Chief External Affairs Officer in Oakland, California at AERDF

The RoleThe Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) will lead the development and execution of AERDF’s external strategy, positioning the organization as a leading force in education innovation, learning science, and equitable R&D.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CEAO will serve as a key member of the leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO and Board. The CEAO will oversee communications, marketing, partnerships, and development, ensuring these functions operate in a coordinated and high-impact manner to advance AERDF’s mission and strategic priorities.

Working from a strong understanding of AERDF’s model and the broader external landscape, the CEAO will define and execute a comprehensive external affairs strategy, encompassing narrative, brand, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, to increase AERDF’s visibility, influence, and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and External Strategy

• Partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team to drive and coordinate AERDF’s multi-year external strategy, aligning external priorities with enterprise goals
• Support Board-level strategic discussions and presentations related to external affairs, positioning, and growth
• Monitor the external environment, including philanthropy, research, policy, and adjacent sectors, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that may impact AERDF’s strategy
• Assess progress against strategic goals and ensure alignment between external affairs activities and organizational priorities

Fundraising and Development Leadership

• Drive and scale AERDF’s fundraising efforts, expanding and diversifying philanthropic support, with a focus on major donors and long-term capital partners
• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Board to cultivate and steward key funder relationships
• Ensure strong coordination between fundraising, communications, and partnerships to support organizational growth

Narrative, Communications, and Brand

• Shape and articulate a clear, compelling external narrative that translates AERDF’s complex R&D model into an accessible and differentiated value proposition
• Lead the development of an integrated communications and marketing strategy across channels, including digital, media, convenings, and publications, to ensure consistent messaging and strong brand positioning
• Build and lead a high-performing communications and storytelling function, elevating AERDF’s voice and positioning as a thought leader
• Identify and enable opportunities for senior leaders to engage externally through media, conferences, and public forums
• Oversee internal communications to ensure alignment, clarity of strategy, and consistency of messaging across the organization

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Build and maintain executive-level relationships across philanthropic, public, and private sectors, as well as with researchers, system leaders, and ecosystem partners
• Position AERDF to effectively communicate its outcomes, impact, and learning to diverse audiences across the education and innovation landscape
• Serve as a visible spokesperson and ambassador, representing AERDF in public forums, convenings, and with key stakeholders