Director of Marketing and Communications

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the strategic leader responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing, communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement strategies that advance the mission, visibility, and growth of Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. As a member of the leadership team, the Director provides strategic communications counsel to the Executive Director and works collaboratively across all departments to strengthen communication with families, staff, board members, donors, community partners, school districts, and the public. The Director oversees organizational messaging, brand management, digital strategy, website development, media relations, content strategy, crisis communications, and emerging communication technologies, including artificial intelligence tools and multimedia storytelling platforms.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Working Schedule: Year-Round; Mondays through Fridays; 40hr weeks with flexibility so that it encapsulates core school hours of 9a-2p.

Compensation: $90,000 - $115,000

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive organizational marketing and communications strategy
• Serve as strategic communications advisor to the Executive Director
• Provide communications support for board, foundation, and leadership initiatives
• Develop annual communications goals, priorities, and performance measures
• Oversee organizational brand management and messaging consistency

Stakeholder Communications

• Develop communication strategies for families, staff, board members, donors, school districts, community partners, and alumni
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement through thoughtful and effective communications
• Support organizational transparency and trust-building initiatives

Marketing & Digital Strategy

• Lead website strategy, content development, and digital engagement efforts
• Oversee social media strategy and digital marketing initiatives
• Utilize analytics and audience insights to improve communication effectiveness
• Evaluate and implement emerging communications technologies, including AI-assisted content tools

Public Relations & Storytelling

• Direct media relations and public awareness initiatives
• Identify and promote compelling stories that highlight student success, organizational impact, and community partnerships
• Oversee crisis communication planning and response

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise the Marketing & Communications Manager
• Establish content priorities and production schedules
• Manage external vendors, consultants, photographers, videographers, and agency partners

An Equal Opportunity Employer

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Digital Media, or related field
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, or public relations experience
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership and staff supervision experience
• Experience leading integrated communications strategies across multiple platforms
• Knowledge of digital marketing, content strategy, SEO, website management, social media, and analytics
• Demonstrated experience utilizing AI and emerging technologies to improve communications efficiency and effectiveness
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong strategic planning and project management abilities
• Experience working within nonprofit, educational, healthcare, or mission-driven organizations preferred