Associate Director of Communications

National Cathedral School (NCS) seeks an Associate Director of Communications, whose role is to execute the day-to-day responsibilities of the Communications Office while ensuring brand and style alignment in all print and digital communications. The Associate Director also serves as the lead editor for the school’s publications and website. The Associate Director reports to the Head of Communications.

A successful candidate will be adept at working across digital and print channels, using a variety of communications vehicles, including digital ads, print magazines, video, newsletters, and websites. This candidate will write in a clear and compelling fashion and flex their writing style to different audiences. Detail-oriented and extremely collaborative, the Associate Director of Communications is a proactive project manager and problem  solver who exercises strong judgment to support an exceptional educational experience for families and help continue to build the NCS brand and reputation.

The Associate Director of Communications will be joining a forward-looking and collaborative team at an exciting time, as the team rolls out strategic messaging and branding, digital marketing, and other efforts to tell NCS’s story in a compelling way as we begin to execute on a new set of strategic priorities for the institution.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee all Communications Office print/digital publications and website content, including weekly and monthly newsletters and family communications (e.g., Back-to-School mailings, Divisional updates).
• Oversee and maintain the school calendar.
• Serve as managing editor and lead writer of NCS Magazine, including:
• Identify stories that convey NCS’s unique character and how students, alumnae, faculty, and staff pursue the school's mission and embody its core values,
• Develop these ideas into compelling content in coordination with the Staff Writer,
• Edit content and work with a designer to develop magazine layout and spreads, and
• Coordinate and edit magazine inputs from other departments.
• Support digital marketing efforts, including increased use of video.
• Support and collaborate with departments, including Admissions and Development, to advise on, schedule the cadence of, and edit their communication content and/or marketing materials.
• Provide editing expertise for communications projects, exercising prudent judgment and alignment with the NCS style guide/visual identity, delivering constructive feedback.
• Respond to or delegate incoming communications requests from faculty and staff.
• Support and collaborate with the Communications Team with day-to-day operations.
• Flag hurdles for the Head of Communications and identify areas for improvement and innovation.
• Support the Communications Office, in coordination with the Head Communications, on special projects, as needed.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Minimum of six years of experience producing a variety of written communications that are clear, concise, engaging, and compelling and that present a clear understanding of the fundamentals of writing, including grammar, syntax, style, and punctuation.
• Superior editorial judgment, high attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy. 
• Strong interpersonal skills that allow the establishment and development of solid working relationships within a diverse community.
• Ability to work collaboratively under tight deadlines.
• Experience and skill developing priorities to manage multiple deadlines and a complex calendar of assignments.
• Superb project management skills to proactively move projects forward, navigate obstacles, and ask for help when needed.
• Experience managing and building a brand/institution’s reputation.
• Experience managing professional social media accounts and/or websites.
• Experience in video creation and editing.
• Experience and skill using a content management system for online publishing.
• Skill with employing discretion in the handling of sensitive information.
• Competence with image- and video-editing software. (NCS uses Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere.)
• Enthusiasm for the mission of National Cathedral School: We believe in the power of young women and educate them to embrace our core values of excellence, service, courage, and conscience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and skill with educational communications.
• Experience and skill working directly with the public.
• Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style.

Salary and Benefits: 

The full time salary range for this position is $90,000-$110,000.  The exact salary is determined based on experience. Benefits available include medical, dental, life insurance, retirement plan with a school contribution, free parking or transit benefits, and lunch without charge, as well as support for professional development experiences. Additional stipends are available for coaching middle or upper school sports.

To apply:  

Complete this online application.  Be prepared to upload a cover letter, resume, and provide the names and contact information of three references. References will not be contacted before an interview and discussion with the applicant.

The National Cathedral School is grounded in the Episcopal promise to honor the dignity of every human being.  We believe a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community fosters intellectual excellence and empathy needed to amplify the collective power of young women to enrich and improve a dynamic world.  We therefore seek candidates who will embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to ensure a strongly connected and engaged community in and outside of the classroom.