The Email & Marketing Automation Manager leads the strategy, execution, optimization, and performance of NAIS’s email marketing and marketing automation initiatives. This role is responsible for developing data-informed, audience-centered campaigns that drive engagement, membership growth, event participation, new product adoption, and long-term audience retention across the organization. The manager partners closely with marketing, membership, content, research, and program teams to create sophisticated audience journeys, scalable automation strategies, and integrated digital campaigns that deliver personalized and relevant member experiences.
This position requires a strong combination of strategic marketing expertise, technical proficiency with enterprise marketing automation platforms, audience segmentation and analytics experience, and the ability to translate organizational priorities into measurable engagement outcomes.
Responsibilities
Lead the strategic planning, development, execution, and optimization of email marketing and marketing automation campaigns aligned with organizational goals.
Oversee the configuration, administration, and optimization of enterprise marketing automation and email marketing platform.
Build and maintain automated workflows, triggered campaigns, lead nurturing journeys, behavioral targeting, and dynamic content experiences.
Effectively communicate and collaborate with staff, senior leaders, executives, and cross-organizational teams to carry out email campaigns.
Participate in strategic planning of email marketing campaigns including target audience identification, scheduling and calendar management, and engagement and reengagement strategies.
Use email and/or marketing automation system to create, edit, and update multiple ongoing campaigns daily.
Manage the planning, creation, optimization, segmentation strategy, and template setup for email campaigns to ensure strong deliverability, accessibility, brand alignment, visual effectiveness, and consistent rendering across devices and email clients.
Work with different teams to write and review copy, develop graphics and digital ads, and identify other digital assets to create compelling and engaging communications.
Manage and maintain the email review process by effectively communicating deadlines, sending reminders, sharing updates, and ensuring timely delivery of all emails.
Test and review all email campaigns prior to send, including A/B testing, to optimize email open and conversion rates.
Leverage A/B testing, analytics, and performance reporting to continuously improve engagement, conversion rates, and campaign effectiveness.
Translate campaign data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for leadership and internal stakeholders.
Collaborate with internal technology and data teams to support API integrations, CRM alignment, data synchronization, and marketing automation enhancements.
Maintain knowledge of emerging digital marketing trends, AI enabled personalization, email marketing best practices, strategies, and industry standards,
Develop monthly and quarterly reports on campaign metrics, key findings, and other observations.
Serve as a strategic advisor and resource to internal teams on email marketing strategy, audience engagement, and digital communication effectiveness.
Skills/Experience
Significant experience managing digital and email marketing and marketing automation programs in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated experience with enterprise email and marketing automation platforms and/or marketing automation software such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Hubspot, Marketo, Pardot, Campaign Monitor or similar systems.
Experience developing audience segmentation strategies, lifecycle campaigns, lead nurturing journeys, and personalized digital experiences.
Outstanding copywriting and copyediting skills
Photoshop, InDesign, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Canva or similar creative tools experience highly desirable
Working knowledge of HTML/CSS for email development and troubleshooting.
Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
Video-conference applications such as Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams
Project-management tools such as ClickUp, Asana, or similar
Core Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Aligns digital engagement strategies with organizational priorities and audience needs.
Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates strong capability with marketing automation platforms, integrations, analytics tools, and digital technologies.
Initiative: Proactively anticipates needs, identifies risks and opportunities, and takes ownership of improving email strategy, processes, and execution with timely, accurate follow-through.
Visual/Creativity: Understands and applies current email marketing trends, visual strategy, brand standards, and design best practices to create compelling, accessible, and engagement-focused emails.
Collaboration Skills: Develops and manages relationships to carry out work assignments and achieve department goals. Works cooperatively with others toward common goals/objectives and utilizes tactfulness, diplomacy, and ethical behavior.
Teamwork and Cultural Competence: Promotes cooperation and commitment within the team; seeks input from others, helps others achieve goals and deliverables, and shows consideration for and respect for individual differences. Actively listens, demonstrating an elevated level of empathy, and using effective engagement skills to help create a welcoming environment and establish the appreciation of similarities and differences among cultures.
Problem-Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in team problem-solving situations.
Adaptability: Adjusts to circumstances and environments and to people’s diverse work styles.
Technical Capacity: Adapts to new technology when needed.
Requirements
Minimum of 5+ years of work experience in mass email communications and/or marketing automation tools.
Bachelor’s degree and/or certification in a related field.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to handle multiple tasks/activities simultaneously while maintaining quality.
Ability to work efficiently, independently, and as part of a team; to communicate regularly; and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; able to adapt and learn new software and web-based systems.
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Disclaimer: This document describes the position currently available. It is not an employment contract. NAIS reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time, as determined by the needs of the organization.
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to unlocking the extraordinary potential in students, independent schools, and their communities. We provide services to more than 2,000 schools and associations of schools in the United States and internationally. While our member schools are self-determining in mission and program and governed by independent boards, NAIS supports school leaders at all levels, including heads of school, school administrators, trustees, and faculty, with the data, research, resources, and professional learning that allow them to perform their roles at the highest levels—and ultimately, help students flourish.
