Website Head-Royce School
The Director of Communications leads strategic communications and marketing initiatives that advance the School’s mission. This senior administrative role promotes and develops the voice and branding of the School and is responsible for messaging to key constituencies and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful leader, strategic thinker, an experienced writer, creative problem-solver and valuable team member. The Director of Communications reports directly to the Director of Advancement and manages a Communications Manager and a part-time digital media specialist.
This is an exciting moment for strategic communications at Head-Royce, with an upcoming Head of School transition, refresh of the Board’s Strategic Plan and imminent groundbreaking on a transformative Master Plan. The role of the Communications Director will be pivotal in ensuring that the messaging and timing of these critical initiatives is aligned, while continuing to maintain the top-notch day-to-day communications that are the hallmark of a school of our caliber.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications
Executive Serve as primary point person for Head of School and Board of Trustees in creating communications strategy, crisis response, and school brand management
School-wide – Develop a school-wide communications plan, with specific attention to the Head of School, Admissions, Advancement, Equity & Inclusion and the three academic divisions (Lower, Middle and Upper Schools)
External – Manage media relations strategy including crisis communications and partner on all public affairs and community relations outreach
Social Media – Expand the social media strategy for the school, including support for the administration in social media response
Content Creation
Printed Collateral – project management, collaboration and oversight on key printed materials including school magazine, annual report, annual fund materials, admissions and special event support materials
Online and Digital Content – Develop a plan and process for updating school website including engagement with key stakeholders (parents, faculty and students). Oversee development and distribution of weekly parent-focused electronic newsletter and employee-specific ongoing communications.
Social Media – oversight of part-time Digital Media Specialist to ensure channels are updated and pushing out appropriate content
Leadership Support – collaborate on communications with school leadership, Parents’ Association, and Board of Trustees as needed including drafting and editing letters, blogs, speeches and presentations
External Support – support development of key presentations, speeches, etc., as needed for strategic external events, e.g., master plan, neighbor relations, leadership transitions, etc.
Managerial
Oversee communications staff, including contractors and freelancers. Provide professional development opportunities and performance feedback to staff on a consistent basis
Proactively manage editorial calendar ensuring messages are delivered to appropriate constituents with regard to timing, channel and voice
Budget oversight
Evaluate and assess current processes to streamline work and improve efficiencies.
Increase levels of stakeholder collaboration while providing excellent customer service, responsiveness and problem solving expertise
Participate in school-wide events and committees
Qualifications
This position requires outstanding written and oral communication skills as well as strong attention to detail, editing and, proofreading skills, an eye for design, and the ability to multi-task. In addition, this person must be able to work successfully in teams within varied constituencies, e.g., colleagues, parents, community members, faculty and staff. In addition, the ideal candidate must possess the following skills: flexible work style, problem solving, professional decision making, and the ability to uphold the highest standards of work and ethics including handling sensitive and confidential communications.
It is important that candidates possess a commitment to anti-racism, equity and inclusion in addition to the flexibility, curiosity, energy, sense of humor and commitment to teamwork that life in an independent school requires. We seek someone who possesses an appreciation for a K-12 educational environment, an interest in working with a range of products and services, an “always learning” mindset, and a commitment to a collaborative approach.
Additional Skills and Knowledge
Possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; Master degree preferred
A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in marketing and communications, experience in a school environment a plus
The wisdom and confidence to provide advice and counsel on sensitive matters of importance with respect to the school
Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign and Photoshop
Proficiency with the Google suite of applications, social media tools and experience in web publishing using a CMS
Proven track record of managing and developing others
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Head-Royce School Overview
Located on a 22-acre campus in Oakland, California, Head-Royce is a pre-eminent, co-educational, independent, K-12 day school with a 134-year history. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong love of learning and pursuit of academic excellence, to promote understanding of and respect for diversity that makes our society strong, and to encourage active and responsible global citizenship.
Head-Royce enrolls 880 students in the three separate divisions — Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools — and provides a dynamic, whole-child education to every student. With our Strategic Plan, Bridge to 2022, the school’s current initiatives include advancing an innovative, student-centered program, promoting an inclusive community, driving deeper civic engagement, sustaining a culture of balance and well-being, and carefully stewarding our resources.
Other Considerations
Compensation: Competitive among comparable schools
Location: Oakland, California
Travel: Occasional
Education: Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree(s) preferred
Start Date: As soon as possible, but no later than September 2021
Website: www.headroyce.org
To Apply
Interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest and a current resume by June 20. Application materials should be submitted through our website.
Compensation & Benefits
We offer a competitive compensation package — including medical, dental, and vision insurance and a generous retirement program — as well as tuition remission and extensive resources for professional development. We are a community of learners and strongly support Professional Community members who want to explore new techniques, deepen their knowledge, or collaborate with peers on interdisciplinary programs. That’s why we commit significant resources to funding conferences, advanced education, and other unique professional opportunities. Join our team!
Head-Royce School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available person in every job. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, color, creed, disability, gender, marital status, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, a medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Head-Royce School seeks to be a community in which every individual is treated with sensitivity, courtesy and respect.
