Director of Communications, Marketing & Digital Strategy

Director Of Communications, Marketing & Digital Strategy

As part of Shelton's strategic plan and continued growth we are searching for a Director of Communications, Marketing & Digital Strategy, with an expanded emphasis on digital marketing strategy, social media, storytelling and reaching the next generation of Shelton families. Our current Director of Communications & Marketing will transition into a Senior Communications & Media Strategist role focused on writing, editing and media relations, continuing to tell Shelton's stories of hope and success while supporting key publications and media relations. She will also guide the transition and onboarding of the new director to ensure continuity, consistency and confidence in Shelton's voice and brand.

About June Shelton School

June Shelton School & Evaluation Center enjoys the distinction of being the world's largest independent school for bright children with learning differences. Founded in 1976, Shelton is dedicated to making a difference by serving and empowering the lives of students who learn differently. While the school is clearly the centerpiece of its mission, Shelton is more than a school. It encompasses three other major components, all open to the communitya speech and language therapy program, an evaluation center, and a teacher-training program. Shelton is actively involved with research and collaborates with major medical institutions in the Dallas area, including Children's Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center. The Shelton School is a co-educational, non-sectarian school that serves approximately 900 students with learning differences in grades EC to 12. The Shelton School is accredited by Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS).

Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Generous time off (including 4 weeks of school holidays, vacation, paid leave, and standard federal holidays)
• FREE chef-prepared lunch during the school year. Self-pay hot breakfast is also available
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Short & long term disability
• Professional development opportunities and tuition assistance for qualified children.
• Vibrant, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

Purpose:

The Director of Communications, Marketing and Digital Strategy serves as the primary architect and steward of the school's brand identity, strategic messaging, and community engagement. The purpose of this role is to direct all public relations, communications, and marketing functions to elevate the school's mission, promote its programs, and ensure consistent, high-impact storytelling across all internal and external platforms. By leveraging data-driven digital strategies, multi-channel social media management, and robust community relations, the Director fosters deep connections with prospective families, current parents, alumni, and the broader community to support enrollment, development, and overall organizational growth.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism or similar field required.
• Five years' management/administration experience desired.
• Credentials/certification in profession a plus.
• Must exercise discretion in handling confidential matters, be detail oriented and have strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Digital Content Creation and Ad Management desired.
• Must be proficient in Google Suite, digital marketing, brand differentiation, data analytics, and social media tools.
• Use of content management systems and other applications is a plus.
• Concept development, strategic planning and strong writing and editing skills required. Leadership engagement skills essential.
• Analytical problem-solving and organizational skills required.
• Must be adept at managing multiple priorities.

Essential Functions:

Attendance and punctuality are essential to the successful performance of this job. Because of the daily interaction with colleagues, it is essential that the person in this position maintains good attendance.

Public Relations & Communication

• Public & Social Media Relations
  • Develops and executes a comprehensive multi-platform strategy that aligns with the school's mission, enrollment and engagement goals.
  • Coordinates publicity and social media relations for all Shelton entities, events, and programs.
  • Utilizes Social Media Analytics to establish metrics for engagement, conversion and to demonstrate ROI.
  • Establishes and maintains effective public/media relations with various constituents
  • Serves as principal liaison for communications department to peripheral school organizations (e.g. Shelton Parents' Association, Dads' Group).
• Communication
  • Coordinates w/ Sr. Communications & Media Strategist on Writing, Editing & Media Relations
    • Writes and edits publications
    • Works with contract designers to produce publications and ads
    • Brand storytelling
    • Creates and publishes student and staff profiles
    • Creates targeted content for Alumni Engagement and Fundraising Campaigns
  • Manages Digital Communications
    • Ensures consistent messaging across all digital touchpoints (e.g. website, newsletters and social media)
    • Directs Digital Communications Manager to ensure website content promotes mission and programs.
    • Coordinates with Social Media Coordinator to provide content for various platforms
    • Regularly audits all school-affiliated social media accounts to ensure they adhere to brand standards.
    • Ensures websites and content is discoverable through Search Engine Optimization
    • Plans, writes and produces e-newsletters (e.g. Staff Stuff, ePost to Parents, alumni)
  • Oversight of parents and other constituent communications to ensure consistency and appropriateness of message (e.g. Scoop, graphics, auction, fundraising)
  • Coordinates arrangements for special programs and events (e.g. Ethics Symposium)
  • Oversees the creation of high-quality visual and video assets for digital platforms
    • Photographs events and key moments at Shelton
  • Provides central source of internal communication to all employees
• Crisis Management
  • Collaborates with the Executive Director and management team for crisis communication.
  • Acts as spokesperson for the school, when appropriate
  • Monitors and responds to community sentiment or potential crises on social platforms.

Marketing

• Plans, oversees and collaborates with all Shelton entities for strategic marketing of services and brand differentiation.
  • Coordinates strategic messaging and consistent branding for the organization.
  • Oversees coordination and printing of major print, online and promotional materials:
  • Brochures, Publications & Catalogs (e.g. Horizon annual report, Admissions brochure, Upper School Course Catalog, Graduation and awards programs, Summer and Training catalogs)
  • Plans and oversees placement of print/digital advertising, including some social media
• Facilitates responses to questionnaires, surveys, directory listings
• Collaborates with others to assess analytics

Community Relations

• Initiates and cultivates strong relationships with community leaders and organizations and media
  • Serves as principal liaison for communication/community relations with external constituents (e.g. homeowners associations, Chamber of Commerce)
  • Networks with counterparts from other educational institutions to maintain working knowledge of best practices
• Represents Shelton at events

Department Oversight & Reporting

• Develops and manages department budget and special projects (e.g. 50th anniversary)
• Serves on the Executive Leadership Team
• Attends and presents updates at Shelton Board meetings

Physical Requirements: Seeing Ability to Move Distances within & between buildings Lifting -15 Pounds Carrying - 15 Pounds. Pushing/Pulling Color Perception (Red, Green, Amber) Hearing/Listening Clear Speech Touching (Dexterity, Hand & Finger) Driving (local/over the road) Mental/Reasoning Requirements: Reading - Simple Writing- Complex Analysis/Comprehension Reading - Complex Clerical Judgment/Decision Making Writing - Simple Basic Math Skills Work Environment: Works Alone Works with Others Verbal Contact w/Others Face-to-Face Contact Inside & Outside Noise Disclaimer: The above are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. When requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable the incumbent