Assistant Director of Communications

Holton-Arms School seeks an Assistant Director of Communications who will serve as the second in command and a critical partner to the Director of Communications. This role has primary responsibility for managing the School’s core editorial, project management, and multimedia functions and plays a central role in advancing Holton’s voice, storytelling, and brand.

This is a highly visible, hands on leadership position for a communications professional who brings initiative, resourcefulness, and a strong bias toward execution. The Assistant Director moves complex projects from concept to completion with clarity, efficiency, and close attention to detail, ensuring consistency, quality, and momentum across all communications platforms.

The Assistant Director serves as managing editor of the School magazine, oversees brand asset management, guides digital strategy, and manages analytics and website user experience. Acting in the Director’s place when necessary, this individual ensures continuity of communications leadership and supports both day to day strategy and moments that require steady, thoughtful judgment.

This role is well suited to someone who thrives in a fast paced environment, can juggle multiple priorities with confidence, and takes pride in high quality work delivered on time and aligned with the School’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial and Magazine Management

• Partners with the Director of Communications and Head of School to ensure consistent messaging and brand storytelling across all divisions and departments.
• Collaborates with internal contributors and external partners to align all publications with Holton’s strategic messaging and tone of voice.
• Serves as managing editor of the school magazine, owning the full production cycle including story planning, writing, editing, design, and production.
• Develops and manages magazine production timelines, ensuring deadlines, quality standards, and workflows are consistently met.
• Coordinates with vendors and co manages vendor relationships to ensure efficiency, accountability, and high quality outcomes.
• Identifies and produces mission centered stories that highlight student and faculty excellence, community milestones, and the Holton spirit.
• Writes, edits, and proofreads a wide range of communications including website content, print materials, speeches, community messages, and donor and alumnae features.
• Works closely with the Brand and Design Lead on magazine layout, marketing materials, and print advertising.
• Serves as final reviewer for high level emails and approves designs when the Director of Communications is unavailable, exercising sound judgment and close attention to detail.

Photography and Multimedia Production

• Works with the Director of Communications and Brand and Design Lead to plan and manage contracted photography for school portraits, athletics, arts, and events.
• Schedules and coordinates freelance photographers for events not covered by the communications team.
• Coordinates with freelance videographers as needed, managing shoots, reviewing edits, and approving final video products.
• Posts final videos to Vimeo and YouTube and ensures consistent quality and brand alignment.
• Collaborates with divisions to schedule student and faculty participants for photo and video shoots.
• Captures photos and short form video content as needed to support daily storytelling and timely communications.

Digital Communications, Web, and Analytics

• Oversees all marketing landing pages and maintains a cohesive vision for the School’s website user experience, with particular attention to prospective families.
• Manages GA4 dashboards and analytics oversight, using data to evaluate website performance and inform ongoing strategy.
• Translates analytics into clear insights and actionable recommendations to improve engagement, effectiveness, and conversion.
• Oversees social media strategy and calendar and flags concerns or emerging issues for the Director of Communications.
• Collaborates with Admissions, Advancement, and other departments to align digital communications with institutional priorities.

Leadership, Crisis, and Media

• Serves as acting Director of Communications when needed, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision making.
• Works with the Director to develop, implement, and continuously refine streamlined systems and processes for receiving, prioritizing, and fulfilling communications requests across the School.
• Drafts, reviews, and proofs internal and external communications during urgent or sensitive situations, including crisis communications.
• Oversees and maintains the integrity of communication databases used for community wide emails and newsletters, ensuring accurate distribution lists and reliable system integration.
• Partners with the Director of Communications on managing media requests, media pitching, and media relationships.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience

• Preferred Minimum of five years experience in communications, marketing, or project management, preferably in education, nonprofit, or mission driven settings.
• Demonstrated success managing multi platform communications projects, publications, and digital campaigns from concept to completion.

Skills

Project Management and Organization

• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to establish priorities, manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong follow through, efficiency, and close attention to detail in a fast paced environment.

Communication and Collaboration

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate productively with cross functional teams and external partners.

Judgment and Autonomy

• Ability to work with a range of professionals as well as independently, take initiative, and make sound judgment calls in the absence of the Director of Communications.

Storytelling and Media

• Creative and strategic storyteller with a strong instinct for mission aligned narratives.
• Experience and familiarity working with media and managing high visibility or sensitive communications.

Writing, Editing, and Production

• Exceptional writing, copyediting, and proofreading skills.
• Proven experience managing print production, vendor relationships, web analytics, and complex communications workflows.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000 to be determined based on educational background and professional experience. Benefits include health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision; life and disability insurance; 403b retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program, tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid vacation, sick and personal days; and lunch is provided on school days.

Application Details

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and the names and contact information of three references (one of whom must be a current or most recent supervisor).

Apply here: https://www.holton-arms.edu/about/employment

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement

Holton-Arms cherishes the uniqueness of each of our members including current and former students, faculty, and staff. We seek to create an inclusive environment that sees, values, and supports diverse identities and experiences, cultivates engaging discourse, and empowers our students to be thriving members of the global community.

At Holton-Arms, each of us is responsible for fostering an equitable, respectful, and just community.