Growth Marketing Manager

About Extern

In today’s competitive job market, students and early-career professionals struggle to gain the real-world experience and connections needed to stand out. Extern is on a mission to change that. We provide accessible, remote Externships that equip individuals with meaningful work experience, industry skills, and the confidence to take the next step in their careers.

Extern has enrolled over 50,000 students in Externships over the past three years on behalf of startups and Fortune 1000 brands, including PwC, Home Depot, National Geographic, AT&T, Expedia, Beats by Dre, HSBC, Macquarie, The Nature Conservancy, HP Tech Ventures, and more.

At Extern, we believe in:

1. Empowerment: Equipping students with the tools to take charge of their career paths.
2. Accessibility: Breaking down barriers so that anyone, regardless of background, can gain work experience.
3. Inclusion: Creating opportunities and fostering a community where everyone feels supported.
4. Resilience: Helping students build the grit to succeed in today’s competitive job market.
5. Real Experience: Providing opportunities that prepare students for the realities of professional environments.
6. Authenticity: Remaining transparent and practical in the guidance and opportunities we offer.

About the Role

Extern is at a pivotal moment, and we’re looking for a Growth Marketing Manager to help us scale our impact. This is an opportunity to lead growth at a mission-driven startup, crafting the systems and strategies that will define our success for years to come. You’ll develop and execute a multi-channel growth plan that drives member acquisition, engagement, and retention—all while helping to make professional experience accessible to more students.

We’re looking for a strategic thinker who thrives in ambiguity, loves data, and has the creativity to experiment with innovative growth mechanisms. This role is perfect for someone who’s excited about both leading strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute. You’ll work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to shape Extern’s growth trajectory and make a direct impact on our mission of empowering economic mobility.

What you will do:

• Lead Growth Strategy: Collaborate with leadership to define and own Extern’s growth marketing strategy, focusing on scalable member acquisition, engagement, and retention. Utilize both organic channels and growth loops to achieve measurable outcomes.
• Run Multi-Channel Campaigns: Develop and execute high-impact campaigns across social media, email, partnerships, and community programs, ensuring alignment with Extern’s mission and goals.
• Build and Scale Referral Programs: Revamp Extern’s referral program (called the Pioneers Program) to drive word-of-mouth growth. Collaborate with alumni to create scalable community engagement initiatives.
• Know Our Customer: Engage in user interviews and community conversations to deeply understand our members. Use these insights to inform strategies that resonate with our audience
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Track, analyze, and optimize growth performance metrics (CAC, LTV, churn, etc.). Use data insights to refine strategies and pivot when necessary.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product, operations, learning and development, and marketing to align growth initiatives with broader company goals. Advocate for our members in every decision.
• Experiment with Growth Loops: Design and execute growth loops and self-reinforcing acquisition mechanisms. Build strategies that leverage virality, community-driven initiatives, and referrals to create sustainable growth.
• Drive Measurable Impact: Ensure all growth strategies are tied to Extern’s business objectives, from user acquisition to community engagement to retention.

What We Are Looking For:

• Must-Haves:
  • 5+ years of full-time professional experience in growth marketing, digital marketing, or a related field.
  • Proven experience managing and scaling acquisition and retention efforts across digital channels.
  • Strong expertise in lifecycle marketing and driving engagement while reducing churn.
  • Analytical mindset with experience tracking and optimizing performance metrics like CAC, LTV, and churn.
  • Excellent communication skills with a strong eye for compelling visual content (e.g., landing pages, presentations).
  • Creativity and strategic thinking to solve complex growth challenges in innovative ways.
  • A collaborative, entrepreneurial spirit; you thrive in ambiguity and wear multiple hats with ease.
  • Passion for education, equity, and workforce mobility.
  • Legal authorization to work in the U.S. and the ability to work remotely in the U.S.
• Nice-to-Haves:
  • Experience in a startup environment, particularly with subscription-based, edtech, or consumer products.
  • Familiarity with building or contributing to growth loops, referral mechanisms, and viral acquisition strategies.
  • 3+ years of experience specifically executing growth marketing.

Why Join Extern?

• Make a Meaningful Impact: Help students gain the professional experience they need to launch their careers.
• Shape Extern’s Growth: Play a pivotal role in building the systems and strategies that will drive Extern’s success.
• Collaborate with Leadership: Work closely with a passionate team committed to our mission of economic mobility.
• Innovate at Scale: Experiment with cutting-edge growth strategies and frameworks in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
• Be Part of the Mission: Join a company where your work will directly contribute to closing opportunity gaps and fostering inclusion.

Compensation:

$95,000 - $130,000 / year plus stock options aligned with Extern’s stage as a pre-Series A startup