Description

 Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans (LFNO) is seeking a dynamic, strategy-driven Director of Communications to advance the institution across traditional and digital channels, and all internal and external audiences. The strategic leader chosen for this role has the opportunity to establish LFNO as the premier French immersion learning environment for the State of Louisiana. 

The Director of Communications will build and execute the vision, processes, and systems required to collect and distribute information across the network, and lead the development and strategic positioning of the brand. 

The Director of Communications is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy for Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans across all constituencies including current and prospective families, faculty and staff, students, supporters, and the broader external community. 

Role and Responsibilities

The duties of the Director of Communications include, but are not limited to the following tasks:

Communications

• Establish a robust, multi-channel communications plan for internal and external audiences, including social media and weekly newsletter communications
• Advise CEO on the drafting of content and talking points for various communications.
• Develop and maintain the school archive of news items and digital images for use online, in print, and on campus.
• Lead crisis communications efforts - developing and maintaining procedures and protocols.
• Periodically prepare agendas, presentations and reports for the board of directors, as needed. 
• Monitor and manage all internal communications (academic, development, administrative, etc.) including internal programming 

Marketing and PR

• Develop a data-driven, multi-channel marketing strategies for prospective families and donors.
• Audit, refine, and strategically position the Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans brand, including the drafting of a style guide
• Lead and support internal stakeholders in the design high-quality marketing collateral
• Visit classrooms and attend school-related events (such as fundraisers and sports matches) to support the recording and/or photography for yearbook
• Develop and execute a media relations strategy (including the drafting and distribution of press releases)
• Generate digital content to archive and post across platforms
• Assist the Coordinator of Admissions and Data with outreach and recruiting efforts, including events
• Periodically conduct competitor analysis

Website Administration

• Design and maintain site architecture with a focus on the user experience
• Regularly source and publish campus news
• Generate digital content to post on online platforms
• Partner with administrators and staff to proactively maintain content accuracy
• Attend and support key school functions (providing photography and news coverage of the event)

Fundraising

• Develop marketing collateral as needed
• Support the communications activities of the Foundation, as needed

The Director of Communications will serve on appropriate Board committees, attend meetings, and prepare reports as requested by the CEO.

Requirements

 Expectations, Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications, marketing, public relations, OR equivalent concentration or experience, will be considered.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience leading communications, marketing, and public relations activities 
• Experience establishing sophisticated, org-wide communications processes and systems
• Project management experience
• Experience with brand development and strategy
• Ability and desire to coach and develop others
• Strong photography, graphic design, writing, and editing skills
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects simultaneously and lead by example
• Strong team orientation and ability to collaborate with all members of the school community
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, public speaking and presentation skills, and interpersonal and interview skills.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly PowerPoint, Word and Excel)
• Familiarity with WordPress or similar CMS
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality
• Experience in group decision making

Preferred Qualifications 

• Project management experience or certification
• Website administration experience
• Marketing automation experience
• Data analysis
• Content generation
• Experience editing film
• Experience in secondary or higher education
• Experience in institutional advancement in the non-profit and/or education sector
• Fluency in French
• Familiarity with student information systems such as PowerSchool

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at LFNO

Lycée is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our daily practices. LFNO staff represent a wide diversity of racial, cultural, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities--opening a window to the entire LFNO community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our consequential work.

 Job descriptions are created to provide a framework of responsibilities and are not inclusive of all duties that may be required. LFNO employees embody an “all hands on deck” mentality and do whatever it takes to get the job done regardless of title.