InStride is a public benefit company whose mission is to develop the workforce of the future by helping employers provide career-boosting education opportunities to their employees through a network of high-quality academic institutions. We believe the most enduring way for companies to achieve transformative business and social impact is by investing in their people.

Role Overview

InStride is looking for an Associate Creative Director to be the torchbearer for all things brand storytelling at InStride. The ideal candidate can drive brand evolution from a storytelling perspective, as well as craft the language for mission-critical business development initiatives, all while being able to successfully manage designers and external vendors. Working closely with the marketing team, this role will lead teams to create brand stories focused on strategic enterprise education programs that solve business and social problems across multiple industries from manufacturing to healthcare.

The preferred candidate has experience working as a content design player/coach for a fast-paced organization; can help manage a diverse workload while partnering with internal partners & executives to reflect InStride's new brand voice, tone, and value, and is deeply aligned with the business and social impact of our mission. This is a great opportunity to be an integral part of the InStride team, creating fulfilled lives and thriving enterprises and communities — all joined by the power of education.

Key Responsibilities

• Work effectively with external vendors and InStride colleagues to complete projects within timeframe and budget
• Review team’s and external vendor’s work to ensure it aligns to tone, style, brand guidelines, and voice
• Quarterly/monthly assignment and execution planning in partnership with marketing, sales and product content strategists
• Craft brand campaigns and marketing creative
• Craft digital content that compels corporate partners and learners to take action and is original in the education marketplace
• Concept and write campaign ideas for corporate partner projects and mission-critical new business initiatives that drive action and engagement
• Lead the ongoing evolution of InStride's brand guidelines
• Present at the executive-level brand storytelling solutions and rationale, as well as to the team and key partners

Ideal Profile

• 7+ years of content design experience (education experience a plus)
• 2+ years experience leading a team and resource forecasting
• Portfolio showcasing creative excellence from branding campaigns to tactical marketing to UX copy across all touchpoints and channels
• A passion for great work with the vision, instincts and resourcefulness to make it happen
• Significant experience taking the lead in strategy and brand messaging discussions with executives and sales and marketing teams
• Partnering with multi-disciplinary strategists to define content goals and journeys based on corporate partner or learner goals
• Writing, curating, and editing content for accuracy, clarity, and usability
• Mastery of short-form and long-form written communication
• Adhering to and evolving brand guidelines
• Experience working within diverse, dynamic, cross-functional teams
• Eager to solicit feedback from real users, teammates and executives
• Ability to listen and understand feedback from a diverse set of partners
• Ability to multi-task and lead the team to deliver a high-quality output every time, on time
• Excited by the challenge of building a world-class business that delivers not only high revenue growth and compelling return on investment, but also has a meaningful impact on society
• High EQ, comfort with ambiguity and a “no job too small” startup mentality

If you are looking to apply for one of our Remote opportunities please know that InStride is only able to employ candidates from the following states.

California

Arizona

Washington

Texas

Massachusetts

Maryland

Michigan

Florida

New Jersey

Ohio

InStride is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, medical condition, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance relating to an applicant's criminal history.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please discuss your requested accommodation with our HRBP.