| The Northwest School is a college-preparatory, co-educational independent school near the heart of downtown Seattle. We offer a rich and challenging program to roughly 450 students in grades 6 through 12, including international students, many of whom live in our campus dormitory. The Northwest School is committed to a diverse and equitable workplace and expects applicants to have a commitment to diversity and social justice. We firmly believe that we are a richer, more creative and dynamic institution when our collective is built with a diverse set of community members. The Northwest School strives for its faculty and student body to reflect the diversity of the society in which they exist. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. The Northwest School seeks a Director of Communications & Marketing who leads all internal and external communications and lead’s the School’s brand development and strategy, marketing efforts, public relations, web content and development, and creative design.
The department centrally supports the communication needs of our divisions and departments to ensure that all messaging reflects our values, brand, reputation, and community in a clear and vibrant way. The Director plays a leading role in marketing to prospective families, employees, donors, and promoting the good works and stories of the School to key external audiences. The Director is a key member of the Administration.
Essential Functions:
- The Director serves a key leadership role in initiating and implementing marketing and communications projects and media/public relations efforts that keep the School’s internal and external constituencies informed, and enhances the overall image and awareness of the school, as well as student and faculty recruitment and fundraising activities.
- Work with School leadership and a diverse set of stakeholders to ensure that the School’s key messages are reflected in all communications, publications, and events, strategically highlighting work that promotes our mission and values, as articulated in the school’s strategic plan.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual strategic and comprehensive communications and marketing plan that advances the School’s values. Initiate and lead strategic marketing efforts to define brand, marketing messages, and positioning statements.
- Work closely with key colleagues to assess upcoming projects and activities and advise on editorial content, timing, content flow, and messaging integration. Activities could include but are not limited to print and web-based newsletters/blog postings, invitations, and announcements, with a particular emphasis on reinforcing the school’s core mission and values. Collaborates with community members to ensure individual communications are consistent with the School strategy and brand.
- Create, produce, and edit communication materials/campaigns (print, online, video, social media, etc.) for audiences including prospective families and students, current families, alumni, donors, partners, foundations, the media, and the general public, sometimes using external vendors.
- Ensure all messages are clear, compelling, and differentiating.
- Prepare or edit correspondence on behalf of the Head of School and other administrators, including but not limited to: publication messages, letters, speeches and talking points, lectures, and other key correspondence.
- Lead efforts around internal communications activities that inform and unify our faculty, students, and families.
- Manage crisis communications needs in collaboration with appropriate School leadership in a manner that reflects our values.
- Serve as editor of the School’s publications, most notably an alumni magazine. Develop a content plan, and provide oversight of all writing, editing, design, and production. Ensure that this publication reflects the School’s core mission and values, both in terms of the subjects covered and the language that is used.
- Independently develop regular news releases and draft articles about specific activities, events, research, and accomplishments in the School, disseminate to the media, and act as part of the media contact process.
- Develop a strategy to grow social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and other social media sites as user trends evolve.
- Select, hire, and manage vendors and contractors across multiple disciplines including graphic design firms, public relations, advertising and marketing firms, freelance writers, photographers, event design, production vendors, and more as needed.
- Serves as a back-up for website updates.
|
