Head of Marketing EdTech - $150K + Equity Growth Role in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This is a high-impact, first-marketing-hire role at a fast-growing edtech company with 100%+ annual revenue growth since 2023 — a strong green flag for career trajectory. Reporting directly to the CEO means significant strategic influence and visibility, but also accountability without a marketing leadership safety net above you.
Compensation context: At $150,000 base plus stock options, this is competitive for a Head of Marketing at a Series A/B-stage edtech company. Market data suggests VP/Head of Marketing roles in edtech typically range from $130K–$190K depending on stage and location. The stock options could be very meaningful if the company continues its growth trajectory.
Skills you'll develop:
- AI-driven marketing operations and generative engine optimization (GEO) — an emerging, high-demand skill set
- Go-to-market leadership in K-12 and early childhood ed — a specialized niche with long-term defensibility
- Player-coach execution at a startup — builds both strategic and hands-on credibility
- Cross-functional leadership with sales, product, and research teams
Green flags: Direct CEO access, equity upside, autonomy to build from scratch, explicit AI-forward culture, and a clearly articulated non-spray-and-pray marketing philosophy.
Potential red flags: This is the first marketing hire, meaning you'll likely be building systems, stack, and processes from zero with limited internal support. Conference travel and event management also reduce the pure "remote flexibility" of the role. Candidates should ask about team growth plans and budget authority during interviews.
Head of Marketing — Pre-K to 12 Learning
Location: Remote within USA only
Reports to: CEO
Employment Type: Full-time employee
Compensation: $150,000 plus benefits and stock options
Our client is seeking a hands-on Head of Marketing to lead product marketing, brand strategy, partnerships, and growth across their pre-K through 12 offerings. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will work closely with senior leaders to shape company strategy and priorities. This will be the first full-time marketing role at the company. Our client is a fast-growing company with 100%+ annual revenue growth since 2023.
With an initial market focus on state- and city-level accounts in pre-K through Kindergarten, you will build the brand with educators and education decision-makers. Primary buyers are early-childhood program directors, district and state early-learning leaders, and Head Start and other publicly funded programs; secondary audiences include researchers and universities, clinicians, curriculum and distribution partners, and families.
This is a player-coach role for a strategic leader who also executes: building campaigns, developing partnerships, managing marketing systems, strengthening discoverability, and partnering closely with sales, product, and research. You will actively champion AI and automation to improve productivity while maintaining accuracy, quality, and brand consistency. The approach prioritizes organic discovery, public relations, media opportunities, partnerships, precise and targeted outbound, and conversion improvement — rather than dependence on paid web advertising or high-volume email blasts. As the organization grows, this role offers strong potential for advancement.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Brand Marketing
- Develop and execute the go-to-market strategy, define ideal customer profiles and segments, and establish differentiated positioning, starting with pre-K–K.
- Own the annual marketing plan and budget, informed by market and competitive insight.
- Build a consistent brand voice, visual identity, and brand guidelines across the website, content, presentations, and media.
Product Marketing
- Partner with product and research to communicate product value accurately, plan launches, and develop messaging for the assessment and curriculum offerings.
- Build customer evidence, including case studies and outcomes stories.
- Provide market input on pricing and packaging and create sales presentations and resources.
Business Development & Partnerships
- Source marketing partnerships and plan & execute co-marketing programs with partners in distribution, curriculum, research, and customers.
- Build relationships with education associations, conference organizers, and funders' networks.
Outbound Marketing
- Plan and run conferences, field events, and speaking opportunities.
- Run account-based outreach to priority districts, programs, and agencies in coordination with sales.
- Produce webinars and targeted nurture campaigns that reach the right audience with relevant content.
Inbound & Communications
- Lead SEO and generative engine optimization (GEO), including domain authority, rankings, and visibility in AI-powered discovery.
- Develop media relationships, create press materials, secure earned media, and evaluate paid media opportunities.
- Manage website content and updates, improve acquisition journeys, and test approaches to increase qualified traffic and conversions.
- Create content that educates buyers and supports organic discovery.
CRM, Marketing Ops & Analytics
- Own the marketing side of the CRM: data hygiene, lifecycle stages, lead scoring, and the marketing-to-sales handoff agreement.
- Implement AI-assisted research, agentic workflows, and marketing automation with appropriate human review and safeguards for confidential information.
Cross-functional Leadership & Team Building
- Partner closely with sales, product, and research, and resolve disagreements constructively across departments.
- Manage contractors and agencies with clear ownership and quality standards.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in B2B, education, eLearning, or edtech marketing, including 5+ years leading a marketing function or major program.
- Marketing leadership experience in pre-K and/or elementary or higher education, with a strong understanding of early childhood learning and education purchasing decisions (budget timing, procurement and RFPs, and public funding streams), highly desired.
- Demonstrated experience in product marketing, brand building, go-to-market planning, customer segmentation, and positioning.
- Sales experience or substantial hands-on collaboration with sales teams on acquisition, enablement, and revenue goals.
- Track record sourcing and closing partnership, channel, or distribution deals.
- Practical expertise in media relations, public relations, SEO, GEO, website management, marketing automation, CRM systems, and analytics.
- Strong writing and science communication skills for marketing and PR, with the ability to explain educational offerings clearly and accurately, including translating research and assessment evidence into accurate messaging for educators and families.
- Technical confidence to operate day-to-day marketing systems independently, without routine reliance on an agency or developer.
- Active use of AI for building marketing campaigns, research and execution; a true passion for the use of AI in marketing.
- Awareness of student and children's data privacy considerations in marketing (e.g., FERPA, COPPA) a plus.
- Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
How to Apply
Submit your resume to [email protected]. Include examples of relevant marketing work and one specific example describing the AI tools you use, how and when you use them, and how they have improved productivity while maintaining quality. Please avoid including confidential information in work samples.