Director of Communications

Working closely with the Director of Development and other department heads, the Director of Communications is responsible for planning and implementation of all communications activities, including strategic marketing, publications planning and production, media relations, advertising planning, and media buying.  The Director of Communications is also the School?s Webmaster, responsible for content management for the School?s website.

 

Essential Functions:

? Creates and implements annual strategic communications plan to help achieve long-range goals of the School consistently, effectively, and within the limits of the budget;

? Publications planning and creation, including quarterly newsletter, annual report, Viewbook, and other Development- and Admissions-related materials.  Provides publication production support for all School departments.  Writer and editor of many School publications and materials.

? Plans and manages all media relations activities, serving as primary media liaison for the School; maintaining press database; writing press releases; and placing feature stories and editorials, as appropriate, in local, regional, and national media;

? Plans and coordinates advertising and media buying to help the School achieve its goals for visibility and recruitment;

? With Assistant Director of Development, plans and executes all promotional activities surrounding fundraising events and other special events;

? Serves as Web Master for the School, ensuring that the School?s website is continuously updated and accurately reflects the mission and activities of the School;

? Hires and coordinates appropriate vendors, including graphic designers, printers, mail houses, videographers, and photographers, as necessary;

? Other tasks and duties, as assigned.

 

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

? Bachelor of Arts in Communications

? Five years communications management experience

? Extensive computer skills (graphic design and web design software)

? Excellent written and verbal communication skills

? Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and diplomacy skills

? A demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team

? A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines under pressure

? An ability to work some flexible hours as necessary, including some evenings for special events

 

Specialty Skills and Knowledge Preferred:

? Professional nonprofit public relations experience preferred

? Experience in or knowledge of independent schools preferred

 

St. Andrew?s School is a nonsectarian, coeducational, college prep boarding and day school for students in grades six through twelve, and features an individualized, multi-sensory approach to teaching, small classes, and students from all over the country and the world.  The School is committed to ensuring that at least 40% of our students who demonstrate need receive financial aid; the result is a student body that is economically and culturally diverse.  In 2000-2001, St. Andrew?s was a pilot partner?one of only a handful chosen?in the implementation of UNC-Chapel Hill researcher Dr. Mel Levine?s nationally recognized Schools Attuned program at the high school level.  Schools Attuned trains teachers to identify students? individual learning styles in order to help them maximize their strengths.  Because of our partnership, and because of the deep integration of shared principles with the Schools Attuned program, St. Andrew?s was named in February 2002 one of eight ?Exemplary Schools? nationwide?and the only high school?for our commitment to and excellence in a multi-sensory approach to teaching for the different ways that students learn.