Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications

THE ORGANIZATION

St. Francis High School (SFHS) is a top rated, private, coeducational Catholic school situated on a 25-acre campus in Mountain View, CA.  Founded by the Brothers of Holy Cross in 1955, Saint Francis has grown into a diverse and lively community of 1,755 young men and women. The school has a distinguished reputation for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. Its graduates attend many of the finest colleges and universities in the nation, with approximately 95% attending four-year institutions and 99% enrolling in some form of higher education. Saint Francis provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment with 55% of its students coming from communities of color.

St. Francis provides a rigorous core curriculum with diverse offerings in science, humanities, arts, physical education, and technology, providing a solid foundation for students to understand and be prepared for the challenges facing the world today. Students at St Francis are encouraged to achieve their highest potential through intellectual, social, and spiritual development.

In the Heart of Silicon Valley

Since its founding 65 years ago among the historic orchards of Mountain View, Saint Francis has experienced a parallel transformation with Silicon Valley. SFHS has successfully integrated traditional education with modern scholarship and instruction, providing students and faculty with unique opportunities to become immersed in the rich culture of academic discovery, creativity, and innovation found in Silicon Valley and much of the Bay Area. Underscoring the firm belief that innovation should be broadly defined and pursued, SFHS blends teaching and learning with direct experiences and engagement in the world, including:

• Offering a comprehensive science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program to position Saint Francis graduates for success in the global economy
• Encouraging and providing time and physical space for collaboration, exploration and creativity among staff and students; and
• Forging partnerships with corporations, universities, and other leading institutions to provide students and staff with hands-on exposure to the entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley.

The Comprehensive Campaign

To help realize its vision for the future, St Francis will soon embark on a major, $100M comprehensive campaign, the most ambitious private fundraising effort in its history. The campaign will include investments in teaching excellence, financial assistance/scholarships and significant capital improvements and additions to the school’s physical plant, including a state-of-the-art academic Innovation Center and new dining commons that will enhance the quality of student life and the educational mission of the school. 

THE POSITION

The Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a long-term marketing and communications vision for the Saint Francis brand that promotes its unique position in the marketplace and community. The Director’s responsibilities include oversight of planning, developing, and implementing all marketing strategies, communications, and related services; full supervision, goal setting, performance management, and support of the marketing and communications staff; and strategic and tactical collaboration with the leadership of Saint Francis as well as with educators and colleagues throughout the school, including those working in development, alumni relations, and admissions. The Director reports to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and oversees a staff of four FTE’s. 

RESPONSIBLITIES

• Reflect, articulate, and promote the mission, vision, and identity of Saint Francis High School
• Create, implement, and evaluate the success of a comprehensive marketing and communications program that will enhance St. Francis’s image and position within the marketplace and facilitate internal and external communications
• Manage the strategic and creative design of SFHS marketing and communications activities and materials across multiple functions and departments
• Manage and mentor marketing & communications staff, including establishing, collaborating on, and measuring individual goals and overseeing day-to-day efforts to successfully deliver team goals and objectives
• Oversee editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of all school publications, including Progress magazine (bi-annual) and SFHS’s Annual Report
• Serve as a key SFHS representative/contact to the media and other external constituencies. Coordinate media interest in the school and ensure regular contact with target media. Prepare appropriate responses to media requests and provide counsel and coaching to school staff interacting with media outlets.
• Coordinate the appearance and consistency of all SFHS print and electronic material such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, etc.
• Lead and manage special marketing and communications projects that may involve special events, re-branding/logo development, capital campaign communications and outreach
• Develop and recommend short- and long-term strategies, policies and budgets for the marketing and communications program and its activities. Monitor progress, assure adherence, and evaluate performance
• Stay abreast of new developments and trends in the fields of marketing and communications, nonprofit management, and governance, as well as the daily operations of the school to help Saint Francis operate with initiative and innovation
• Manage efforts to seek regular input from the school’s key constituencies regarding the quality of programs and services and the school’s relevance and position in the community

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, and/or public relations preferred. Graduate degree and/or professional certification in a related field is desirable.

 Experience:

• Minimum of five to seven years of experience and demonstrated success in marketing, communications, or public relations, preferably in an education or not-for-profit organization
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of marketing and communications products and activities
• Extensive successful writing and editing experience with a variety of print and online communications media to engage stakeholders, donors, and other key constituents
• Experience serving as an organizational contact to media and other external groups
• Experience using interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with a wide-ranging audience, including faculty, alumni, parents, media, and outside agencies/constituencies
• Experience working with and/or providing strategic guidance regarding communications and media activities and inquiries to leadership, colleagues, faculty, students, and volunteers
• Experience developing/managing budgets and hiring, developing, and supervising staff
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications, website management, and social media content creation and management
• Experience using social media channels to share and distribute news and information and to communicate with external audiences
• Computer literacy in word processing, dbase management and page layout including Adobe Creative Suite and Apple products and other general-purpose tools (Acrobat, FTP)

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

The successful professional will have or be:

• A commitment to the mission and philosophy of Saint Francis
• A self-starter and team-player who is driven to learn and continually seek ways to improve professional skills and programs, modernize internal systems and implement best practices
• Ability to work with enthusiasm and pride as a member of the greater Saint Francis community and serve as a role model to students and peers
• Respectful and strong customer service orientation toward all members of the school’s immediate and extended communities
• A high level of creativity, initiative, attention to detail and strong organization skills
• Demonstrated and strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills. Ability to craft messages that effectively reach a broad audience
• Ability to coach and build strategic relationships with leadership, faculty/staff, and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of public relations and strategic communications principles and best practices
• Excellent managerial skills: both people management and project management
• Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills
• Knowledge of current practices in writing content for websites, social media, and all other digital and printed communication

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

A competitive salary and generous employee benefits package will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information on the opportunity, please send cover letter and resume to or contact:

David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 769 4210

david@randallsearchassociates.com

Saint Francis High School is committed to creating and a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Candidates must be able to operate a keyboard and mouse, use a telephone headset or handset, sit for extended periods of time and lift 25lbs.