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Director of Strategic communication

Executive Director of Strategic Communications 

Job Title: Executive Director of Strategic Communications 

Department: Marketing and Communications

Reports To: Head of School

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Full-Time, Twelve Month Position, Benefited

Founded in 1970, Providence Day School is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational college preparatory school serving approximately 1,800 students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. Committed to academic excellence, global diversity and character development, PDS seeks to inspire in its students a passion for learning, a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to personal integrity. Cited for excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, the College Board Advanced Placement Program and the National Council of Teachers of English, PDS provides a challenging and diverse college preparatory curriculum.

PD is recognized as one of The Charlotte Observer’s “Top Workplaces 2022”, “Top Workplaces 2019”, as well as, “Top Workplaces 2018”.  This award is particularly special because the results are based solely on confidential responses from our employees. Additionally, PD is recognized as one of greater Charlotte’s 2018 and 2019 Healthiest Employers by the Charlotte Business Journal. This award demonstrates the school’s commitment to promoting the health and wellness of our employees and the importance of appropriate work-life harmony.  

The Providence Day School community welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs who share a commitment to respect one another and accept differences. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer with a policy of nondiscrimination in the treatment of employees or applicants for employment without consideration of race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability, gender or gender identity.

Providence Day School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is a member of ABC (A Better Chance), and holds memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools, Southern Association of Independent Schools, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, Educational Records Bureau, National and Southern Associations for College Admission Counseling, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the College Board. 

Providence Day School seeks an Executive Director of Strategic Communications whose primary responsibility is developing and implementing the school’s marketing and communications TK-12th grade strategy. The Executive Director will provide organizational leadership and inspiration for strategic marketing and communications. Developing a team that contributes to the school’s energetic, collaborative and joyful culture will be vital. This position will be part of the Senior Leadership team while working closely with other internal offices of the school.

The school seeks an approachable presence on campus who displays personal integrity and is passionate about Providence Day School. Under the Executive Director’s leadership, the team will be responsible for carrying out a comprehensive, sophisticated, and complex multi-channel marketing plan, as well as the day-to-day communication functions of the school’s complex organization and engaged constituent base which includes, but is not limited to: students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees and the Charlotte area community 

The ideal candidate needs to possess a proactive, strategic approach and the proven managerial and execution skills needed to guide and give life to Providence Day School’s communications goals now and into the future. 

With an attention to detail that ensures all activities across print, website, and digital/social media are executed flawlessly and done in a relevant and timely way that advances the mission, programs, and goals of the school; the EDSC will lead a dedicated communications team of four.

The position will require the EDSC to leverage the personalities, voices, and stories of Providence Day School to develop the school’s core messaging and work to translate that into positive attention on local, national and international levels. This also includes helping draw attention to Providence Day School's many programs and initiatives, which position Providence Day School as a leader in the field of education. The EDSC reports directly to the Head of School.

We expect the initiatives listed below will have priority within the School’s marketing and communications strategy:

Positioning

Building internal and external awareness and understanding of the School and the unique student opportunities resulting from the experiences through the design and production of multimedia communications. Key audiences will include the School’s faculty and staff, alumni, parents (prospective and current), and enrollment influencers in the PD community. We expect that the Director will work closely with senior staff and industry specialists to develop and implement this plan.

Philanthropy

While working collaboratively with the Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement, develop a communications strategy or strategies that support the School’s ongoing philanthropic initiatives, priorities, and on-going advancement efforts including, but not limited to, comprehensive campaigns. The Director will work closely with the School’s leadership to develop and implement integrated and compelling communications strategies that serve the school’s short- and long-term philanthropic goals.

Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

While working directly with the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, the EDSC will develop strategies for greater story-telling, marketing and communications for sharing EIB-related progress and metrics to achieve EIB goals.

Identity

Exploring a visual identity/system and messaging platform that serves the School in applications such as its Website and coordinated marketing efforts, video, social, sports information, weekly newsletters, magazine and more to ensure consistency of strategic messaging. 

Enrollment

While working collaboratively with the Assistant Head of School for Admissions, oversee the development of a multi-plank marketing and communication strategy for enrollment and retention to inform day-to-day and strategic initiatives of the office and talent therein.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the department’s budget, and supervise contract partners and vendors as needed.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual communications plan across the organization’s audiences.
• Leverage a multi-faceted set of traditional and non-traditional communication channels that will inform and engage audiences.
• Build and nurture relationships with local, regional, national, and international press outlets and stakeholders to advance and expand Providence Day School School’s position and profile in the media.
• Pitch the school’s vibrant programs to media outlets.
• Ensure all internal communications are aligned with Providence Day School’s external communication efforts, tying all marketing activity back to organizational goals.
• Oversee the school’s organizational response to inquiries about Providence Day School, including, but not limited to, press inquiries and requests.
• Identify significant media issues that are relevant to Providence Day School School and create and implement plans to leverage them.
• Proactively manage and coordinate all media outreach and media events, including providing on-site support for crisis situations.
• Prep the Head of School or other spokespersons in advance of any and all interactions with the press/media and serve as the spokesperson for the school when appropriate.
• Engage fully in the daily life of the school, including attending student performances, athletics events, and social activities.
• Serves as a visible and known presence in the life of the School, managing and enforcing brand standards.
• From magazine publications, weekly newsletters, push pages, crisis communications, collaborating on speeches, and interviews, interfacing with media outlets, PR experts, and locating storytelling opportunities, this position has a variety of responsibilities and oversight roles.
• Evening and weekend work is required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Deadline-oriented, experienced in issues management, crisis management team experience and a skilled storyteller of nuanced narratives shared with multiple audiences across multiple platforms. 
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to articulate complex messages to a diverse constituency. 
• Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in the development, design, and execution of communications and marketing activities.  
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical, and organizational skills. 
• Experience developing and managing budgets and hiring, training, developing, supervising, and evaluating personnel. 
• Demonstrated successful experience writing news releases, developing and delivering presentations, and working with media.  
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications, website management, and social media content creation and management. 
• Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently and responsibly while managing numerous projects simultaneously.
• Ability to represent Providence Day School in a professional manner and foster positive working relationships.
• Ability to consistently exercise sound independent judgment.
• Ability to manage conflicting demands on time and multiple tasks involving multiple co-workers; maintain and exhibit flexibility; work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Provide effective customer service to both internal and external customers
• Employs strategies and approaches to ensure and improve equity, inclusion, and belonging-based outcomes within the organization.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field is required.
• A graduate degree in a related field is desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience with demonstrated success in communications, media relations, public affairs, marketing, and digital communications strategy and administration or a combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Expert knowledge of brand management, technical project planning, and implementation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those situations employees encounter while performing the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a business office setting. Tasks require a variety of physical activities, not generally involving muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, and light lifting. Regular and consistent in-person interaction and continuous talking, hearing, and seeing are required to perform the job. Common eye, hand, and finger dexterity is required to perform some essential functions. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking, and creative problem solving.

Salary and Benefits: Providence Day School is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a compensation plan that compares favorably with those of other independent schools both locally and nationwide. Individual salary levels are competitive and are determined by educational background and experience.  A full benefits package includes TIAA retirement and medical/dental coverage.

Application Process: Applicants should submit a cover letter of interest, current resume, college transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a list of references with telephone numbers.  Materials should be sent to:

 

pds.strategiccommunications@providenceday.org

This position is open until filled.  Providence Day School is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Deadline-oriented, experienced in issues management, crisis management team experience and a skilled storyteller of nuanced narratives shared with multiple audiences across multiple platforms. 
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to articulate complex messages to a diverse constituency. 
• Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in the development, design, and execution of communications and marketing activities.  
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical, and organizational skills. 
• Experience developing and managing budgets and hiring, training, developing, supervising, and evaluating personnel. 
• Demonstrated successful experience writing news releases, developing and delivering presentations, and working with media.  
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications, website management, and social media content creation and management. 
• Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently and responsibly while managing numerous projects simultaneously.
• Ability to represent Providence Day School in a professional manner and foster positive working relationships.
• Ability to consistently exercise sound independent judgment.
• Ability to manage conflicting demands on time and multiple tasks involving multiple co-workers; maintain and exhibit flexibility; work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Provide effective customer service to both internal and external customers
• Employs strategies and approaches to ensure and improve equity, inclusion, and belonging-based outcomes within the organization.

How To Apply

Application Process: Applicants should submit a cover letter of interest, current resume, college transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a list of references with telephone numbers.  Materials should be sent to:

 

pds.strategiccommunications@providenceday.org