Education Program Advisor & Strategic Consultant

Position Title: Education Program Advisor & Strategic ConsultantCompensation: $75,000-$90,000FSLA/Position Type: Full-Time -Salary (Exempt)Reports To: Client Experience DirectorPosition Summary:The Education Program Advisor & Strategic Consultant serves as a key member of Güd Marketing’s client experience team — bringing deep knowledge of education programs, systems, and student realities to help shape communication strategies that inspire real connection and measurable change. This role supports clients across the education and workforce development space, including state departments, foundations, and nonprofit coalitions.The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with initiatives like Sixty by 30, early childhood and post-secondary education programs, or wraparound support services. They understand the complex barriers learners face — from affordability to access — and know how to craft communication and outreach strategies creating awareness and connecting communities to resources, from early childhood education to post-secondary student and beyond. The Education Program Advisor & Strategic Consultant partners with Account Managers and internal teams to translate research and strategic thinking into bold, actionable strategies.This person is a bridge builder, a skilled communicator and strategic problem solver who is passionate about helping people overcome barriers. Job Duties andResponsibilities:• Embody the Güd Marketing values — care, curious, driven, embrace differences, do the right thing, can-do attitude. • Serve as a strategic thought partner: Bring real-world education program experience to bear in helping clients — particularly in the public sector — translate goals into clear, actionable strategies that reflect the needs of learners.• Develop strategic plans: Guide the development of long-term roadmaps that help clients advance programs and initiatives aligned with student success, equity, and access. • Center the audience in every recommendation: Keep students, families, and adult learners at the heart of every engagement, grounding recommendations in empathy, insights, and understanding of barriers. • Advise on outreach and messaging strategies: Ensure internal and external communications resonate with the people clients aim to reach.• Facilitate client workshops and discovery sessions: Lead sessions that uncover client priorities, align internal teams, and generate momentum around shared education and workforce goals. • Support and align internal teams: Collaborate with account, creative, research, and media teams to ensure all work reflects client strategy and is tailored to audience realities. • Mentor others on education issues: Offer guidance, perspective, and lived experience to help internal teams better understand the landscape and challenges of education and workforce development.Accountable for:• Setting and stewarding the strategic direction for assigned clients. • Elevating the agency’s role as a trusted thought partner for executive-level decision-makers. • Ensuring research and insights are translated into actionable, long-term strategies. • Inspiring Account Managers and internal teams to deliver work that reflects the strategy. Education &Experience:• 5 - 7+ years working in education, workforce development, nonprofit programming, or related fields. • Bachelor's degree (Master’s preferred) in education, public policy, social work, public administration, or a related field.• Experience with state-wide initiatives like Sixty by 30, or familiarity with K–12, post-secondary, or career-focused pathways. • Demonstrated ability to guide cross-functional teams, ask the right questions, and build alignment. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills — able to translate complexity into clarity. Additional Skills & Knowledge:• Exceptional ability to synthesize data and research into clear strategic direction. • Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.• A synthesizer who thrives in ambiguity, using logic, empathy, and insight to create clarity. • An advisor — not a vendor — who builds trust and alignment with decision-makers. • A strong presenter and facilitator who can guide strategy with or without a slide deck. • Equally comfortable discussing brand frameworks and grant reporting. • Driven by values, committed to equity, and passionate about systems that serve people. Travel & Work Environment:• Hybrid remote/in-office with occasional travel for strategic meetings, presentations, or workshops.• Mileage reimbursed where applicable. Benefits:• Hybrid work schedule• Up to 144 hours of PTO during the first year• 9 paid holidays• Professional development fund ($1,000/year)• 401(k) matching• Medical and vision insurance (100% coverage for employees, with options for dependent coverage)• Company-funded employee dental insurance• Generous profit sharing• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)About Güd MarketingGüd Marketing is a comprehensive and integrated marketing firm. Established in 1978, we are one of the oldest and largest marketing agencies in Mid-Michigan, serving the Midwest and beyond.The team at Güd Marketing is curious, driven and caring. We celebrate differences, do the right thing and embrace a can-do attitude. Through research and diversity of thought, we create insightful strategies designed to enhance the communications goals of the organizations we serve. We distill this information into compelling messages that educate, inspire and move people to create strong, safe, healthy and welcoming communities. To learn more, visit www.GudMarketing.com. Güd Marketing embraces diversity in all its forms and prides itself on creating a fully inclusive and welcoming environment for our team.We strongly encourage minorities, women, LGBTQ persons and those with disabilities to apply. Güd Marketing provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements. Güd Marketing complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and/or training. Apply tot his job