Marketing and Communications Specialist

REPORTS TO: Director of Marketing and Communications

SCHEDULE: 12-month staff position

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Marketing and Communications Specialist is flexible and solution-oriented; takes initiative; communicates clearly and concisely in many formats, across multiple platforms, from print to PR to social media and the web; and creates content that is appealing to an array of target audiences. As a creative team player, the candidate is a skilled and imaginative writer with an eye for detail and who is passionate about words, stories, and marketing. The candidate should be resourceful, organized, and proactive, able to juggle many tasks at once while remaining self-sufficient. The position requires an experienced professional with the demonstrated ability to create compelling content that is goal oriented and supports and advances specific strategies of admission and advancement, in particular.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain a compelling narrative, and a unique and strong voice for all communications based on the brand and messaging platform of the school, maintaining quality, accuracy, authenticity, editorial style, and “voice” across all content types.
• Conceptualize, research, and write dynamic content for the school’s magazine, website, press releases, blogs, weekly e-newsletters, announcements, scripts, constituent letters, direct mail, social media, and other communications.
• Manage the development, design, and production of the school’s semiannual magazine – its flagship publication; serve as editor of the magazine, which includes substantive story development, research, writing and editing; proofreading and fact checking; working with designers, contributing writers, artists, and photographers; and interviewing alumni, parents, students, and faculty; develop new and engaging methods for the magazine’s online presence with an eye toward innovation and expansion.
• Establish and maintain productive, collaborative working relationships with other offices on campus to ensure that all communications are effective, meet determined objectives, and conform to the school’s standards and guidelines.
• Collaborate regularly with members of the admission and the advancement offices on specific communications and writing projects, providing significant writing and support for major and small marketing and communications projects.
• Manage and expand, with the director, the school’s media and public relations efforts.
• Remain integrated with and attuned to the daily life of the school, reporting on people, events, activities, achievements, and programs.
• Support the creation of a broad range of communications within the department, and provide general communications support, including writing and editing the work of others, as needed for other departments (i.e. head of school, student life, academics, and athletics)
• Assume other responsibilities as needed, such as event reporting, photography, videography, occasional evening and weekend assistance, and general communications work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field and at least five years of relevant work experience with advanced editing, writing, and proofreading skills, preferably with magazines and school communications
• 3-5 years of experience in related field, or commensurate advanced education
• Experience with managing and writing for publications (magazines) and a general understanding of today’s marketing and communications practices.
• Experience developing smart, creative, strategic marketing copy, both print and digital – background and understanding of SEO writing preferred.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working on communications for boarding schools, independent schools and/or higher education is preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, OneDrive, and other MSO for file management, calendaring, etc., and website content; ability to learn new software and web-based systems, including content management systems (CMS); Word Press experience a plus.
• Personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and interest in creating an inclusive experience for all Cheshire Academy constituents.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Impeccable spelling and contemporary grammar skills; eye for adherence to editorial style
• Strong writing skills: demonstrated ability to write and edit successful content for multiple audiences, publishing to a variety of traditional media as well as digital and social platforms; ability to adopt and develop a brand voice.
• Extremely detail-oriented; must possess superior organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple projects while working effectively to set and meet deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.
• A mind for storytelling, and ability to seek out story opportunities and follow through to develop meaningful content.
• Experience with photography and videography preferred.

Please apply directly on our website at Cheshire Academy

Click on open positions.

With your application, please provide the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• 3-5 writing samples in varied mediums, styles, and for different purposes; these can include, but are not limited to:
  • Press releases, magazine features, web copy, blogging, advertising, print pieces, advancement, social media campaigns, or other marketing collateral.