Assistant Director of Communications

Assistant Director of Communications
 
This position would be responsible for managing the school’s daily internal and external, communications–creating and organizing content for VCS.  Having an eye for aesthetics and close attention to detail is essential for this role.  The Assistant Director of Communications will be responsible for:
Actively pursue news stories, photo ops, and social media content. Develop relationships with staff and students, and maintain a visible presence, visiting classrooms and attending events to capture photos, videos, and story content for use on social media, the VCS blog, and the school magazine. Identify potential long-form stories and staff contributors for the VCS magazine.
In conjunction with the Director of Communications, manage annual communications calendar. Use the school-wide calendar and past communications calendars to maintain an accurate understanding of when and how events and information should be communicated to various constituents. Serve as the first point of contact for staff wishing to send internal and external communications, responding to their requests in a timely and helpful manner. Provide weekly communications schedules to the Director of Advancement.
Help create and maintain an organizational system for digital assets. Support the Advancement staff in managing the functional storage of current and archival images. Locate and share sets of photos with staff or parents when requested.
Manage digital systems including VCS website, staff and parent portals, and distribution lists. Collaborate with website providers and advancement staff to maintain elements of the website: replace photos, rewrite copy, and think creatively about the best ways to present information.
  Working with the Director of Communications, set up daily communications each morning in our school notification system; lead the process of receiving appropriate approvals and scheduling emails on a deliberate timeline. Draft new letters and edit pre-existing communications as necessary. Send tests of daily communications to appropriate groups of administrators and incorporate their edits, following up with them as necessary to ensure communications are approved in a timely manner and the communications calendar stays on schedule.
  In conjunction with the Director of Communications, create and publish parent, staff, and administrative calendars. Ensure events are listed accurately and maintain up-to-date calendars.
In conjunction with the Director of Communications, publish the annual yearbook.   Assist with communicating with the vendor, graphic design, photographs, and layout of the annual yearbook.
  Assist the Director of Communications as a member of the digital marketing team . Implement recommendations, collaborate on social media ads and other marketing materials.  Assist with monthly analytic updates for communication team meetings.
Serve as a member of the crisis communications team. Draft or edit time-sensitive letters, occasionally outside of working hours. Support crisis communications strategy and building a robust inventory of letters for various crisis-level scenarios.
Pursue professional development opportunities.   Attend conferences and professional meetings in order to remain current with communication and marketing practices.
Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by the Director of Communication, Director of Advancement, or Head of School.
Required Skills

Exceptional verbal, writing, editing, proofreading skills
Experience with digital photography and video
Strong work ethic and high level of integrity
Ability to write in a variety of styles for different audiences/uses
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize a multitude of tasks by volume, urgency, etc.
Resourceful and attentive to detail and accuracy
Tactful and discreet

Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others
High energy and enthusiastic about working in an academic atmosphere
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage effectively with individuals of all ages and at all levels of the school
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite (experience working with Finalsite and Blackbaud a plus)
Comfortable working with and learning different database systems
Familiarity with Photoshop/Lightroom/Adobe Creative Suite a plus
Available to work evenings and weekends as necessary for school events
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a similar field

This is a full-time, in-person, 12-month position.
Salary Range $80,000 – $95,000 based on experience
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and photography and writing samples to [email protected].
 
MISSION STATEMENT
Village Community School develops self-motivated students who value the challenging and rewarding process of learning as an integral part of life. We choose to be a diverse community where equity, creativity and critical thinking are essential to the rigorous education we provide. Our graduates are skilled and confident, able to advocate for themselves and others. They are well prepared for high school and for their futures in an increasingly complex and dynamic world.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Village Community School is strengthened and enriched by the diversity of our students, families, and staff. We are committed to cultivating intellectual, social and emotional growth in an inclusive environment where diverse experiences and perspectives are essential to the rigorous education we provide.
WHO WE ARE
Village Community School opened its doors to students in September 1970. To this day, VCS continues to be the leader in New York City K-8 education. At VCS, our structure and program spur young minds to seek patterns and connections between subject matter, deepening understanding while fueling the curiosity that creates self-motivated critical thinkers. Exciting epiphanies happen every day at VCS. With social studies at the core of our curriculum, VCS prepares students for a complex, interconnected world.
The K-8 years are critically important to a child’s academic and social development. At VCS, we devote all our resources to helping students establish an unabashed love of learning and the resilient self-confidence that will serve them well for a lifetime. We take our students seriously. We know how sophisticated young minds can be when offered opportunities to tackle the big questions and stretch beyond typical expectations. Our K-8 structure also provides many opportunities for students to be leaders. They best demonstrate what it means to value and encourage each other, developing rewarding relationships across age groups based on trust and mutual reliance.
 
VCS offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package. VCS is deeply committed to diversity among our staff, and applicants of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Based on experience