Communications/Marketing Director

 

Title: Communications/Marketing Director                                Classification: Exempt

Department: Communications                                                     Reports to: Head of Schools
 

School Description

Founded in Chicago in 1876, Sacred Heart Schools at Sheridan Road (Hardey Preparatory for Boys and Academy of the Sacred Heart for Girls) are independent, Catholic, single-sex elementary schools committed to academic excellence within the context of a Christian, faith-based community. The educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries: including 25 schools in the United States and Canada. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical. Our girls and boys are taught in single-sex classrooms but follow a similar curriculum and share in many activities. With a total enrollment of approximately 515 students, the Schools are organized into three academic divisions each led by a division head.

Position Description

The Communications/Marketing Director is responsible for developing a comprehensive strategy to build understanding and support for the mission of Sacred Heart education and enhance the reputation of the Academy and Hardey Prep as leaders among independent Catholic schools, locally, and nationally.  The Director manages resources and oversees initiatives that raise awareness of the school's distinctive character, strengthens Sacred Heart's brand position, and engages as well as informs key constituent groups.  Key areas of responsibility include school publications, social media, public relations, advertising, and brand identity and supports Head of Schools in messaging to the wider community. This individual also works closely with outsourced graphic designers, printers, and remarketing personnel. The position demands a full range of communications skills, both creative and technical: copywriting, graphic design, photography, website updates, and experience in using electronic media to support institutional goals. 

The ideal candidate is a strong project manager who can think both creatively and strategically, and who can complete complex projects from start to finish and on deadline.  In addition, the Director demonstrates a commitment to staying abreast of trends in marketing and communication methods, and to practices among peer schools.  The Director exhibits strong leadership and interpersonal skills, can work effectively with colleagues, volunteers, and vendors, and consistently projects a positive image of Sacred Heart Schools.  

The Communications/Marketing Director works collaboratively with Admissions, Development, and Head of Schools to build understanding and support of the school’s mission and programs, and to secure resources to enhance the school and secure its future.  The Director strives to model the values expressed in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education.

Essential Job Functions

Strategy and Policy

• Develop and execute an annual marketing plan designed to advance the vision, mission, and strategic objectives of Sacred Heart Schools; ensure the plan is closely aligned with the Board of Trustees’ Strategic Plan

• Develop metrics that define success, assess effectiveness, and measure progress; regularly provide reports to Head of Schools

• Develop and maintain standards for the school's brand, editorial, and visual identities

• Implement “best practice” policies for communications/marketing as articulated by professional and accreditation organizations such as the National Association for Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools

• Develop and maintain an effective crisis and emergency communications policy and train key personnel

• With the Head of Schools, provide input for budget development and administer all budgets related to communications and marketing.

• Serve on the Enrollment Management Committee and Development Committee of the Board of Trustees

Communications 

• Lead the effort to build and execute the annual communications calendar, maintaining a clear focus on institutional priorities while remaining responsive to constituent requests

• Ensure constituents receive timely and accurate school information through a variety of user-friendly and easily accessible communication vehicles (i.e. eblasts, text messages); ensure school information, messages, and themes are consistent, cohesive, and reinforced across all platforms, both in print and electronic

• Serve as chief editor and publisher for key school publications such as the Annual Report, Heartbeat, and the school yearbook

• Ensure the excellence of the school’s website and social media channels; stay abreast of trends in electronic communication, keeping the school current with new developments 

• Maintain a robust portfolio of professional and staff-generated photography and video of school events, facilities, programs, and personnel for use in publications, both print and digital; maintain list of students who cannot be shown in photographs or on video, and ensure they do not appear in publications

Marketing

• Utilize data, analytics, and institutional insights to inform marketing-centric messaging and strategic media selection

• Formulate and implement annual marketing initiatives, encompassing advertising and digital content aligned with enrollment requirements, and external agency collaboration

• Manage the School’s website design and functionality, including associated portals, in partnership with the IT Department and professional vendors

• Partner with established design and print vendors to refine and maintain the School’s brand identity and collateral materials

• Direct the School’s market research efforts, overseeing constituent surveys and the dissemination of comprehensive data reports

• Direct all marketing sponsorships, brand partnerships, integrations, and institutional events

• Maintain expertise in current principles and emerging trends regarding branding, digital strategy, and community engagement

Collaboration

• Provide counsel and support to the Head of Schools and Academic Leadership Team in identifying effective ways to communicate with parents and other key constituencies

• Collaborate with the Admissions and Development offices to produce high quality materials that support enrollment and fundraising objectives

• Work with the School Office to ensure back-to-school and other essential parent/school information is available to the school community in timely, accurate, and user-friendly ways

• Support word-of-mouth marketing efforts through the Parent Ambassador Network and Angel Family program

• Stay abreast of academic, classroom, and extracurricular programs and activities

• Develop a rich understanding of Sacred Heart’s history, traditions, and key differentiators (single sex education, values-based education, Network of Sacred Heart Schools, Society of the Sacred Heart) and communicate them effectively

• Meet regularly with the Head of Schools, Admissions, and Development Directors to share information, plan, and manage the activities of the Driehaus Center.

Media and External Relations

• Establish media contacts; serve as the first point-of-contact for media inquiries; identify public relations and promotional opportunities to position the school for greater media visibility

• Serve as communications liaison with the Archdiocese of Chicago, Network of Sacred Heart Schools, and the Society of the Sacred Heart; suggest stories and provide content as needed

Digital and Print Content Management

• Undertake an annual audit of the website, working with colleagues across the school to fulfill needs and enhance functionality of the website for all users.  

• Ensure the website always maintains a pleasing and effective design, refreshing images/content as needed

• Create and post content, including alerts, new stories, photographs, and videos to the website.  

• Work with faculty, staff, and volunteers to create and update content on the website as appropriate – including building out new pages/micro sites 

Parent Communications

• Develop and maintain a parent App that delivers essential, customizable information to users  

• Ensure the Parent Portal website provides a seamless and complementary experience aligned with the app’s design and functionality.  

• Coordinate, produce, and distribute NewsNotes, the weekly newsletter for parents. 

• Other projects assigned by the Head of Schools.

Qualities and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; degree focused on Communications/Marketing or equivalent experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or advancement, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting

• Comprehensive understanding of marketing, communications, and branding principles, as well as strong grasp of emerging media channels 

• Proven project management skills: with the ability to manage multiple complex tasks and meet tight deadlines

• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

• Experience in graphic design and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including Premiere Pro, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator

• Strong knowledge of website and application management, preferably with Finalsite 

• Experience with digital photography, and video editing tools such as iMovie and/or Adobe Premiere Pro

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

• Flexibility to work remotely from home, when necessary, with occasional evening and weekend availability

• Familiarity with content management systems and HTML is a plus

• Experience in independent or Catholic education is preferred

Characteristics of Success

• Warm and welcoming, collegial, steady, and mature; works positively with parents and children from a wide variety of backgrounds; outwardly reflects the school’s mission, culture, and values 

• Manages confidential material respectfully and handles private information with discretion and tact 

• Commitment to Catholic education and comfortability in expressing its value

• A strong work ethic, highly motivated and self-directed, and excellent organizational and time management skills; attention to detail and accuracy

• A leader and problem solver that can think through projects step-by-step to design easily understood workflows

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to forward the goals of the School

Pay Range: $72,000 - $85,000 Based on experience

Benefits:
 
    • Medical Insurance                                       
    • Dental insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Tuition Remission
    • Paid time off
    • Flexible Spending Accounts
    • Life and AD&D Insurance
    • Retirement Benefits
    • Parental Leave

To Apply

Apply directly at the School's website (www.shschicago.org) in the Career Opportunities section, submitting a cover letter and resume.

 

Sacred Heart Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate.