Job Title: Director of Communications

Reports to: Director of Advancement

Classification: Exempt

Status: Full-Time

Start Date: Immediately

The Director of Communications works primarily with the offices of Advancement and Admissions to coordinate the School’s internal and external communication processes and materials, implement marketing and branding efforts, support fundraising campaigns, and recruit & retain students.

The Emery/Weiner School is an independent, college-preparatory middle and high school that offers top-ranked academics, educates the whole child, and inculcates a unique student culture in an environment infused with pluralistic Judaism. Students carry with them the spirit of Tikkun Olam as they pursue an education not only for their own benefit but also to help improve the world in which they live. Our academic program encompasses traditional and progressive methods. While we stress the development of traditional academic skills, we also engage in experiential learning outside the walls of the classroom. Our culture is one that empowers students, instilling a sense of responsibility that extends to the outside community. The result is a learning partnership in which students feel a sense of ownership in the institution and — more importantly — graduate with a profound sense of self and moral self-reliance.

Abilities:

• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend events.
• Ability to be deadline-driven and highly organized in managing workload.
• Ability to articulate and advocate for the School’s mission and philosophy.
• Ability to work effectively and relate well with others including supervisors, colleagues, parents, students, and community members. Exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain positive and constructive working relationships.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, remain open to others’ ideas, and exhibits willingness to try new things.
• Ability to manage data effectively using shoppingmode Microsoft Office products and databases.
• Ability to create long-term and short-term strategic plans and projections. Ability to anticipate issues and offer solutions.
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrate group presentation skills, and conduct meetings.
• Ability to demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness and monitor own work to ensure quality.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Ability to manage priorities and workflow.

This position requires a professional who:

• Is passionate about working in an independent school setting with middle and high school students
• Thrives on a collaborative team with in daily brainstorming and creative thinking
• Embraces new technology integration as a tool for improving school brand
• Is interested in implementing strategies to improve organizational procedures

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Design and/or coordinate printing for all publications and advertisements, and support all departments with their graphic design and printing needs including school magazine ( Kotarot ) and Admissions materials.
• Oversee School’s online presence, including maintaining and updating School website, recommending and implementing improvements, and researching new ways to represent the School online.
• Supervise Media/Marketing Associate.
• Coordinate official electronic correspondence from the School, including weekly email blasts and social media updates.
• Assist in planning and executing all Admissions and Advancement events.
• Research, develop, and implement marketing strategy in line with departmental goals.
• Produce video content for internal and external use.
• Ensure consistent implementation of correspondence and visual imaging standards, including proofreading all printed materials. Enforce content style and guidelines in all school media.
• Assist in maintaining consistent internal and external messaging about the School’s mission and philosophy.
• Serve as a point of contact for media and vendors/agencies relevant to communications. 
• Create and distribute press releases and school photos, and maintain relationships with key media personnel.
• Serve on the crisis management team to prepare public responses when necessary.
• Coordinate photography for all school events, and maintain an archive of photos.
• Track expenditures and monitor Communications budget.
• Remain “on-call” to Head of School and senior level management for time sensitive communication needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• 3-5 years in a directly comparable position in education or in a related position in public relations, customer relations, marketing, or sales
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or similar graphic design software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and skilled public speaker
• Strong administrative and data management skills
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Communication, Marketing, Digital Media, or other relevant field
• Experience with web design, content management systems, and HTML
• Experience with video editing software
• Experience in independent schools / Knowledge of independent school admissions process

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, their resume, and 3-5 references to rstarr@emeryweiner.org. (References will not be contacted without notifying the candidate first.)

About The Emery/Weiner School

The Emery/Weiner School, a private, college-preparatory middle and high school located in Houston, TX, is different! First, we provide the finest academics; second, we educate the whole child; third, we maintain a unique student culture; and fourth, we do all of this in an environment that is framed by and infused with progressive and pluralistic Judaism. Our academic program encompasses traditional and progressive methods. For instance, we stress skills such as writing and reading, but also engage in experiential learning and regular field trips. Our approach to Judaic studies is a modern one, which seeks to make the material and the traditions relevant for each student. And our culture is one that empowers students in order to create in each a sense of responsibility not only for their school community, but for the greater community at-large.

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