The assistant director of communications serves as a liaison between the Communications and Marketing Department and other key departments, fielding requests for communications support from advancement, admissions, and academics. Successful candidates in this role must have a depth of experience managing multiple projects for different institutional stakeholders, excellent attention to detail, a thorough knowledge of integrated (i.e. digital and traditional media) marketing and communications strategy, experience with writing and adhering to a style and brand standards, and, most of all, professional project management skills.

The assistant director is responsible for overseeing the lifecycle of communication needs (e.g. writing, design, email, web, social, etc.) for prospective students/families, current families, alumnae, donors, and friends of the institution. This role partners closely with other members of the Communications and Marketing team, especially the Director of Communications, to proactively plan for upcoming projects and needs for the aforementioned departments through the team’s project management software (currently Asana).

Some level of experience and comfort with Adobe Creative Suite is important so that revisions and light design work on existing creative can be carried out as needed. The incumbent must be an organized, collaborative, and strategic professional with experience in marketing and/or project management.

We seek someone with expertise in navigating today’s changing and diverse landscape and will help the School promote and nurture diversity, equity, access and inclusion. The School encourages candidates from under-represented groups and individuals who have demonstrated experience with diverse populations who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Responsibilities:

1. Proactively plans for communication and marketing needs through partnership with other offices and in consultation with the Director of Communications and the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
2. Oversees inbound project requests via the Asana project management system, through direct and regular communication with colleagues in other departments, and through planning meetings held regularly with stakeholders
3. Sets project timelines and shares expectations with partner offices, managing and documenting the full arc of each project via Asana and email communication
4. Recommends strategies and best practices to partner offices as part of regular planning and strategy meetings hosted on a recurring basis
5. Assesses available bandwidth for new projects and requisitions in partnership with the Director of Communications and Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, communicates expectations and, when needed, ongoing changes to scope
6. Contributes to the editorial work of the Communications and Marketing Department, with regular submissions to Emma Willard’s owned media platforms, especially focused on authoring pieces that support the objectives of alumnae relations, campaign and fundraising, and those targeting prospective students and families
7. Creates updated designs and revises content for existing creative in Adobe Creative Suite, for example recurring ads in magazines or invitations to events
8. Actively researches and reports on trends, best practices and case studies in private school and higher education communications and marketing
9. Manages multiple projects effectively with the use of Asana Project Management tracking and proactively communicates updates to all stakeholders
10. Assists the DEI department with the development of affinity group communications and projects that promote a sense of belonging and inclusion at Emma Willard

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, marketing, public relations, or an adjacent field (e.g. business)
• A minimum of three to five years’ experience, combining marketing strategy, project management, and creative production for different industries, especially education
• Demonstrated competence with workplace productivity software suites, such as Microsoft or Google Office 
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple projects and tasks and communicate progress appropriately. Experience using project management software.
• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.
• Experience managing stakeholders and completing high-profile, fast-turnaround projects
• Must be self-directed, aspirational, an innovative thinker, and able to operate both independently and as part of a team.

We seek to identify, recruit, and develop employees who bring a diversity of experiences, perspectives, talents, and backgrounds. 

Emma Willard School requires employees to be fully vaccinated with the exception of qualifying exemptions. You will need to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration.

Please apply through the school's Career Center website.

About Emma Willard School

Since 1814, Emma Willard School has been one of the nation's leading college preparatory boarding and day schools for young women. At Emma Willard, every possible resource is dedicated to developing in students the values and skills that form the foundation of a life of accomplishment, leadership, and fulfillment. These include a love for the life of the mind, a commitment to service, courage and confidence, grace and creativity, and collaboration and friendship. Known for its rigor, the school promotes intellectual curiosity and disciplined study habits through a challenging curriculum distinguished by a wide array of advanced placement courses and electives. It also promotes active involvement in the life of the campus and off-campus communities through a rich co-curricular program. In all they do, students are both challenged and closely supported by an outstanding faculty and staff. The school's extraordinary physical plant is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and provides a breathtakingly beautiful yet state-of-the-art setting for learning and living. Throughout its history, Emma Willard has been committed to enrolling a diverse student body from across the Ca...pital Region, across the country, and around the world. This commitment is honored by significant expenditures in financial aid to assist families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to provide an extraordinary secondary education for their daughters.

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