The Opportunity:Founded in 1888 Kiski is one of the most established small boarding schools in Pennsylvania and in the United States. Home to 200 students, Kiski is a dynamic and vibrant community fully committed to living out its mission of preparing students for success in college and in life. The 24-25 school year marked the start of a new era for Kiski as the school launched co-education and welcomed an inaugural cohort of young women. At this exciting moment, Kiski is searching for its next Director of Communications and Marketing, someone who will masterfully tell Kiski's story and connect our small but remarkable school to the many families locally, nationally, and globally, who would benefit from a Kiski education.Specific Duties and Responsibilities Include:Strategic Communication
- Work collaboratively across the school community to create and manage content that tells the story of the values, programs, place, and people that make Kiski a truly exceptional school.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with Kiski's mission, values, and strategic priorities, and that thoughtfully and effectively supports the enrollment and advancement offices.
- Collaborate with school leadership to promote Kiski to a variety of constituencies through engaging, creative, and captivating storytelling across different mediums.
Brand Management and Messaging
- Create brand content and ensure consistency of the school's brand and messaging across all platforms and materials.
- Create, maintain, and update brand guidelines to accurately reflect the school's identity. Oversee third party media contracts and vendors.
Digital and Social Media Strategy
- Oversee Kiski's website, social media accounts, and other digital platforms.
- Create content for digital platforms, with an emphasis on video, to engage prospective families, donors, and other community members.
Publications
- Oversee the production of key digital and print publications such as the Kiski Bulletin, the annual report of giving, as well as various newsletters, and admissions materials.
Event Promotion and Management
- Promote school events including open houses, alumni receptions, regional fundraising events, and other special occasions, ensuring that the events are well-publicized through a mix of print and digital channels.
Crisis Communications
- In close collaboration with the Head of School, develop and execute communication plans in times of crisis or emergency to ensure transparent, accurate, and timely communication.
Data and Analytics
- Skillfully use data and analytics to monitor the effectiveness of the school's communication efforts.
- Use data-driven insights to iteratively refine strategies and improve engagement with Kiski's communications platforms. Clearly and effectively communicate data and analytics metrics to school leadership.
Additional Responsibilities and Duties:
- Stay up-to-date with the latest communications and marketing and digital media trends, technologies, and best practices; make strategy suggestions when appropriate.
- Work closely and effectively with Kiski's technology department when there are projects that require collaboration.
- Be fully engaged in school life by performing standard faculty duties like residence life duties, advising, and possibly leading or assisting with one of Kiski's athletic or co-curricular programs.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in communications or public relations, preferably in education or a non-profit environment.
- Superior writing, editing, story-telling, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience and proficiency with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc...).
- Significant knowledge of, and experience with, social media platforms and management tools, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.
- Significant knowledge of, and experience with, content management systems (CMS); Blackbaud and HTML knowledge is a plus. Experience working with Wordpress is also a plus.
- Experience with SEO and digital marketing.
- Experience with digital analytics tools
- Exceptionally strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- A deep love for the work of small, independent, boarding schools and a willingness to be an engaged member of the Kiski community.