Responsibilities

• In partnership with Admissions, Advancement, and other school departments, planning and executing an integrated marketing and communications strategy that reinforces Pingree’s reputation as a leading independent day school in its market while forwarding its mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Proactively collaborating with the head of school and senior administrators to craft and disseminate key messages. (Director of Communications participates in drafting communications, speeches, press releases, and presentation materials as necessary.)
• Setting the school’s editorial content strategy and leading the development of timely and informative written, visual, and multimedia content for internal and external audiences across communications vehicles (e.g. Pingree Magazine and the weekly e-newsletter; website news and content; video productions; online profiles; and social media).
• Managing the production of marketing and communications projects, including but not limited to print and digital publications, press releases, event collateral, admission materials, multimedia content, and advancement outreach.
• Responsible for ensuring that all external communications vehicles are accurate and up to date.
• Serving as the keeper of Pingree’s brand, ensuring that brand identity, messaging, and marketing and communications strategy are accurate and consistent across all organizational efforts.
• Overseeing Pingree’s media and public relations efforts, promoting awareness of the school, its programs and events, and the accomplishments of its students and faculty. Director of Communications serves as the school’s primary media contact and internal crisis communications officer.
• Stewards the Communications and Marketing budget, including tracking, reporting, and planning for short and long-term departmental priorities.
• Participates on committees and task forces as appropriate. Oversees departmental staffing and support through the management of a small internal team (Creative Content Manager and school photographer) and relationships with freelance vendors and suppliers.

Requirements

• Minimum 5–7 years experience in a communications/marketing role, with progressively more challenging and senior roles;
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field. Master’s degree preferred;
• In-depth knowledge of strategic marketing and communication concepts, principles, methodology and techniques. Strong understanding of design/branding principles and best practices;
• Demonstrated experience in composing content for varied contexts, platforms, and audiences. Impeccable copyediting and proof-reading skills required;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders across a highly engaged school community;
• Experience in social media, email marketing, and digital engagement best practices. Full proficiency leveraging social media communities such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms for business is required;
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, staying current with the latest advances, ideas and technologies in the field;
• Demonstrated proficiency in graphic design programs, including the Adobe Creative Suite and Canva. Proficiency with Google product suite required, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Analytics, and more. Experience with content management systems preferred;
• Proven project management skills, with capacity to excel at prioritizing and managing multiple concurrent projects while meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Self-motivated, goal-driven, and able to work independently as well as collaborate. Must have a strong work ethic; collegial, solutions-oriented attitude; and a sense of humor;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Creative and collaborative problem-solver;
• Appreciation for and commitment to Pingree School’s mission and core values;
• Schedule flexibility is required, as work outside of normal hours and/or travel may be required.