The Communications Manager is a full-time, 12-month position reporting to the Director of Advancement & Communications and is responsible for the coordination and execution of the comprehensive communications & marketing program for St. James’ Episcopal School.

The broad purpose of the communications program is to enhance the School’s profile and to deliver the School’s messages to its various constituencies (e.g. families, prospective families, past families, alumni, students, faculty and friends of the school). The communications program is considerably focused on recruitment and branding with respect to prospective and current families and framing a persuasive, consistent and exciting narrative for the school’s advancement initiatives. Specific responsibilities include:

• Implementing a communications plan for the School, including internal and external communications, with content outlines and deadlines
• Develop, write and edit articles for the School’s quarterly magazine, The Herald, and/or other school publications as needed
• Oversee production and copy-editing of all school publications (e.g. The Herald, the Annual Report of Gifts, faculty and student handbooks, the yearbook, school calendar, various brochures, invitations and flyers, etc.)
• Write and edit the school’s weekly Husky Hits newsletter to families and staff
• Develop and maintain a “style guide” to ensure a unified presentation of all communication materials (print and electronic) produced by the School
• Act as manager of the school website; compile and edit content weekly to ensure accuracy and timeliness of information
• Recommend website improvements and areas for creative expansion
• Manage and create content and design of all school email letters and related communications to current families, alumni and other constituents; these are often time sensitive and need to be completed at short notice
• Maintain a social media presence and ensure all posts accurately reflect St. James Episcopal School; review social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) and trends to ensure the School is up to date and current
• Coordinate design and copy for annual school calendar
• Collaborate with Director of Advancement for the production of all advancement materials including annual appeals, newsletters and other publications
• Oversee the printing process to ensure quality control and timely deliveries
• Collaborate with Director of Advancement and other members of Advancement team on all aspects of production of the annual report of gifts; and communication plan relating to the school’s” friend- raising” and fundraising initiatives
• Collaborate with Director of Admissions to revise and produce admissions materials and to produce and place advertising in local media and independent school directories

• Collaborate with other SJSLA administrators and educators to identify mission-aligned stories, program highlights and marketing opportunities
• Produce, coordinate design and text for annual teaching & learning philosophy
• Provide proofing and editing assistance for all administrative departments when necessary.

General:

• As a member of the advancement team, will assist as needed with support for all advancement and family events
• With the Advancement Director, staff the parent association executive committee and the Advancement Committee
• Assist the Director of Advancement and/or the Head of School as needed
• Assist other areas of school life as necessary
• Some evening and weekend hours are required

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience as a communications manager or director
• Expertise in graphic design and website management
• Experience with Blackbaud, Razor’s Edge and Finalsite
• Proficiency with design programs
• Experience creating and publishing web pages and e-mail communications
• Demonstrate ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining a sense of humor
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Fastidious attention to detail, excellence with grammar
• Excellent and confident writer
• Growth-minded
• Works well with a team

St. James’ offers a very generous health care plan, pension plan, professional development and vacation and sick leave.

Candidates interested in this position may email a cover letter and resume to careers@sjsla.org, Attn: Jules Leyser, Interim Director of Advancement & Communications. Please use the subject line “Communications Manager”.