Washington Montessori School 

Job posting: Director of Marketing and Communications

August, 2023

Washington Montessori School (WMS) seeks a Director of Marketing and Communications. The Director of Marketing and Communications tells the WMS story in ways that attract and retain families,  donors and staff members in support of the WMS mission. Reporting to the Head of School, the Director is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote and enhance the image and reputation of Washington Montessori School. The Director leads a marketing team and collaborates with all school departments to achieve enrollment and fundraising goals while maintaining the school's mission and values.

Located in Litchfield County, CT, WMS is less than an hour from Great Barrington, MA, less than two hours from NYC, and an easy day trip to Boston. 

Founded in 1965, Washington Montessori School exists to teach and nurture the skills necessary for success in a changing world through a foundation of Montessori philosophy and principles and best educational practices. WMS also upholds the highest standards of independent school education as articulated in the Standards of the Connecticut Association Independent Schools, Principles of Good Practice of the National Association of Independent Schools, and the American Montessori Society’s Philosophy and Practice and Code of Ethics. Washington Montessori School hires skilled, passionate, dedicated educators who demonstrate our core values: kindness and respect for others, a reverence for human potential, and a flexible, resilient growth mindset. 

Successful candidates will join a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking teaching community of over 55 adults serving 260 students from 18 months through 8th grade. This is a 12 month, full-time position with competitive salary and benefits. 

To Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing the alignment of your skills with the position described above to Head of School Launa Schweizer lschweizer@washingtonmontessori.org and Office Manager Valerie Hawes vhawes@washingtonmontessori.org 

Washington Montessori School upholds a commitment to Montessori education, offering limitless opportunities for growth, challenge, and mastery. Our deeply-rooted community of families and educators fosters an inclusive environment where children develop their innate joy of learning, embrace their individual and collective potential, and choose paths to lives of integrity, purpose, and fulfillment. We model and inspire independence, belonging, and a reverence for human potential.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing plans to reach varied constituencies and promote the school's brand identity across all channels (web, social media, email, print, and on campus experiences.)
• Create and implement effective digital marketing campaigns to enhance the school's online presence through the website and other channels to reach a wider audience.
• Collaborate with the enrollment office to create and implement recruitment strategies, increase enrollment, retain current students, and publicize open house events and campus visits for prospective students and their families.
• Work with the development team to communicate fundraising campaigns and donor engagement initiatives that align with the school's strategic initiatives.
• Use quantitative and qualitative data to lead projects in support of all advancement initiatives, increasing the school’s overall revenue in support of the mission. 
• Serve as the steward of the WMS brand, considering how it comes to life for individuals and groups. Provide direction to the administrative team and to colleagues on how to use the brand to inspire confidence and enhance the School’s reputation.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to promote academic and co-curricular programs, achievements, alum engagement, and other school events.
• Manage vendors while developing and monitoring the marketing budget, tracking expenses, and ensuring cost-effectiveness. Provide strategic direction and help our partners create great work for the school.
• Oversee communication, including the creation of guidelines, templates, and tools that enable internal groups to enhance communications. Oversee content planning, creation, and dissemination to ensure that we are effectively illustrating our academic philosophy, vision, and mission.
• Make our digital platforms as compelling and useful as possible by providing coaching and direction to the colleagues who maintain them.
• Manage public relations: Serve as WMS’s public relations point person, managing relationships with members of the press and external partners.
• Analyze and report on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, including enrollment and fundraising data, to inform future marketing decisions.
• Draft pieces for internal and external audiences to convey timely and detailed messages from the head, board, leadership team, etc. 
• Curate and/or generate weekly newsletters, social media posts, and other regular communications pieces on behalf of the school
• Curate and/or generate the brand and media assets (video, photography, logos, style guide, etc.) for the school.

Requirements: 

• Five  or more years experience in Marketing and Communications
• Excellent references
• A Bachelor’s Degree
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to represent data effectively
• The skills to manage and inspire colleagues, vendors and volunteers
• The desire and ability to learn about Montessori education and to work collaboratively with parents and colleagues
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Highest level of commitment to maintaining confidentiality of data
• Willingness to learn about and enact Montessori Peace and Justice principles, including best practices for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Qualified individuals from all backgrounds and industries are strongly encouraged to apply. 

About Washington Montessori School

Washington Montessori School is an engaging and substantive academic environment supported by a deeply-rooted and diverse community of families and educators. Our students learn to recognize their individual and collective potential, develop thoughtful approaches to learning, and choose paths to responsible and fulfilling lives.

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