Founded in 1888, Latin is a coeducational day school serving 1,190 students in junior kindergarten through twelfth grade. Latin brings together “Latin Learners” from 76 Chicago neighborhoods and 14 suburbs and boasts a vibrant community that comprises 152 faculty, 103 staff, and approximately 4,500 living and active alums. Latin’s location in the heart of Chicago affords its community plentiful opportunities to engage, connect with, and learn from the world they live within, just steps from their door. Latin is a school with high expectations and a devoted community.
Latin’s educational approach is student-centered and individualized. By understanding how each child learns best, Latin’s teachers help students identify their passions and take on new challenges. Latin students love learning. They are encouraged to do, to create, to try, and to fail. The focus is on the process, not the outcome, which helps students build resilience, remain intrinsically motivated and succeed.
THE POSITION
Latin School of Chicago is seeking a Director of Marketing and Communications. This position reports to the Head of School and is responsible for the oversight of the Communications office which plays an integral role in promoting the school’s faculty, students, and programs within the school community as well as on a local and national level. The position currently oversees one direct report, with the opportunity to grow the team in the future.
The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for the strategic development, integration, and implementation of all aspects of the communication and marketing programs. The Communications team partners with every department at Latin to provide public relations, marketing, communication, and organizational support to all internal and external audiences, utilizing a variety of venues from traditional print to social media.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Marketing and Communications will have the following primary responsibilities:
Develop and direct a comprehensive program of external communications, print materials, media relations, advertising, digital communications, social media, and all other activities related to promoting the school and its students, faculty, and programs.
Develop and implement communications plans to support school-wide strategies and goals and bring greater recognition to the school.
Manage the school’s brand and identity, including editorial and visual guidelines.
Provide guidance for school crisis and emergency communications responses, in partnership with retained counsel and outside consultants when appropriate, and serve as the lead for the school’s internal Crisis Response Team.
Evaluate and enhance communication platforms to improve functionality and efficiency, including intranet, email system, website, emergency outreach, and social media channels.
Serve as chief editor for school publications.
Partner with the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, and Board chair on leadership communications.
Partner with senior administrators on planning and communications support of major initiatives, and collaborate with the Development and Enrollment Management departments to develop strategic communications that support the school’s revenue goals.
Collaborate with the Parent Association to support and coordinate communication efforts.
Serve as communications liaison to the school’s Board of Trustees, including reporting regularly on office activities and attending board functions as requested.
Network with colleagues in the field through participation in conferences and professional associations in order to represent the Latin School and seek and share knowledge about new trends.
Lead, mentor, develop, and support Communications Office staff.
Develop and manage the Communications Office budget.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will possess most of the following qualifications:
At least seven years’ leadership experience in the communications field (e.g. public affairs, journalism, advertising, or marketing). Experience in an independent school setting is an advantage.
Genuine commitment to education and desire to support Latin’s mission.
Strong leadership and administration skills with solid experience managing, mentoring, and motivating staff, along with the ability to inspire colleagues toward accomplishing common objectives.
A growth mindset, openness to change, creative problem-solving skills, high energy, and curiosity.
A collaborative working style with the ability to gracefully manage and prioritize requests in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills, along with outstanding writing, editing, presenting, and persuasion skills.
Comfort and confidence speaking and presenting in front of senior leaders, parents, volunteers, Trustees, and all members of the Latin community.
Expertise with media relations, crisis communication, and print/digital design and publication.
Strong computer skills and knowledge of web-based communications.
A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including experience interacting empathetically with parties of varying views and backgrounds, and pursuing measurable outcomes that advance DEI goals.
A Bachelor’s degree is required, and a graduate level degree is preferred.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $145,000 to $160,000. Latin School of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; parking and transportation benefits; school-provided lunch; on-site fitness center; tuition remission; family leave; professional development funds; Employee Assistance Plan (EAP); life, long-term care, and disability insurance, and more.
Since 1888, Latin has been committed to academic excellence in an environment that creates a life-long love of learning and supports students as they pursue their passions. Our school is home to students from throughout the city and suburbs and we value the variety of experiences that they bring to our learning environment. “Of Chicago” is more than a part of our school’s name – those words help to define the school itself.
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