The Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing leads all communication strategies and marketing initiatives in the School, working with various constituency groups and community members to provide strategic vision in these areas. The individual must be a strong communicator, have excellent written, presentation, oral communications and interpersonal skills. The individual must possess strong leadership skills, be able to motivate and influence others. S/he must be able to think creatively and strategically, have excellent judgment and be able to work in a changing environment.
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to its success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.
INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
Works with all school constituency members including students, faculty, parent volunteers, and alumni.
SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS
A major part of this position is articulating the narrative of our community. Using imagination, creativity and an exceptional command of language to weave together the stories of Heathwood Hall takes a particular gift. The School needs someone who can create with words, pictures, and ideas the rich life of our school in a way that engages alumni, parents, friends of the School, and potential families/supporters of the School. This is a high-profile position which requires a strong ability to enhance the relationships between the School and the multiple external constituencies that contribute to the School’s success.
This position has responsibilities for working with all members of the School and senior volunteers to develop and implement marketing and communications strategies and approaches. Strong leadership, appropriate procedures, correct information, foresight and diplomacy are essential skills. The candidate selected will understand the importance of communication strength and will uphold the standards of excellence required for success.
Strategy Development and Oversight
Provides strong, effective and highly-visible, strategic leadership in the School’s Marketing and Communications
Develop and recommend an annual strategic plan for the Marketing and Communications department.
The plan will set out objectives, plans, and specific activities to be pursued in each area of responsibility.
This plan will be developed in the context of the School’s strategic and operating plans and will be directed at supporting the objectives established in those plans.
All-school Publications
Annual School Magazine
State of the School mailer
The Week Ahead and Newsletters
Create the All-School Shout Out section of the weekly newsletter
Create and publish end-of-year newsletter of honor rolls and accolades
Website
Maintain and update copy and photography on website
Ads and Media
Create, schedule, purchase and budget for marketing ads
Photography and Video Production
Curate, inventory, and manage photography and videos for the School in conjunction with the Visual Communications Director
Head of School Correspondence
Provide writing and editing to support the Head of School’s office
Support Additional On-Campus Departments
Offer support for Admissions, Development, Academic Divisions, and The Highlander Club (Athletic booster club)
Brand and Branded Materials
Update style guide annually
Review branded materials to ensure adherence to our brand standards
Press Releases and Media
Write and submit press releases to local media when needed
Serve as the School’s primary point of contact with the media—field questions, respond to requests for interviews, etc., be present with the media when they’re on campus and/or interviewing Heathwood employees
Event Promotion
Promote events school-related events and opportunities
Budget
Manage department budget, pay invoices, hire, pay, and manage freelancers
Proofreading
Provide writing and editing support to anyone on campus as needed
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
A bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, social media, communications, or a related field is preferred but not required.
Individuals must possess a minimum of three years combined marketing and communications experience in an organization involving a significant number of people with diverse and varied interests and backgrounds.
Experience must include strategic planning, communications planning and management, marketing and media relations.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills along with copy editing experience. Also required are marketing, advertising, and media experience, particularly in the area of social media.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing works throughout the year. Work is performed largely independently, in consultation with the Head of School and senior administration. Some evening commitments are required. Position to begin August 1, 2022.
Compensation for this position is dependent upon experience.
Excellent communication skills - both oral and written - are a must. This position will require a Criminal Background Check.
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (HHES) is an independent, Episcopal day school founded in
1951 that serves 730+ children ages 2 through Grade 12. Just minutes away from the urban
grandeur of South Carolina’s capital city, Heathwood Hall is a serene, environmental oasis
nestled on 122 acres of wooded wetlands. The campus is bordered on the west by the
Congaree River, and on the north, east and south by lush farmlands.
HHES has long been known as Columbia’s premier independent school. Its tradition of academic excellence is coupled with a longstanding commitment to experiential learning that has led to the development of many distinctive programs.
Holding true to its Episcopal heritage, HHES celebrates and seeks to develop the whole child, and to develop tenacious, sophisticated thinkers who value service to others over self-interest. HHES further supports the development of the whole child through a rich array of extracurricular offerings that create ample opportunities for students to find and nurture their passions beyond the classroom.
HHES believes that children learn best when they are truly known and supported by their teachers. The school’s abiding commitment to bui...lding strong relationships between students and teachers allows the opportunity for each child to be met where they are in their educational and developmental journey, as opposed to taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
While HHES’s outcomes are second-to-none—its students compete nationally and achieve at the highest levels—each student’s Heathwood experience is unique, reflective of his or her interests and abilities, challenges and talents, goals and ethos. HHES graduates don’t just master the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and beyond; they know themselves, and know how to advocate for themselves, in ways that set them apart from most of their peers. They leave Heathwood prepared not only to take on our dynamic world, but to transform it.
While the school community includes members of many faith traditions, Heathwood is an Episcopal School where all students and faculty gather, by school division, for worship and prayer each Wednesday in the on-campus Chapel of the Epiphany. The school is affiliated with the Episcopal diocese and benefits from a supportive Episcopal community in Columbia. It is a school that engenders strong loyalty and strong connections, and promotes an authentic spirit of inclusivity, acceptance, and care for each individual.
Today, HHES seeks an experienced development professional who appreciates the culture of this exemplary place, shares it values, and will cultivate relationships and gifts to ensure the betterment of the school.
The Community | Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina is a city convenient to mountains and beaches. In just two hours you can be on a beach in Charleston, SC or head the opposite direction two hours toward the upstate and find yourself in the mountains. Sporting News recently recognized Columbia as one of the “Best Sports Cities;” residents love to support their local college teams including the University of South Carolina’s Gamecocks. The city also has a more refined side and is home to the Columbia Museum of Art, the SC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Columbia City Ballet, and a myriad of performing arts groups. Columbia has received numerous accolades for its cost of living, climate, job outlook, education, the arts, health care and recreation.
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