Director of Marketing

About CDI

The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to heal the deep divisions tearing our country apart. We build educational tools to transform college campuses into inclusive learning environments that support dialogue across differences. To achieve this, CDI translates cutting-edge behavioral science research into practical, evidence-based tools that are scalable for campus leaders, administrators, faculty, staff, and students. While our tools are primarily designed for higher education, they are also used in workplaces and high schools. CDI was co-founded by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling author of The Righteous Mind and The Coddling of the American Mind.

CDI is at a pivotal moment of growth, having more than doubled the number of partners we work with in 2024, and with plans to double our reach again in 2025. As an emerging thought leader in bridge-building and dialogue, we’re excited to carry this momentum forward, broadening our reach to empower even more learners to engage constructively across differences.

About the role

The Marketing Director will play a critical role in developing and executing CDI’s brand marketing strategy and solidifying our position as the market leader for delivering evidence-based programming to promote constructive dialogue and improve campus cultures. The ideal candidate has experience in building and managing comprehensive marketing campaigns, thought leadership initiatives, creating content, and managing PR and social media strategies. This person will report to the VP of Growth, and have the opportunity to build and manage a small team dedicated to executing on CDI’s marketing strategy. The Marketing Director will also be responsible for managing key relationships with outside agencies and vendors who provide PR and other services. The Marketing Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Research, Content, and Leadership, to ensure our brand is communicated effectively and consistently across all channels.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Brand Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy in partnership with the VP of Growth to elevate brand awareness, drive engagement, and support CDI’s strategic goals.

• Lead CDI’s brand strategy to solidify our position as a market leader in dialogue-based programming. Ensure all initiatives align with CDI’s mission, values, and desired impact.

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Capable of building, leading, and mentoring a small marketing team dedicated to executing CDI’s strategy, supporting their growth and performance.

• Manage relationships with external agencies and vendors, such as PR and media firms, to expand CDI’s reach and impact through aligned, cohesive messaging.

Campaign & Content Execution

• Thought Leadership: Collaborate with the Research team to develop and promote thought leadership content that communicates CDI’s expertise and impact to key audiences.

• Content Creation: Oversee content production for newsletters, partner communications, social media, email, and the website to ensure impactful, consistent messaging across channels.

• Email Marketing: Manage and optimize email campaigns, including newsletters and audience engagement follow-up, to maintain a strong connection with our community.

• Collateral Management: Maintain and update website content and forms to support lead capture and engagement, ensuring alignment with the needs of CDI’s Growth team.

• Social Media: Lead the strategy and execution of social media content to increase engagement, expand our online community, and elevate CDI’s digital presence.

• Public Relations: In conjunction with a partner firm, develop PR strategies that promote CDI’s research and thought leadership, building credibility and awareness among target audiences.

Analytics, Metrics & Lead Management

• Track and analyze marketing performance across all channels, including SEO, ROI, lead generation, and conversion metrics. Adjust strategies based on insights to maximize effectiveness.

• Collaborate with CDI's internal Partnerships (Sales) team to build a lead generation strategy, leveraging HubSpot to track marketing leads and conversions. Ensure marketing efforts are optimized for alignment with sales goals.

External Relationships & Events

• Cultivate partnerships with outside organizations and influencers to expand CDI’s visibility and impact through joint initiatives and aligned objectives.

• Work with the internal Partnerships team to support conference participation, develop event collateral, and track performance metrics, including ROI and cost per lead, to ensure effectiveness.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of senior marketing experience with a proven track record in brand-building, ideally within a startup, high-growth, or mission-driven organization.

• Experience in building and managing a small team of marketing professionals to execute a well-rounded, data-driven strategy.

• Demonstrated experience managing third-party relationships with PR firms, agencies, and other vendors.

• Strong background in designing and executing high-impact marketing strategies that elevate brand awareness, drive engagement, and enhance connection with target audiences.

• Deep understanding of content creation, email marketing, and public relations to build an impactful and cohesive brand presence.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities to convey CDI’s message clearly and authentically across channels.

• Experience in tracking, analyzing, and adjusting marketing performance to maximize impact; familiarity with tools like Google Analytics and HubSpot is a plus.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Proficiency in CRM platforms and marketing automation tools; experience with HubSpot is strongly preferred.