Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

Roland Park Country School, a K-12 independent girls’ school, seeks a Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing. This position is a twelve month position that reports directly to the Chief Institutional Advancement Officer and is responsible for the School’s marketing, communications and branding initiatives. The Director of Strategic Communications works closely with the Enrollment Management and Advancement Offices to oversee and provide strategic direction for all marketing campaigns.

The Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing's responsibilities include:

Strategy:

• Leads the communications department’s marketing, branding and communications strategies to engage and attract prospective and current families, as well as provide compelling updates and clear, effective communications to alumnae, faculty and staff, and friends of RPCS.
• Works with Admissions and Auxiliary Programs to continually produce, execute and evaluate all institutional marketing and advertising campaigns.
  • Collaborate with the Admissions and Advancement offices to align communications strategies with institutional goals and objectives. increase of enrollment numbers (of both new and returning students).
• Collaborates with Advancement to plan, launch, and evaluate campaigns for the Annual Fund, community events, and alumnae activities.
• Responsible for protecting, promoting and preserving the reputation of the institution.
• Maintains adherence to brand guidelines across all programs and materials; proactively monitors quality control internally and externally.
• Supports division and department leaders in developing messaging to ensure alignment with the School’s strategic communications efforts.
• Provides strategic vision and leads rollout efforts for special projects, such as school anniversaries, strategic plans, capital campaigns, etc.
• Works with School leadership to anticipate, develop, and implement crisis communication strategies, as needed.
• Actively assesses and gathers a pulse on industry trends, local market patterns to brainstorm innovative and forward-thinking marketing/communications ideas.
• Proactively brings strategic perspective and input to the Head of School and the Leadership Team.

Operations:

• Monitors and shapes responses for time sensitive decisions and/or changes that need to be communicated internally.
• Oversees continuous updates for RPCS website - timely and relevant updates happen within each academic school year and by the start of each academic year
• Oversees strategy and execution on social media approach and platform operations
• Oversees and serves as lead writer of annual printed magazine, bi-weekly internal digital communication with families, quarterly digital community newsletter, advertising, invitations, and programs.
• Works with the Head of School to produce presentations, materials/letters for school mailings, speeches and publications.
• Maintains responsibility for community relations and all aspects of public relations; establishes and maintains relationships with the media and monitors media coverage.
• Facilitates campus visits for reporters, photographers, and TV crews.
• Helps to facilitate the sourcing of graphic design for publications, advertising, invitations, programs, etc.
• Oversees team members’ execution of photography and video associated with web and social media; oversees video recordings for the Performing Arts department.
• Manages professional photography and video as needed.
• Provides support (editing and distribution) of the school handbooks.
• Manages budget for all Communication expenses.
• Oversees the work responsibilities of each Communications team member and provides constructive feedback in assessing the growth and performance of each team member.

WORK CONDITIONS:

• The Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing is a 12 month exempt position.
• The individual in this position is expected to work during all hours as may be assigned by the School as well as other hours for events and activities.
• The Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing is expected to perform their job duties on campus, unless otherwise permitted by the Head of School.

COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE: In accordance with Maryland's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, we are committed to providing transparent wage information for all posted job opportunities. The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $120,000 annually. Compensation is determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

BENEFITS AND ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION: Additionally, this position includes a comprehensive benefits package and other forms of compensation, including:

• Employer-provided health benefits: medical insurance, dental and vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, mental health support services, wellness program, free access to fitness center onsite, and free lunch daily.
• Paid time off for full time and full time reduced employees: vacation days (for 12 month employees), sick leave, personal days, winter break and spring break based on school calendar schedule.
• Retirement plan: 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions (required minimum hours worked after 1 year of service.)

EOE STATEMENT: RPCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace, and all employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact Human Resources.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and assignments may change at any time with or without notice.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, marketing, communications or a related writing field, or equivalent combination of training and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• 8-10 years of experience. Experience in a K-12 education setting is preferred but not required. Marketing experience preferred.
• Ability to work closely, responsively, and collaboratively with others in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective management qualities that include active listening, encouraging collaboration, and providing guidance while also inspiring autonomy.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with audiences of varying ages and backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate widely with various constituencies throughout the school community.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with ability to communicate with colleagues, students, and parents professionally.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Established practice of working independently and collaboratively as part of a highly motivated team.
• Strong work ethic and high level of integrity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Remain in a stationary position, often sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Repeat motion of wrists, hands, and fingers to operate standard office equipment, such as a computer and phone.
• Requires visual acuity to read a variety of written materials.
• Physical agility: stand, kneel, walk, run, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, crouch, and respond to emergencies.
• Must be able to move around and access all parts of the campus upon request, which includes gym, turf, fields, dining hall, etc.
• Occasionally ascend and descend stairs in emergency situations.