Campus Communications Officer

The Opportunity
Blue Ridge School is an all-boys, all-boarding college-preparatory school serving 185 students on a 751-acre campus situated along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 20 miles from Charlottesville, Virginia, Blue Ridge School is innovative in its approach to educating young men. Passionate teachers, small classes, strong relationships, a wide-range of athletic and co-curricular activities and a rigorous but supportive college prep curriculum empower Blue Ridge graduates to thrive in college and beyond. With an average class size of nine students and significant teacher autonomy, faculty help each student discover the best ways to master course material and fulfill their untapped potential.
The Campus Communications Officer (CCO) is a full time, professional employee responsible for several parts of two core duties that help Blue Ridge School achieve its admissions and advancement goals:

Capture the story of the boys and the School with photography and videography which features day-to day and week-to-week activities at BRS, both on campus and off.
Use the raw content to create high quality photo and video assets to be used for marketing, retention and school operations.

This work will be done alongside a team of External Affairs colleagues and seeks to further promote the School’s overall marketing portfolio and strategy – key messages, design and look, web and social media, as well as advertising and promotional activities.
Qualifications

S. or B.A. in a related field
Skills in Content Development for a variety of platforms – written word, photography, videography.
Camera Operation: fluency capturing photo and video with professional equipment (Sony A7 or equivalent)
Proficiency in the Adobe suite (or equivalent), focused primarily on Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects
Proficiency or ability to learn platforms such as Hubspot, Blackbaud, Vidigami
A clear understanding of and ability to articulate the value proposition of boarding schools – particularly single-gender institutions with unique, niche missions like BRS.
Comfort with autonomy and responsibility in the framework of a high performing team.
Engaging communications and interpersonal skills.
Balance goal-orientation with an eye for detail.
Analytical skills; comfort with using data in reporting and making decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Attend school functions to capture photo and video content, then process and disseminate content for use in social media, marketing and retention materials.
Reach out to students, faculty, parents and alumni as needed to independently arrange logistics and scheduling as needed.
Have an editor’s eye with the ability to review/improve a variety of materials in video, electronic, and print format.
Ensure that all marketing activities support the School’s visual and written brand standards.
Remain aware of the School’s larger marketing plan and develop redundant knowledge about the broader BRS communications effort.
Coordinate with and add value to the External Affairs Team (Admission, Advancement, Communication, Special Programs, Alumni and Parent Associations).
Monitor peer institutions’ similar activities and keep the External Affairs team updated on trends and fresh ideas.
Be an impactful member of the BRS community through participation in student life, special events and other activities.
Participate in one season of co-curricular programming and as a ½ share duty team member.
Perform other related roles as assigned by the Director of Enrollment Communications and Marketing or the Associate Head of School for External Affairs.

Why Work at Blue Ridge School?
Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or support person, a career at Blue Ridge School can bring meaning to your work. Your days are spent in an incredibly beautiful campus setting helping to shape the lives of diverse young men from many cultures and communities. You’ll enjoy a work environment that stresses collaboration and innovation. And, you’ll be immersed in the Blue Ridge culture—one that is focused on family, community, and mutual support.
Eighty percent of our faculty live on campus; and on-campus housing is provided for many positions. All employees have access to many other unique benefits, including:

Access to BRS fitness facilities and wilderness trails
Meals in the dining hall for you, your family, and your guests
A comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package with generous support for professional development and continuing education
Structured mentorship, collaborative professional development, and support for educators at every career stage; Blue Ridge fosters a culture of innovation and collegiality.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid driver’s license with good driving record; must be insurable.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.