develop and deliver training modules for communications ambassadors, spokespersons, and internal teams to enhance messaging and alignment.
- Support key organizational initiatives such as Summer Institute and Selection Centres.
Strategic Partnerships:
- Build and manage external relationships with multilateral organizations, NGOs, events, and global bodies to support Teach For India's goals.
- Conceive special events, campaigns, and collaborations that align with the organization's mission.
As a People Manager:
- Build a robust pipeline of talent to lead the organization.
- Manage and coach the team to ambitious outcomes.
- Drive engagement, growth, and retention of team members.
- Engineer and oversee a monitoring and evaluation system, coupled with strategic direction, to guide our abilities to continuously improve.
As a member of the Leadership team:
- Provide feedback on and play a part in organizational decision-making and long-term strategy.
- Drive internal alignment and support for Teach For India's core Programs.
- Serve as an ambassador of the Teach For India brand and an advocate for our work and for educational equity in our country through both internal and external communication.
- Support with key organizational areas such as Fundraising, Movement Building, Alumni Engagement
Minimum Qualifications, Experiences and Expectations:
Exceptional Communication Skills: Outstanding written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with diverse audiences, internal teams, and stakeholders. Able to present complex ideas clearly and engagingly.
Strategic Leadership: Proven track record in developing and leading comprehensive communications, media relations, marketing, and online strategies, including hands-on experience managing social media outreach.
Project and Time Management: Superior project management and organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects under tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: A proactive, solutions-oriented attitude, with the ability to work independently and take initiative, while also being an enthusiastic and collaborative team player.
Media Relations Expertise: Strong competency in media relations, including building relationships, pitching stories, and managing press interactions.
Creative Aptitude: Familiarity with interactive design, website management/maintenance, and social media marketing platforms, paired with a flair for innovation and storytelling.
Adaptability and Vision Alignment: Open and adaptive, with the ability to work closely with the CEO to amplify her voice and vision while ensuring alignment with Teach For India's mission and strategic priorities.
Mission-Driven: A deep alignment with Teach For India's mission of educational equity, combined with a passion for driving meaningful change.
Preferred Qualifications, Experiences and Expectations
Experience: At least 7 years of relevant work experience in marketing, communications, or public relations. Candidates with less experience but a proven track record in media relations and exceptional results are also encouraged to apply. Prior experience in an agency setting is a plus.
Education: An advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field is preferred. Candidates with an MBA or management degree and relevant experience in the creative industry will also be considered.
Sector Knowledge: Prior experience in the non-profit or education sectors is highly desirable.
Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex projects, with significant experience in managing people and processes.
- Note: We want to hear your unique voice and perspectives through the process, hence all applicants are expected to personally author statements of purpose/essays in the application form. Sole use of AI or Chat-GPT based tools may lead to disqualification from the process.
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