Director of Communications & Special Projects

National Child Research Center (NCRC), is a co-ed independent preschool located in the historic district of Cleveland Park, minutes from downtown Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1928, NCRC is the oldest continuously operating preschool in the District of Columbia.  

We are seeking an enthusiastic professional with experience in educational settings to be our Director of Communications & Special Projects (commencing Summer 2023).

The Director of Communications & Special Projects reports to the Head of School, and is a member of the school’s leadership team (the Administration). 

This is a multi-faceted and interdepartmental position, with a primary focus on communications, but includes collaboration with the Development Office, Admissions Office, and the Business Office.  For certain projects, the Director of Communications & Special Projects will work alongside the Head of School, the Director of Admissions, the Director of Development, and the CFO, designing, implementing, and refining systems which meet the needs of those offices, to the benefit of the whole school community.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in positions of school administration, have a keen interest in early childhood education and special education, and ideally have familiarity with independent school operations.  The candidate must be a strategic thinker and multitasker with the ability to synthesize and analyze data to develop plans and inform decision making.  S/he must have the ability to relate to and work closely with multiple school constituencies (staff and faculty, parents, children, neighbors, Trustees, alums, vendors).

The Director of Communications & Special Projects will play an active role in the day-to-day running of the school and is a dynamic and visible participant in the everyday functions of the school, and at special events.  This is a full-time position that may require participation in a number of school events and meetings beyond the school day. 

The Director of Communications & Special Projects may attend and participate in Board Committee meetings, such as the Communications Committee meetings and the Development Committee meetings.

Preferred start date: July 2023

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Collaborate with the Head of School, the Director of Development, and the Admissions Office on public relations, marketing, and communication strategies to create/produce communications materials to expand and enhance the school’s visibility and reputation, ensuring quality and consistency in the school’s communications, website, and social media.

Support the planning and execution of special events, including the annual Tuition Assistance Benefit. 

Support the maintenance and management of our CRM.

Support the coordination, scheduling and communication of PA events in collaboration with the Parent Association, Head of School, Director of Development, and Director of Operations.

Support the editing and dissemination of student records, and communication with faculty and with parents during the Ongoing Schools process in the fall.

Communications - Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Director of Communications & Special Projects provides support to optimize NCRC’s print and electronic communications.  The Director of Communications & Special Projects will work collaboratively with the Head of School, Development, and Admissions to ensure quality and consistency in the school’s communications, website, and social media.

• General Editing

Edits/reviews external communications, including (but not limited to) letters, newsletters, invitations, and emails

• Newsletters/Alerts/Reminders/Sign-ups

Created templates for digital newsletters

Edits, formats, and schedules internal and external newsletters and bulletins on a daily/weekly/monthly basis

• Manages Contact Lists

Creates and sends invitations and reminders for different school events

• Graphic Design

Creates content for communications, website, print using Adobe Creative Suite and Canva (for example)

• Alerts

In the event of school delays or closings, manages alerts on website, WTOP, mobile app, email, and social media

• Support for Admissions & Advancement Events/Comms

Works collaboratively with Admissions & Development offices to create separate content calendars and content in support of upcoming events/communications/strategy including ads, social media posts, communications, graphics

Attends events to take photos, help set-up, offer general support

• Website

Works collaboratively with relevant vendors in maintaining and managing school website, including updating and editing content and the appearance of website

Manages online forms

Manages updates as needed throughout the year

Manages communications and contact information through e-Notify on website

• Calendars

Assists in management of Google Calendars/Internal Master Calendar

Manage calendar feeds for website and app groups

• Mobile App

Maintains mobile app

Working with parent leaders and School Counselor to maximize use of Groups feature of app

• Logo Items

Works with Head of School and other Administrators to select logo items, manages inventory, and holds logo sales

• Photography

Manages photography use permissions

Takes photos throughout the school year around the school, in classrooms and playground, during events or themed weeks

Maintains and organizes photo drive

Work with and continue to identify photographers for annual school photographs, and who may assist in the creation of distinctive digital materials, and successfully manage working relationships with them, including by creating and meeting production schedules and budgets.

Coordinate production of the annual Yearbook

Business Office support and collaboration

• Support CFO with specific projects, which may include supporting aspects of Human Resources, including maintaining/editing the Faculty & Staff Handbook.

Ongoing Schools record-keeping and dissemination

Manages database to track students, applications, deadlines, and student reports

• Collects Student Information Forms for Head review prior to parent meetings
• Maintains constant communication with parents in person, by phone, and email
• Contacts schools to confirm deadlines for teacher recommendations
• Collects and manages requests for teacher recommendations and student reports within corresponding deadlines
• Informs/reminds teachers of all deadlines
• Sets internal deadlines for teaching teams; collects recommendations (checklists) and teacher narratives in a timely manner according to varying deadlines
• Edits all teacher narratives, in collaboration with Head of School and Assistant Head of School; ensures checklist and narratives match
• Ensures review by appropriate faculty for each student report, coordinating with School Counselor, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Occupational Therapist if/when necessary.
• Follows up with schools to ensure receipt of teacher recommendations
• Prepares and sends out any late recommendation requests following school decisions in March

Administrative Support

• Provides general administrative support to admin, staff, and families as needed/assigned.
• Covers front desk if/when needed
• Assists with scheduling of Admin Team Meetings and the agenda
• Attends all Admin Team meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Does this sound like you? If you are interested, please submit your cover letter, resume, and references to James Carroll at jcarroll@ncrcpreschool.org with Director of Communications & Special Projects in the subject line.

National Child Research Center nurtures the whole child - socially, emotionally, and intellectually - toward a lifelong love of learning. Informed by current research and continuing education, NCRC's exceptional faculty guide each student's unique development through a play-based, child-centered curriculum in a diverse, family-focused community, with a commitment to the inclusion of children who benefit from additional supports and adaptations.

For more information about our school, visit www.ncrcpreschool.org

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector
• Experience with CRMs, website design and management, database management software
• Independent school experience preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with all the school’s constituents while maintaining strict confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Skilled copy editor
• Strategic thinker with a “can-do” style
• Passionate about working with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Experience working with and motivating volunteers and staff members
• Familiarity with the local DC area community preferred

About National Child Research Center

National Child Research Center (NCRC), is a co-ed independent preschool located in the historic district of Cleveland Park in Washington, DC. Founded in 1928, NCRC is the oldest continuously operating preschool in the District of Columbia, serving children age 2 through Pre-Kindergarten. NCRC’s highly skilled faculty uses research-based best practices to lead children in a play-based, emergent curriculum, creating a uniquely enriching and nurturing environment for young children and their families. NCRC's Mission: National Child Research Center nurtures the whole child - socially, emotionally, and intellectually - toward a lifelong love of learning. Informed by current research and continuing education, NCRC’s exceptional faculty guide each student’s unique development through a play-based, child-centered curriculum in a diverse, family-focused community, with a commitment to the inclusion of children who benefit from additional supports and adaptations. NCRC is accredited by AIMS, and is a member of AISGW, AIMS, NAIS, NAEYC. For more information about our school, visit www.ncrcpreschool.org

Connections working at National Child Research Center