Director, Marketing and Communications

 Job Description: Director of Communications and Marketing

Date Updated:    January 2025                                          FLSA Status:             Exempt

Reports To: Superintendent                                        Employee Group:      Act 93

Hours Per Day:   Full-time (8.0 hours)                             Days Per Year:          260

Job Summary:   Provide strategic leadership for the District’s communications and marketing efforts to support its mission of "Every Student Every Day." Design and implement effective communication strategies across diverse media platforms to highlight District goals, achievements, programs, and key updates for employees, parents, and the broader community. Strengthen school-community relationships by showcasing the District’s value and fostering partnerships to support educational initiatives. Identify and cultivate revenue opportunities with community partners to enhance programs. Lead crisis communication efforts, ensuring timely and accurate information reaches all stakeholders. Collaborate with administration to develop and execute comprehensive internal and external communication strategies.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution (preferred).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field (required).
• A minimum of five (5) years proven experience in marketing, communications, or related field.
• Experience participating in or leading a non-profit Board (preferred).
• Strong understanding of the communications process, including expertise in social media marketing and various communication platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in public relations including writing reports, new releases, brochures, video presentations, and other various media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships within the school and community
• Familiarity with District programs is an asset.
• Current (dated within five years) Child Abuse, PA State Criminal History, and PDE FBI Clearances as required by the Child Protective Services Law and PA School Code.

Duties and Responsibilities (including but may not be limited to):

Communications

• Newsletters: Develop, design, proofread, and publish content for District newsletters using the Smore platform.
• Internal and External Communications: Draft and distribute general, non-emergency, weather, and emergency communications; prepare and release press statements as needed.
• Media Requests: Respond to media inquiries and serve as the District’s spokesperson when required.
• Website Management: In conjunction with the technology department, create, update, and maintain content on all District web pages.
• Social Media: Manage the District’s social media platforms by creating and publishing engaging content to inform and connect with stakeholders.
• Marquee Content: Develop, upload, and manage marquee information.
• Annual Report: Collect departmental data and compile it into the District’s annual report.
• Email Monitoring: Respond to inquiries from the District’s official email account.
• District Calendar: Oversee and maintain the District calendar.

Marketing, Branding, and Sponsorships

• Style Guide: Develop, update, and enforce the District Style Guide to ensure consistency in branding across all communications.
• Event Promotions: Assist staff and departments in creating, proofreading, and publishing promotional materials for District events.
• Partnership Development: Establish and grow school-business partnerships, including advertising and sponsorship opportunities for publications and broadcasts.
• Marketing Strategy: Explore and implement new outreach strategies to enhance the District’s marketing efforts.

External and Internal Engagement

• Community Relationships: Foster and maintain positive relationships with community stakeholders to strengthen ties with the District.
• Community Programs: Promote initiatives like the Golden Bulldog Pass and the annual “Dinner and a Show” to boost community participation.
• Staff Engagement: Support internal staff programs and events, such as the annual picnic and opening day activities, to enhance employee engagement and morale. 
• Alumni Relations: Support ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with District alumni and increase their engagement with the District community.

Other Duties

• Serve as the Executive Director for the Foundation for the West York Area School District as a liaison between the School District and the Foundation for the District’s needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

●        Ability to walk, stand, and sit

●        Ability to bend, twist, and climb stairs

●        Ability to reach above and below the waist 

●        Ability to use fingers to pick, feel, and grasp objects

●        Ability to use both hands for repetitive motion

●        Occasionally lift/push and/or move up to 20 pounds

●        Occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch

Sensory Abilities:

●        Close vision, distant vision, and depth vision perception

●        Good hearing abilities

●        Ability to speak clearly and distinctly

●        Ability to read correspondence/computer screens

Work Environment:

●     Standard office setting, including standard office equipment

• Requires frequent travel between multiple school buildings and various community partner locations
• Ability to manage a dynamic schedule including evenings and weekends to support District events and foster community engagement

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of computerized applications related to the communications and marketing field 
• Knowledge of social media such as Facebook and Instagram and their appropriate use for disseminating business information and announcements
• Proven planning, organizational, and project management skills
• Strong human relations skills
• Must be courteous, congenial, cooperative, and service-oriented
• Professional appearance
• Effectively use District-sponsored technology as designated by the supervisor
• Must be able to work independently or in a team (as circumstances warrant) and able to work with frequent interruptions
• Must be able to communicate effectively with students, personnel at all levels, and members of the public
• Follow written and verbal directions, provide direction, and motivate peers
• Must be able to read/write/correspond clearly, concisely, and effectively at a post-secondary level; interpret and follow District policies, regulations, and work rules; and exercise good judgment
• Must appropriately handle confidential information

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the applicable policies of the West York Area School District.

Hiring Practice: The District’s hiring policy is that the best candidate will be selected based on the recommendation of the Interview Team and the Superintendent or designee.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

EOE