Director of Marketing and Communications

Overview

The Gow School, a nationally recognized leader in educating students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, seeks a dynamic Director of Marketing and Communications to lead and elevate the school’s storytelling, brand, and strategic communications efforts.

Founded in 1926, Gow is a college-preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 5–12 and postgraduate learners. Through small classes, expert faculty, and a deeply supportive community, Gow helps students build confidence, independence, and lifelong success.

Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for strengthening The Gow School's visibility, generating prospective student leads, and supporting enrollment growth through effective marketing and communications.

This is a hands-on leadership position requiring a highly motivated, independent professional who can develop strategies and execute them. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who takes ownership of projects, manages competing priorities, anticipates marketing and communication needs, meets deadlines, and produces high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

The Director must be comfortable managing social media independently, overseeing the School's website and search engine optimization (SEO), developing digital marketing and drip campaigns, and using data to evaluate and report results.

Working closely with Enrollment Management, Finance, and our Board of Trustees, the Director will ensure marketing efforts support the School's enrollment goals, financial priorities, and overall mission.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy and Enrollment Growth

• Develop and execute marketing strategies that increase Gow's visibility, generate qualified leads, and support enrollment growth.
• Partner with Enrollment Management to align marketing campaigns with recruitment goals, target audiences, and enrollment priorities.
• Develop and manage campaigns that generate inquiries, campus visits, applications, and enrollment.
• Expand Gow's reach among prospective families, educational consultants, and referral networks.
• Track marketing effectiveness throughout the enrollment process and adjust strategies based on performance data and emerging opportunities.

Social Media and Digital Content

• Independently manage all social media accounts, including content creation, scheduling, posting, and engagement.
• Independently create compelling written, photographic, video, and promotional content that engages current and prospective families, alumni, educational consultants, and the broader Gow community. Tailor content to the audiences and best practices of Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Maintain a consistent content calendar, proactively identify stories and opportunities, and stay current with social media trends and emerging platforms, including TikTok. Use performance data to improve engagement, expand Gow's reach, and support enrollment goals.

Website, SEO, and Lead Generation

• Oversee the School's website, ensuring accurate, engaging, and current content that supports prospective family engagement and inquiries.
• Develop and implement SEO strategies to improve search visibility and generate qualified leads.
• Manage digital advertising campaigns and outside marketing vendors as needed.
• Monitor website traffic, search performance, lead quality, and inquiry conversions, implementing improvements that support enrollment.

Communications and Brand Management

• Lead internal and external communications, including School announcements, publications, promotional materials, and major initiatives.
• Develop clear, compelling messaging that reflects Gow's mission, educational programs, and brand.
• Write, edit, and proofread communications for the Head of School and department leaders, ensuring accuracy, consistency, appropriate approvals, and timely delivery.
• Anticipate communication needs, respond quickly to requests, and maintain a consistent, professional voice across all communication platforms.

Collaboration and Financial Accountability

• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Finance, Development, Academic Leadership, Student Experience, and other departments to support School-wide priorities.
• Partner with Finance to develop and manage the marketing budget, evaluating expenditures, lead generation, and return on investment.
• Maintain regular communication with department leaders regarding priorities, projects, and deadlines.
• Provide leadership with timely updates on marketing activities, performance, and upcoming initiatives.

Leadership, Engagement, and Accountability

• Develop a strong understanding of Gow's mission, academic programs, and student experience through regular classroom visits and active participation in campus life.
• Independently lead marketing and communications initiatives from planning through completion, anticipating needs and identifying solutions.
• Manage multiple priorities, work efficiently, respond quickly to changing needs, and consistently meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Establish project timelines, communicate progress, and take responsibility for results.
• Oversee external vendors, consultants, and marketing resources as needed.
• Contribute actively to senior leadership discussions and School-wide planning.
• Maintain a visible presence in the School community, including attending at least three assemblies per week, regularly eating lunch with students, and engaging with faculty and staff.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, results-oriented professional with exceptional writing and communication skills, strong digital marketing experience, and the ability to work independently. This individual must be a self-starter who anticipates needs, takes ownership of projects, works efficiently, and consistently delivers high-quality work with minimal supervision.

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in marketing and communications, preferably in an educational or mission-driven organization.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional communications for a variety of audiences.
• Proven ability to respond quickly to communication requests, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines without sacrificing accuracy or quality.
• Experience independently managing social media platforms, including content creation, scheduling, posting, and engagement.
• Strong knowledge of digital marketing, SEO, website management, digital advertising, and lead-generation strategies.
• Experience developing and managing marketing campaigns, using analytics to evaluate performance, and adjusting strategies to improve results.
• Sales, enrollment marketing, or customer acquisition experience preferred.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and move projects forward independently.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Experience managing marketing budgets and evaluating expenditures based on effectiveness and return on investment.
• Proficiency with Canva and working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
• Photography, video production, and editing skills preferred.
• A genuine commitment to Gow's mission, including a willingness to become actively involved in campus life and develop a strong understanding of the students and families we serve.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $105,000