Associate Director of Communications

Collegiate School seeks an Associate Director of Communications to work in the Communications Office. The Associate Director supports the overall objectives of the department by providing day-to-day operational oversight of the School's communications strategy and serving as the lead writer and editor for the School's key publications and institutional messaging. This position is responsible for ensuring consistent, high-quality written and visual communications across all platforms - including newsletters, the website, printed magazines, and other School-wide publications. The Associate Director oversees project management systems, vendor partnerships, and internal workflows, and serves as Acting Director in the absence of the Director of Strategic Communications. As a senior member of the Communications team, this role also advises School leaders on messaging strategy and audience positioning to ensure communications advance Collegiate's mission, enrollment priorities, and philanthropic goals. This is a full-time, benefitted position, 12-month position reporting directly to the Director of Strategic Communications.General responsibilities will include:Editorial Leadership and Content CreationServe as the School's lead writer and editor, producing written content for the website, newsletters, alumni magazine, and other School publications.Develop and edit copy for School-wide communications, including emails, reports, admission and development materials, speeches, talking points, and presentations.Maintain and refine the School's editorial voice, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with Collegiate's mission and values.Edit and proofread materials written by other members of the Communications team to ensure quality, clarity, and brand consistency.Strategic and Administrative LeadershipProvide day-to-day operational support of the Communications Office, ensuring the effective execution of the School's communications strategy. Oversee project workflows, content planning, and production schedules to ensure efficiency and consistency across all platforms.Serve as administrative lead for the department when the Director of Strategic Communications is unavailable, including representing the department in leadership meetings and making operational decisions as needed.Manage vendor relationships, including writers, designers, photographers, and printers, ensuring quality control and budget alignment.Project and Budget ManagementOversee project management systems, timelines, and intake processes to ensure clear communication and timely completion of all deliverables.Track and report on the department's budget in collaboration with the Director of Strategic Communications, ensuring fiscal responsibility.Team Leadership and OversightSupervise assigned members of the Communications team, including the Digital Media Manager and Creative and Graphic Manager.In collaboration with the Director, establish performance goals, conduct evaluations, and provide timely and constructive feedback. Support hiring, onboarding, and professional development of team members.Foster a collaborative, professional working environment aligned with the School's mission and values.Ensure message alignment and coordinated execution across all communications platforms.Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications and competencies:Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, or a related field is required; Master's degree preferred.Minimum of eight years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or journalism, including writing, editing, and publication management. Minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience within a communications or marketing team.Exceptional AP Style writing and editorial skills. The ability to craft and edit content for diverse audiences. Strong understanding of integrated communications across print, web, email, and social media platforms.Familiarity with project management systems (e.g., or similar platforms), and experience overseeing vendor relationships and managing creative production budgets.Proficiency with Mac and Windows operating systems, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite (InCopy, InDesign, and Photoshop preferred). Experience using content management systems and email marketing tools.Excellent attention to detail and organizational abilities.Experience working in an independent school, higher education, or nonprofit setting.Familiarity with Blackbaud, Finalsite, Ubiq, or similar content management systems.Experience publishing a print magazine or multi-platform publication.It is critical that candidates demonstrate a commitment to the School's Core Values and MissionHONOR Personal integrity and devotion to the truth, which make one trustworthy, forthright, responsible and fair.LOVE OF LEARNINGA creative spirit that promotes intellectual and personal growth through exploration, inquiry and openness to change.EXCELLENCEA sustained commitment to meeting high standards of character, achievement and personal accountability.RESPECTFundamental regard for the dignity and worth of each individual.COMMUNITY A commitment to responsive and compassionate citizenship and service on campus, in the local community and in the broader world. Required Competencies:Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate the School's shared purpose; builds trust among colleagues; is accountable; lives up to commitments.Proven cross cultural competency skills demonstrating self awareness, awareness of others and the ability to adopt inclusive perspectives, attitudes and behaviors to drive inclusion and belonging in the ongoing development and maintenance of an inclusive campus community.Demonstrates a strong commitment to a servant leadership model focusing on the growth and development of the team to successfully fulfill shared goals.Understands the big picture and handles areas of responsibility in a manner consistent with the School's mission and values. Offers assistance within the office especially during busy times.Relates to the Collegiate community including faculty, staff, students, parents and applicants in a cooperative manner.Meets deadlines, demonstrates effective use of time and handles multiple assignments simultaneously.Understands the need for growth and is receptive to constructive feedback.Maintains confidentiality at all times.Who we are Collegiate School is a co-educational, independent day school located in Henrico County, within 20 minutes of downtown Richmond, Virginia, for students in Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade. For more than 100 years, Collegiate has nurtured inquisitive thinkers, responsible citizens, and compassionate leaders. Grounded in the values that have sustained it over the course of more than a century, Collegiate provides its nearly 1,700 students with an engaging academic environment dedicated to preparing them for a globally connected and changing world.The essence of Collegiate School is the richness of relationships among students, faculty, parents, administrators, and alumni in a dynamic learning community with high personal and academic expectations. This exceptional educational environment enables students to develop their potential for intellectual growth, leadership, and service. Why Collegiate? Collegiate School is well-regarded for developing students into citizens who lead, serve and shape the world. We do so with the help of a caring faculty and staff who also have opportunities to lead, serve and shape the world, through the young lives they touch.Below are just a few examples of some of the great advantages of working at Collegiate:Excellent professional development opportunities for faculty and staffCollaborative working environmentA rich employee benefits package (which includes free lunch!)Opportunities for growth and leadershipAn environment that fosters creative and innovative instructionThe School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender (including pregnancy), age, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Employment decisions at the School are based on merit, qualifications and skills.

Created: 2026-04-02