| Harrisburg Academy seeks an accomplished and innovative Director of Admissions and Marketing to enhance communications with all constituencies, raise the school’s visibility, and advance its brand. Harrisburg Academy, founded in 1785, is a thriving PK-12 co-educational, independent day school serving a diverse population of 330 students. The school is located in Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania. The Campus is beautiful, safe, and well-maintained and support the school’s educational mission. The school boasts a long tradition of excellence, based on a comprehensive curriculum and co-curricular programs delivered by teachers, coaches, and advisors, who are imbued with a commitment to bringing out the full potential of every student. Harrisburg Academy graduates matriculate at outstanding colleges and universities across the country. The program at the lower division builds a strong foundation that supports academic success, while promoting creativity and experimentation. In the middle school, students deepen their knowledge of the core academic disciplines and may choose from a range of elective options. Significant emphasis is placed on social and emotional development. The upper school program balances rigorous academics including the International Baccalaureate with a full complement of visual and performing arts, athletics, and clubs that appeal to a wide range of student interests. The Center for Experiential Learning and Innovation is a resource that enables all students to maximize their learning potential. The school leadership is highly collaborative and committed to building on the school’s many strengths. Even though the school is well-managed, the leadership believes that admissions and fund-raising goals can be obtained by more effectively communicating the school’s value to both internal and external constituencies. Harrisburg Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. BASIC FUNCTION
Reporting to the Head of School and working with the senior administrative team, the Director of Admissions and Marketing will lead, plan, direct and implement overall strategies for all marketing and communications on behalf of Harrisburg Academy in order to raise the visibility, advance its brand, and articulate clear messaging to internal and external constituencies. The Director will oversee and actively participate in the creation, design, budget and production of regularly produced events and all school publications. Additionally, the Director will coordinate all advertising, publicity, and public relations and serve as the school’s spokesperson when so designated by the Head of School. The primary objective of the Director of Admissions and Marketing is to create and communicate a compelling story about Harrisburg Academy. This message should lead to increased admissions applications and should support the efforts of the Development Department. The Director of Marketing and
Communications will oversee and collaborate with one staff member focused on school-wide communications as well as three staff members focused on admissions. The Director of Admissions and Marketing will be expected to: - Rapidly acclimate to the Harrisburg Academy; become familiar with the history, culture, traditions and constituencies of the school; understand the educational philosophy; know all marketing and communications activities of the department.
- Develop marketing and communications strategies and plans that advance the Academy and drive increased engagement with prospective and current constituencies.
- Collaborate with administrative departments in articulating their purpose and ongoing work. Specifically, this includes the Head of School, Development, Admissions, Academic Divisions, and Institutional Technology.
- Ensure brand and messaging quality and consistency and establish guidelines to apply across all departments, activities and events at the school and among professional and volunteer leadership.
- In collaboration with the admission staff, design strategies and implement concrete plans to increase student applications and maintain prospective student and family interest.
- In collaboration with the Director of Development, design strategies and implement concrete plans to capitalize on increased visibility and clear branding of the school to drive increased contributed revenue.
- Plan for and deploy digital activities: website, online campaigns, email marketing, social media and digital content production.
- Plan and manage the department budget in order to maximize the effectiveness of all communications. This includes bidding out production of materials when appropriate to outside vendors.
- Create and execute a plan that regularly places the school in local media. Manage all messaging in the media.
- Review, revise, and update as necessary the school’s crisis communication plan.
- Manage all aspects of the school’s print and electronic communications, ensuring the continuity of the school’s brand and logo. Oversee the work of graphic designers and print vendors in production of printed materials and web visuals.
- Engage actively in professional development in order to remain current in best practices related to independent school communications, emerging social media, and effective marketing and advertising strategies.
- Provide staff leadership to the department in all respects, including assisting in hiring, day-to-day management and motivation of marketing staff and contractors, ensuring professional development and excellence.
- Participate actively in the work and success of the senior leadership team and provide support for school events and administrative jobs as requested.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE The Director of Admissions and Marketing will have the following types of experience and qualifications: - A BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to marketing and communications; an advanced degree is preferred.
- Leadership experience in marketing and communications, preferably in an independent school or other non-profit organization.
- Outstanding speaking, writing, and editing skills.
- Deep knowledge of the principles of marketing and communications and fluency in using social media effectively.
- Ability to develop, monitor, and adhere to budgets and production schedules.
- Ability to create print materials using Photoshop, InDesign, or other comparable layout software.
- Demonstrated success in bringing regular, positive media attention to an organization.
- Demonstrated success in supervising and managing a staff.
- Demonstrated success in managing multiple projects with shifting priorities and competing deadlines.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The successful candidate should be: - A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to Harrisburg Academy’s mission and values;
- A good listener and strategist; comfortable receiving input from many sources, and able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan;
- Intrepid yet tactful; determined yet respectful of others’ concerns; someone with the flexibility and creativity needed to find alternative ways to reach objectives when barriers arise; a skilled negotiator who does not drive him/herself or others into a corner;
- A team builder – confident and competent, with strong skills in management and leadership; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities with different work styles;
- A hard worker with a high energy level; a “doer” with a willingness to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of development and advancement activities;
- Emotionally mature with a very good sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations.
Harrisburg Academy offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The Academy is an equal opportunity employer. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter with contacts of at least three references to Adrian Allan, by June 28, 2019 via email only: diradmissions@harrisburgacademy.org. Review of applications will begin immediately. No phone calls, please. Questions can be directed to the same email address. |
