Manager, Figma for Education
Job description
About the role
Figma is seeking an International Go-to-Market Lead to spearhead the expansion of our education initiatives into India, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia. You will build our international strategy from the ground up, managing regional leads and establishing key partnerships within the education sector. In this role, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of education market entry, defining the positioning, messaging, and operational framework that will allow Figma to become the standard design platform for educational institutions in these regions. You are a hands-on strategist who will translate high-level corporate objectives into concrete, executable plans for local teams, ensuring that every initiative aligns with Figma's global brand and product vision. This position requires a rare blend of entrepreneurial thinking and disciplined execution, as you navigate different regulatory environments and cultural nuances to drive sustainable adoption. You will be accountable for setting the narrative around design education and demonstrating how Figma empowers the next generation of creators. Ultimately, your work will directly influence how millions of students and educators experience collaborative design.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Create and implement go-to-market strategies for K-12, higher education, and bootcamp segments in target international markets.
- Recruit, oversee, and mentor a team of regional education leads across India, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia.
- Establish scalable workflows for customer onboarding, sales, and support to ensure a consistent user experience.
- Build and maintain partnerships with university leadership, education boards, and bootcamp operators to secure long-term agreements.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Legal departments to ensure regional compliance and messaging consistency across all channels.
- Launch community-focused programs designed to increase brand awareness and foster active user engagement among educators and students.
- Analyze performance data to track adoption rates, retention, and overall market impact, using insights to refine strategies.
- Represent Figma at international conferences and industry speaking events to elevate the brand and generate demand.
- Develop localized content and training materials that resonate with distinct educational cultures and learning preferences.
- Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, providing data-driven recommendations for future expansion beyond the initial regions.
- Coordinate cross-functional initiatives to align product development with the needs of international education users.
- Drive the creation of case studies and success stories that highlight the impact of Figma in educational settings.
- Manage budget allocation and resource planning to maximize the return on investment for regional programs.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for key education partners, ensuring their strategic priorities are addressed.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in go-to-market strategy, international expansion, education sales, business operations, partnerships, or program management.
- Proven success in scaling products or programs from inception to launch in new markets, with a track record of achieving or exceeding targets.
- Deep understanding of the education landscape, including the dynamics of K-12, higher education, and bootcamp ecosystems.
- Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with school administrators, government entities, and industry partners in diverse cultural contexts.
- Capacity to thrive in ambiguous environments, making informed decisions and producing results without existing playbooks or clear precedent.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
- Demonstrated experience managing remote teams and leading distributed initiatives across multiple time zones.
- Commitment to adhering to Figma's policies and procedures, ensuring that all activities are conducted with integrity and professionalism.
Nice to have
- Background in high-growth tech companies or startups, where agility and rapid iteration are essential.
- Experience in education marketing or community development, with a proven ability to build engaged user groups.
- Knowledge of international education compliance and legal requirements that govern data privacy and institutional procurement.
- Fluency in Hindi, Portuguese, or other relevant languages to facilitate deeper connections with local stakeholders.
- Prior experience working with design and creative software tools, providing credibility with the target audience.
- A history of launching successful events or webinars that generate leads and build community trust.
Practical notes
- Compensation includes equity, an annual bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits such as health, dental, vision, retirement contributions, and paid time off.
- Candidates must be willing to keep cameras on during video interviews to maintain a personal connection and ensure clear communication.
- New hires are required to attend in-person onboarding to immerse themselves in Figma's culture and processes.
- Figma is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities; inquiries can be sent to accommodations-ext@figma.com.