Director of Strategic Communications, Media and Marketing

Maine Central Institute (MCI) is one of New England's most distinctive secondary schools — an independent, coeducational boarding and day school in the Town of Pittsfield, Maine. MCI serves students from across Maine, the United States, and more than 20 countries, inspiring purposeful, happy lives and producing engaged world citizens.

This is one of the most consequen5al roles at MCI. The Director of Strategic Communica5ons, Media and Marke5ng is a senior ins5tu5onal leader — someone who shapes how MCI tells its story, builds its brand, and posi5ons itself for long- term strength in enrollment and advancement. This is not a coordinator or execu5onal role. It is a seat at the leadership table for a communica5ons professional who can think and plan at a strategic level, write compelling content across diverse formats and audiences, and manage MCI's full media presence with excellence and consistency. This full-time, on-site position reports to the Head of School and works closely with the Advancement Office, Admissions, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Student Life, and other institutional departments. Starting salary is $65,000 , commensurate with experience.

We are seeking a dynamic leader who understands that great communica-ons is not about volume — it's about vision, voice, and impact.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy & Brand Leadership

• Develop and own a comprehensive communications strategy that advances MCI's enrollment, fundraising, and institutional goals

• Serve as MCI's primary brand steward — defining and protecting tone, visual identity, and messaging standards, while building the systems that ensure consistency across every department and channel

Website & Digital Content

• Own day-to-day management of MCI's website, ensuring accuracy, freshness, and a compelling user experience

• Develop and maintain a content calendar that authentically reflects MCI milestones, achievements, seasons, and community life

• Manage and grow MCI's social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube

• Monitor analytics and data to continually optimize content performance and audience engagement

Photography & Videography

• Serve as the school's primary in-house photographer and videographer

• Capture events, performances, athletics, academic life, and campus moments that tell MCI's story with authenticity and energy

• Build and maintain a high-quality visual library that reflects the character and community of MCI

Media Relations

• Proactively pitch and place MCI stories with local, regional, and national media to elevate the school's public profile through strategic earned coverage

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts

Advancement & Enrollment Support

• Partner with the Advancement team to provide media, storytelling, and communications support for a comprehensive fundraising campaign

• Partner with the Admissions team to support recruitment of prospective domestic and international students through targeted, compelling content

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field

• 7 years of professional communications or marketing experience, ideally in an educational or mission-driven organization

• Exceptional writing skills with the ability to adapt voice and style — from major donor correspondence to punchy social media copy

• Demonstrated track record of strategic storytelling, not just content production

• Experience managing websites and digital content management systems (CMS)

• Proficiency with social media platforms and email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp or equivalent)

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously

• Collaborative mindset and the emotional intelligence to work effectively alongside senior leaders, faculty, and staff

Preferred

• Experience in independent school, higher education, or nonprofit communications

• Photography and/or video production skills

• Familiarity with analytics plajorms (Google Analytics, Meta Insights, etc.)

• Graphic design skills and experience with Adobe Creative Suite or Canva

  
  

MCI offers a competitive benefits program including medical, vision and dental plans, disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter describing why you are drawn to this role and how you would approach it. Also provide two writing samples that demonstrate your range — at least one of which should be a web article, blog post, or institutional narrative.

For more information or to apply today, contact:

David Pearson, Head of School
Maine Central Institute
295 Main Street
Pittsfield, Maine 04967
Phone: 207-487-5915
E-mail: dpearson@mci-school.org