Description

Cannon seeks a Director of Communications & Marketing to lead all aspects of the school’s internal and external communications, marketing, public relations, and crisis communications. The school expects to fill this role promptly and have the new Director in place this August. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this senior leader will work across every area of the schoolspecifically focusing on advancement, enrollment, alumni relations, and the Head of Schoolto help the institution deliver on its strategic goals and promote its faculty, students, and program. The position currently oversees two direct reports (one of which the new director will need to hire expeditiously), and there will be an opportunity to discuss possibly growing the team in the future.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall

• Develop and continually refine an integrated strategic marketing plan that allows the school to express its mission, values, and program clearly and compellingly to all relevant audiences.

• Work closely with the leadership team to advance and implement institutional objectives identified in the school’s strategic plan.

• Define and help craft integrated communications for social and digital media, print publications, e-newsletters, external marketing, and more.

• Define and steward the Cannon brand across all marketing and communications channelsvisual identity, marketing messaging, institutional style, and tone.

• Oversee the sourcing and storage of photography and video related to Cannon communications.

• Oversee the cost-effective production of high-quality publications and promotional materials, including a semiannual magazine, annual report, and fundraising materials.

• Develop the school communications manual and style guide.

• Monitor Cannon’s editorial and graphic standards & policies so that all publications carrying the Cannon name and wordmark contribute positively to the school’s image and meet the high editorial standards expected of this top-quality educational institution.

• In service of the communications strategy, foster necessary relationships with media outlets to promote the school’s mission, programs, and achievements. Serve as the primary contact for and manage local and national media coverage.

• Take a data-driven approach to evaluating and refining communications strategies and tactics.

Internal Communications

• Develop the communications strategy and executional plan that builds upon and improves Cannon’s communications with its internal constituentsparents and employeesto ensure they are informed and engaged.

• Serve as the crisis communications lead, as part of the larger Emergency Management Team, and in partnership with legal counsel and others as needed. Ensure appropriate personnel are trained and prepared to use the school’s emergency communication software.

• Manage annual schedule and production of school e-newsletters, the twice-yearly Cannon Magazine, back-to-school communications, Annual Report, and others as needed.

• Partner with the Head of School to develop a strategy and cadence to their communications and execute excellently.

• Assist with event development and event marketing to ensure consistency with the Cannon brand.

• Manage the selection of and oversight of outside vendors as needed.

Online and External Communications

• Oversee the school’s external and internal websites to ensure effective, state-of-the-art design and architecture and timely content production that supports vital marketing messages.

• Oversee and contribute to the writing, editing, and proofing of information/news placed on the public portions of the website and school portals and has the authority to approve or reject content proposals.

• Set the institution-wide social media strategy and execute it in partnership with other school content creators.

Advancement Communications

• In partnership with the Office of Advancement, develop the communications strategy for and execute critical elements of the communications related to the Annual Fund, campaign, alumni relations, and development office events.

• Ensure that school-wide communications are integrated with and serve advancement goals.

Enrollment Marketing

• In partnership with the Enrollment office, develop the strategy for and implement the marketing and communications elements of an annual enrollment marketing plan.

• Lead research efforts among parents, faculty/staff, donors, prospective families, etc., to inform communications strategies and execution.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess most of the following qualifications:

• 7 years of experience leading broad communications functions. Previous experience in a pre-collegiate or collegiate environment will be an advantage.

• Superior collaborative skills and the ability to prioritize while inspiring disparate teams to work toward common objectives.

• Superior leadership and administration skills with demonstrated experience managing, mentoring, and motivating staff.

• Agile and creative problem-solving skills.

• Expertise in media relations, crisis communication, social media, and print/digital design and publication. Knowledge of Finalsite is a plus.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present in front of colleagues, parents, alumni, and the board of trustees if needed.

• A commitment and willingness to uphold Cannon’s values.

• An ability to adapt and bring a sense of humility and humor to everyday work

• A Bachelor’s degree is required, and a graduate-level degree is preferred.