Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the Head of School, providing strategic counsel on executive communications, messaging, public relations, reputation management, and institutional positioning.
• Develop and lead an integrated communications and marketing strategy aligned with NDP’s strategic plan, institutional priorities, and mission to include digital advertising, SEO/AI search optimization, campaign strategy, marketing analytics, audience segmentation, and CRM collaboration.
• Partner closely with Admissions and Advancement leadership to strengthen enrollment, philanthropic engagement, constituent relations, and overall institutional visibility through coordinated communications and marketing efforts.
• Establish and maintain institutional messaging frameworks, editorial standards, and visual identity guidelines to ensure consistency across all communications.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of communications for internal and external audiences, including students, families, faculty, staff, alumnae, donors, and community partners.
• Serve as lead editor and strategic advisor for major institutional communications, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, and mission aligned.
• Lead crisis communications planning and response, ensuring timely, accurate, and thoughtful communication during sensitive or high-impact situations.
• Anticipate communication implications of strategic decisions, monitor emerging issues and reputational risks, and proactively recommend mitigation strategies.
• Strengthen and protect NDP’s reputation locally, regionally, and nationally through strategic storytelling, media engagement, and relationship building.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, external partners, and key community stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in strategic communications, marketing, public relations, independent schools, higher education, non-profit organizations, or other mission-driven organizations
• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance institutional goals, strengthen reputation, and drive engagement across diverse audiences
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messaging and maintain a strong, consistent brand across platforms
• Experience serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, with strong judgment, discretion, and expertise in media relations, reputation management, and crisis communications
• Experience supporting enrollment marketing, admissions strategy, fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, and constituent communications
• Strong understanding of digital communications, social media, content strategy, marketing analytics, and emerging communication trends
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage complex projects, balance competing priorities, and build collaborative partnerships across departments
• Strategic, mission-driven leader with the ability to navigate change thoughtfully while honoring institutional tradition and values
• Demonstrated cultural competence, excellent listening skills, and a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community

Preferred

• Master’s degree preferred
• Experience in an independent school, Catholic school, higher education institution, or other mission-driven organization preferred
• Demonstrated cultural competence, excellent listening skills, and a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community.

Benefits

• health insurance
• retirement contributions
• disability and life insurance
• generous paid time off