DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS – immediate opening
Reports to: Director of Advancement
12-month Position – Annually Renewable Administrative Contract
 
Position Overview
Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Director of Marketing and Communications is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and elevating Forman School’s brand, reputation, and voice. As the leader of a two-person marketing and communications team, the Director serves as a trusted advisor to the Head of School, Associate Head of School and senior leadership, partnering closely with the Admission, Advancement, and Academic teams to develop integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance the School’s mission and strategic priorities. 
Forman seeks an innovative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial communications leader who is both a visionary strategist and a skilled storyteller—someone who can translate the School’s distinctive strengths into compelling narratives that inspire prospective families, engage alumni and donors, strengthen community pride, and position Forman as the nation’s leading school for students who learn differently. The successful candidate will combine creativity with data-informed decision-making, ensuring that every communication reinforces Forman’s mission, supports enrollment and philanthropy, and enhances the School’s visibility and influence while building a cohesive, authentic, and forward-looking institutional brand.
Forman’s Mission, Promise, and Core Values
Forman School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for boarding and day students with identified learning differences.  Forman develops the whole student, based on each individual’s learning profile, so that all graduates become educated, confident self-advocates throughout life.
Forman is committed to sustaining an inclusive environment that fosters a deeper understanding 
of differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, geographical origin, physical ability, and family structure.
We believe society is bettered when we learn from and embrace those with different experiences and perspectives from our own.  Our community values truth, respect and kindness.
 
Key Responsibilities
Marketing & Brand Strategy

Develop and implement a comprehensive three- to five-year strategic marketing plan aligned with the School’s Strategic Plan and institutional priorities.

Prepare and manage the annual marketing budget and operational plan with measurable objectives and outcomes.

Serve as the steward of Forman’s brand by ensuring consistency in messaging, visual identity, graphic standards, photography, videography, and overall brand experience.

Partner closely with the Admission Office to develop and execute enrollment marketing initiatives, including recruitment campaigns, advertising, publications, digital marketing, parent communications, and admissions events.

Collaborate with the Advancement Office to develop marketing strategies that support alumni engagement, annual giving, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, and community outreach.

Lead the School’s digital marketing strategy, including website marketing, social media, email marketing, digital advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), analytics, and emerging digital platforms.

Oversee the content, design, functionality, and continuous improvement of the School’s website in collaboration with internal stakeholders and outside vendors.

Coordinate photography, videography, and other visual storytelling initiatives that effectively communicate the Forman experience.

Identify and implement emerging marketing technologies, tools, and resources that improve efficiency, audience engagement, and institutional visibility.

Select, negotiate, and manage relationships with outside vendors including designers, photographers, videographers, printers, marketing consultants, and digital service providers.

Analyze marketing performance through data and analytics, providing recommendations that strengthen enrollment, engagement, and institutional awareness.

Communications & Storytelling

Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that supports the School’s mission, strategic priorities, and institutional reputation.

Develop, write, edit, and oversee the production of the School’s primary publications and communications, including magazines, newsletters, brochures, annual reports, case statements, event materials, digital communications, and other institutional publications.

Serve as lead writer and editor for executive communications, including speeches, presentations, Head of School correspondence, community messages, trustee communications, and strategic announcements.

Develop and maintain an annual editorial calendar that showcases the people, programs, achievements, and mission of the School through compelling storytelling.

Build and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, and national media through proactive public relations, press releases, story development, and media outreach.

Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership regarding institutional messaging, public relations, crisis communications, and reputation management.

Create and maintain editorial, writing, and brand standards to ensure consistency across all School communications.

Consult with faculty and staff regarding publications, presentations, and communications to ensure alignment with the School’s messaging and strategic objectives.

Assist departments in promoting School initiatives, programs, and events through effective communications planning and execution.

Support major institutional events—including Commencement, Reunion, Family Weekend, Admissions events, fundraising events, and community celebrations—through coordinated communications and promotional materials.

Supervise and mentor the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, fostering a collaborative, creative, and high-performing team environment.

Key member of the Forman Centennial Planning Committee.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Educational and Experiential Background and Credentials
Required:

Bachelor’s degree required; degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field preferred.
Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or institutional advancement, preferably within an independent school, higher education, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated success in strategic communications, brand development, enrollment marketing, digital communications, media relations, content creation, print and digital publications, website management, and integrated marketing campaigns.
Exceptional writing, editing, verbal communication, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling messaging for a variety of audiences.
Strategic thinker with excellent organizational skills, sound judgment, creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across a diverse school community and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, trustees, and external partners.

This is a full-time, twelve-month position requiring occasional evening and weekend work in support of School events and institutional priorities. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Preferred:

Experience supervising staff, managing external vendors, and overseeing departmental budgets.
Proficiency with digital marketing platforms, content management systems, social media, analytics tools, email marketing platforms, and emerging communications technologies.

 
Other Expectations 
This position is a member of a boarding school faculty. Candidates should be interested in contributing outside of the administrative office and becoming fully involved in the student life program. Faculty are expected to demonstrate respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of school life.