Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

Department: Marketing & Communications
Reports To: President
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-Time, 12-Month Position

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy (FSHA) is a Catholic, Dominican, independent college-preparatory school dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women. Rooted in the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Service, FSHA prepares students to lead lives of purpose, integrity, and impact.

The Director of Marketing and Communications serves as the school’s chief storyteller, brand steward, and strategic communications leader, responsible for advancing FSHA’s mission, visibility, and enrollment goals through integrated marketing, communications, and public relations strategies.

This position leads the development and execution of a comprehensive, mission-driven communications strategy that strengthens FSHA’s brand, supports student recruitment and enrollment, enhances alumnae and donor engagement, and promotes the life and accomplishments of the school community.

The Director balances high-level strategic leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring excellence, consistency, and alignment across all internal and external communications.

• Develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-channel communications and marketing strategy that advances the school’s mission and strategic priorities. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and senior leadership team on communications, branding, and reputation management.
• Establish annual goals, KPIs, and reporting systems to evaluate marketing effectiveness and enrollment impact.
• Lead institutional messaging strategy to ensure consistency, clarity, and mission alignment across all platforms.
• Identify opportunities to elevate FSHA’s visibility and reputation in the regional and national independent school landscape.

• Serve as the primary steward of the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy brand, ensuring a consistent voice, visual identity, and messaging across all print, digital, and physical communications.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive brand strategy that reflects the school's mission, Dominican values, and strategic priorities.
• Lead institutional storytelling that highlights academics, student life, faith formation, athletics, arts, leadership, philanthropy, and community engagement.
• Protect and enhance the school's reputation through proactive communications, strategic messaging, and thoughtful brand management.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce brand standards, guidelines, templates, and visual identity systems across all school departments, programs, athletic teams, clubs, and initiatives.
• Partner with school leaders to develop cohesive branding and marketing strategies for key initiatives, signature programs, and institutional campaigns.
• Oversee the creative direction, production, and quality control of all communications and marketing materials to ensure brand consistency and excellence.
• Supervise the creation of high-quality creative assets—including graphic design, photography, videography, digital content, and print collateral—and provide hands-on creative leadership as needed.
• Establish efficient creative workflows, project management processes, and production standards to ensure timely delivery of high-quality work.
• Manage creative project budgets, institutional assets, and vendor relationships to support departmental goals and maximize resources.
• Stay current on branding, design, digital communications, and marketing best practices, maintaining proficiency in industry-standard creative platforms to support team success during high-demand periods.

• Partner closely with the Admissions Office to design and execute integrated enrollment marketing strategies.
• Support recruitment, yield, and retention efforts through targeted campaigns and storytelling.
• Oversee digital marketing strategies including SEO, email campaigns, paid advertising, and content marketing.
• Use data and analytics to evaluate enrollment funnel performance and optimize marketing efforts.

• Oversee strategy, content, and performance of the FSHA website as the primary digital hub for the school.
• Ensure all website content is accurate, engaging, current, and aligned with brand standards.
• Lead email communications, digital newsletters, and online publications.
• Monitor and analyze digital engagement metrics to inform ongoing strategy.

• Lead the school’s social media strategy across all platforms.
• Develop engaging, mission-driven content that reflects the FSHA student experience.
• Oversee photography, videography, and multimedia storytelling initiatives.
• Manage content calendars and ensure consistent, timely communications.

• Serve as the primary media contact for the school.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and education-focused media outlets.
• Develop press materials, announcements, speeches, and key institutional messaging.
• Proactively manage the school’s public image and external reputation.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive crisis communications plan.
• Serve as a key advisor during crisis or emergency situations.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and mission-aligned communication during sensitive situations.
• Coordinate communication across leadership teams during urgent events.

• Collaborate with the Advancement Office on alumnae relations, donor communications, fundraising campaigns, and stewardship messaging.
• Support development of key publications including annual reports, campaign materials, and event communications.
• Strengthen engagement with parents, alumnae, and the broader FSHA community through strategic communications.

• Provide leadership and direction for marketing and communications staff, vendors, and creative partners.
• Manage departmental projects, budgets, and external partnerships.
• Collaborate closely with Admissions, Advancement, Principal’s Office, Athletics, and other departments.
• Attend key school events, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support storytelling and community engagement.
• Ensure timely delivery of all communications with a high standard of accuracy and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or brand management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Strong experience managing multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of digital marketing, social media, content strategy, and brand development.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Experience in Catholic independent schools, higher education, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience with enrollment marketing and admissions partnership.
• Familiarity with photography, videography, and creative direction.
• Experience with analytics tools, CRM platforms, and digital marketing systems.

• Deep appreciation for mission-driven education and Catholic Dominican values
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
• Exceptional communicator and storyteller
• Strong project management and organizational ability
• Collaborative leader who builds trust across departments
• Creative, innovative, and detail-oriented

FSHA offers a competitive full-time hourly range of $110,000- 125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous paid days off for holidays, vacation, personal days, and sick time
   
• 100% employer-paid long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance
   
• Professional development reimbursement
   
• 403(b) retirement plan with 5% employer contribution after one year
   
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with shared premium costs
   
• Free lunch provided daily
   
• A welcoming, collaborative work environment on a beautiful hilltop campus in La Cañada

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to work at a computer workstation, communicate effectively in person and by telephone, and move throughout campus to attend meetings and events. The employee must be able to navigate the school campus, including the regular use of stairs, as many buildings and work areas require stair access. The employee may occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Diversity is a vital element of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s mission. We seek to create and sustain a vibrant, inclusive community that honors the dignity and uniqueness of every individual as part of the diversity of God’s creation. FSHA is committed to fostering a culture of belonging, respect, and equity.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is an equal opportunity employer and evaluates all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

In accordance with California’s Fair Chance Act, FSHA will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process. Applicants requiring assistance may contact [email protected].

California Compliance Notice

In accordance with California law (Education Code §44939.5, as amended by SB 848), applicants for positions with educational institutions are required to disclose all current and former employment with California educational institutions. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of required employment verifications.