Director of communications

Summary:

The Director of Communications designs and implements the strategic marketing and communications vision for The Fenn School with the goal of engaging constituents and advancing institutional objectives in program, admissions, and development. The Director of Communications is responsible for providing strategic leadership– including long and short-term planning –in the areas of communications, marketing, social media, public relations, publications and the website. He/she oversees and works closely with the Director of Marketing to create and cultivate content for Fenn’s website and social media presence.  The Director of Communications effectively schedules and executes the School’s day-to-day communications outreach. As the Fenn’s primary writer/editor, he/she ensures a consistent message and uniform appearance in all of the School’s outreach. He/she reports to the Director of Advancement. This is a full-time, twelve-month position with some evening and weekend hours.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement a communications/marketing plan incorporating consistent themes that support the School’s strategic plan/initiatives and priorities
• Manage­– with stakeholders –the School’s communications messaging to consistently reflect and convey its established identity and mission
• Supervise the Director of Marketing
• Chair the Editorial Board for the “FENN” biannual magazine and develops content and themes in collaboration with its members
• Write all content for the “FENN” biannual magazine (January and June) and the Report of Giving (October); coordinate design, photography, and printing for each of the publications
• Interview community members for profiles that will be used in either printed or electronic communications
• Work with the Headmaster on communication needs
• Collaborate with Director of Admissions in the production of all admissions materials and messaging
• Serve as an active member of the Advancement team to support donor messaging and communication efforts
• Edit and help produce the weekly “Friday Fenn” electronic newsletter
• Attend and photograph selected on- and off-campus events
• Write and disseminate articles/press releases to send to area newspapers and online news outlets
• Oversee the management of Fenn’s photo archives
• Serve as the on-campus editor for a variety of publication needs, be it electronic or printed materials
• Serve as the primary writer and editor for weekly online website stories

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3-5 years of proven experience in a relevant area of marketing, communications, and/or advancement, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting 
• Superb writing and editing skills
• Strong leadership/management and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to collaborate with faculty and staff is essential
• Self-confident, enthusiastic, collaborative, and professional leader
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to be a self-starter and independent worker
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and complex tasks and projects within stated schedules and with hard deadlines
• Excellent computer skills,  and ability to use a content management system for website purposes; social media platform versatility, and knowledge of current desktop publishing software, preferably Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop/Lightroom
• Photography skills a plus

Interested parties should submit electronically to Veronica Jorge-Curtis, Director of Advancement, a letter of interest, a resume, and professional references. Receipt of materials will be acknowledged via email. Interested candidates are asked not contact the School once applicant materials have been submitted.