Vice President of Analyst & Influencer Relations

Together we are powering the future of Higher Education

Here at Ellucian, we are motivated by a mission ~ the power of education to transform lives and change the world. We are the global market leader in EdTech for Higher Education, serving more than 2,700 customers and reaching over 26 million students in 50+ countries. We are dedicated to helping Higher Ed thrive by transforming their institutions to agile, digitally connected campuses that enable student success.

About The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Strategy & Development Officer, the Vice President of Analyst and Influencer Relations will be the primary liaison between Ellucian executives and industry analysts, associations, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. This is a critical role that will increase awareness of the company’s products, services, and strategy externally while serving as a key information resource for company leadership. You will collaborate internally with senior leaders, including Sales, Customer Experience, Marketing, Strategy, Legal, and Finance to identify target audiences and review current positioning, determine gaps, and make recommendations to continually and positively influence perceptions of the brand among and through influencers.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who has demonstrated successful results building or leading an analyst and influencer relations or communications function, including creating the strategy, building relationships externally, and closely partnering internally with senior leadership to achieve results.

Where you will make an impact

• Form a deep understanding of Ellucian’s corporate strategy, industry, and competitive landscape to help shape and elevate the company’s profile and reputation with analysts and influential higher education organizations
• Build, maintain and manage relationships with industry analysts, associations, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks
• Research existing company relationships, positioning, and gaps; make recommendations for and lead efforts to achieve desired outcomes relative to how Ellucian is perceived by influencers and how influencers portray Ellucian to the market
• Develop and lead a comprehensive strategy and plan that effectively positions Ellucian’s market-leading technology solutions with analysts, associations, and other influencers
• Collaborate with company executives across functions, including Product, Strategy, Sales, Customer Experience and Marketing, to create an outreach calendar and appropriate content for external audiences and stakeholders
• Work with the Marketing team on sponsorship opportunities for various industry events
• Respond to information requests in collaboration with company experts; assess and share key findings/reports/other relevant information with senior leadership
• Schedule and facilitate briefings, including the preparation of thorough briefing materials
• Identify and secure key influencers to participate in company events, as needed
• Secure quotes for external communications efforts as needed
• Work independently and communicate directly with senior leadership
• Conduct “rapid response” to alert senior leaders about relevant news announcements and reports originating from analysts, associations, and other influencers, including written summaries and memos/briefs
• Attend industry conferences and events as needed
  

What You Will Bring

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a corporation or government affairs role or a strategy role, with particular focus on issues concerning higher education and technology valued
• Experience must include interfacing with industry analysts, associations, non-governmental organizations and think tanks; large technology analyst experience a plus
• Proven track record of building a comprehensive strategy for engagement with analysts, associations, non-governmental organizations, and other influencers
• Knowledge of higher education technology landscape, including global higher education
• Ability to collaborate across multiple business operations, including globally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential
• Strong interpersonal skills and executive presence, including experience interfacing with senior executives internally and externally
• Self-starter who is comfortable working in a remote setting
• Candidates with multi-lingual and international experience a plus
  

What makes #Ellucianlife

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible time off
• Thrive Flex Program that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
• 401k w/ match & Bright Plan - to help you save for the future
• Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Charitable leave – 40 hours/year
• Telemedicine
• Wellness
  • Ginger (mental health)
  • Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
• Rethink – caregiver support
• Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to 11 internal employee resource groups
• Tuition Reimbursement Assistance
• Professional development opportunities
  

Additional Information

Req ID: 5165

Hiring Type

Level of Experience: Executive

Remote: Yes

Travel Required: 0%-25%