Job Description

St. Paul Academy and Summit School seeks candidates for the position of Director of Communications and Marketing.

About St. Paul Academy and Summit School:

St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school serving more than 920 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the eastern and western suburbs.

Our mission—shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world—is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.

For additional information about the school’s curriculum, community, and culture, please visit our website at www.spa.edu.

Benefits: Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan through HealthPartners, Nice healthcare (a free virtual and in-person health plan), dental insurance, vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and free lunch during the school year. The retirement plan is through TIAA and has a generous matching contribution. The School offers a robust program of professional development, career growth, and leadership opportunities. A sabbatical program is also available. Tuition remission is also available for children of employees as well as complimentary before and after-school care.

Position Description:
The Director of Communications and Marketing provides broad and comprehensive leadership, oversight, and management for the school's external and internal marketing and communications programs. The successful candidate will have expertise in strategic communication planning and execution, superior writing skills, and a deep understanding of marketing principles and practices. The position is highly collaborative, and partners closely with the Head of School, division Principals, the Directors of Enrollment and Institutional Advancement, academic and administrative leadership, and a wide range of institutional constituencies including faculty, staff, parents, alumni/ae, Trustees, and colleagues at peer independent schools. This is a senior-level on-campus position which reports to the Head of School, serves on the school’s Head’s Council and Leadership Team, and supervises one FTE (the Marketing and Communications Manager).

Position Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and execution of a strategic communications program, encompassing both internal and external initiatives, in support of the institution’s larger strategic goals around enrollment, fundraising, parent and alumni/ae relations, and internal and external community engagement. Manages the departmental budget and adjusts investments when appropriate.

• Creates and implements an annual marketing campaign, including both print placements and digital campaigns.

• Provides high-level messaging and writing support for Head of School and senior leadership, including talking points, speeches, and schoolwide communications.

• Serves as editor-in-chief and principal writer for SPA Magazine and the Annual Report.

• Oversees and contributes to a robust portfolio of digital and print publications and collateral, including the school website (www.spa.edu), social media channels, the weekly Parent Newsletter, admission and fundraising materials; provides guidance and direction for ad hoc publications and materials in support of school initiatives, programs, and events.

• Oversees the school’s brand narrative, messaging, and assets.

• Recruits and manages a team of freelance creatives and third-party vendors, including writers, photographers, print and mailhouses, media planners, and graphic designers.

• Serves as school spokesperson, media contact, and liaison for crisis communications and emergency notification scenarios.

• Provides communications and marketing support for special school initiatives, projects, and programs, as directed by the Head of School.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred.

• Five years’ professional experience in communications, marketing, and/or public relations, ideally in a nonprofit or educational setting.

• Superior and demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. Writing samples will be requested of finalists for the position.

• Effective cross-cultural communication skills. Able to operate effectively in diverse environments and interact successfully with people from widely varying backgrounds in a friendly and professional manner.

• Experience supervising a team, including both on-site employees and off-site freelancers.

• Proficiency in and comfort with digital tools and platforms including the Google suite, Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram), website content management systems (Finalsite experience a plus) and the Adobe Creative Cloud platforms.

• Excellent project management skills.

• Commitment to SPA’s mission and values.

SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.

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