Summary The Marketing and Communications Director at Foundation Academies leads Marketing strategy, internal and external communication strategies, fostering the organization's brand. Responsibilities include planning campaigns, supervising creative staff, analyzing engagement data, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. This role oversees branding across social media, the website, and leadership communications, crafting impactful messaging. Additionally, the Director serves as a subject matter expert and consultant for high-profile campaigns. Key qualifications include exceptional writing and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to gather input from stakeholders and adapt swiftly. Responsible: (Tasks you are responsible for. Tasks are subject to change) Advising and Executing Network Strategy * Collaborating with and advising the Executive Team to ensure strategic alignment * CEO: align marketing and communication strategies with the overall vision and goals of the organization, and provide regular updates on marketing and communication initiatives. * CAOr: collaborate on initiatives related to student recruitment, retention, and academic success, ensuring that marketing and communication efforts support academic objectives and initiatives. * COFO: align messaging and branding, develop integrated strategies, and coordinate communication efforts with fundraising initiatives to maximize donor engagement, drive fundraising success, and advance the school's mission and objectives. * CTOr: Collaborate on employer branding and recruitment marketing efforts to attract and retain high-quality staff and faculty, and support internal communication initiatives related to staff engagement and morale. * Build Foundation Academies' brand communication strategies across major external channels of social, website, email and other emerging avenues. * Build and own org-wide communications calendar along with processes for its ongoing communication, updating and sourcing. * Partner with functional partners to support and align communication strategy and build campaigns to amplify across channels. * Serve as consultant for major communication initiatives for leadership and network partners like the Friends of Foundation Academies, Inc. and the NJ Public Charter Schools Association * Develop and implement strategies to foster meaningful connections with the local community, including organizing events, partnerships, and outreach activities. Content Creation * Write and build branded content for a myriad of communications across Foundation Academies' prioritized work, core channels and specific mediums including anything from presentations and ads to emails and newsletters. * Serve as content creator and support for select executive team communications and network addresses. * Lead all aspects of content quality and provide thought leadership and supervision to leaders as well as third-party vendors to build effective brand storytelling and communications. * If applicable, manage third-party vendors. Work closely with contract graphic designers to execute projects across print and digital media that reflect the FA brand. Work with third-party vendors as appropriate to manage materials and print orders. * Manage video production and photo inventory. Create and collaborate on videos that communicate powerfully and succinctly about Foundation Academies to various audiences. Take photos at events as needed and hire photographers on a project basis. Manage on-campus photo shoots. Curate a photo library and select photographs for marketing purposes. Experience using editing software (Photoshop, etc.) is a plus. Core Channel Oversight Social Media * Lead all aspects of Foundation Academies social media including brand content planning, growth strategy and the ongoing integration of meaningful network information. * Analyze social media analytics to track reach, impressions, and audience demographics. * Build standard methodologies, processes, and guidelines that improve our network's ability to deliver content and engage. * Website * Guide website platform to communicate optimally and ensure content and user experience are fresh, engaging, and accurate for network, regional and schools. * Establish improvement and capability enhancement plan to continuously adapt to changing partner needs. * External & Internal Emails * Lead the planning and execution of major email workstreams (i.e. newsletters) for our external and internal network audiences, including but not limited to students, families, staff, external candidates, Alumni, and Friends of Foundation * Lead all aspects of email content strategy and content calendar. * Ensure the email platform is handled and organized so partners can easily use, build and handle assets. Accountable: (What you are accountable for does not change, You are the decider on pivots within the system to meet the following goals) Brand Awareness, Engagement and Reputation: Increase in brand visibility across key channels (social media, website, email) by 50%.Improvement in engagement metrics, such as likes, shares, comments, and click-through rates on content 30%Communication Effectiveness: Evaluation of communication campaigns based on predefined objectives and KPIs. Perform Other Responsibilities Do whatever else is necessary or requested to prepare our students for college and to instill in them our core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. Certification Not Applicable Qualifications * BA in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or other relevant field required * 4+ years prior work experience in communications, branding or marketing. * Exceptional writing skills: Ability to use and define a brand voice, ability to tell human-interest and create engaging content, excellent editing and proofreading abilities. * Knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) and how each can be used to engage audiences. * Ability to formulate strategy as well as pivot to execution and day-to-day operation. * Ability to independently prioritize shifting workloads in a dynamic, constantly evolving environment. * Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. * Strong written and verbal communication skills. * Strong time management and attention to detail skills. * Strong organization and process skills. * Pass the required criminal history background check and provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status. Preferred * Deep knowledge of Trenton and prior experience working in a fast-paced school setting preferred * Can perform all tasks independently of Direct Supervisor * Experience with website management and CMS platforms or tools. * Experience with email platforms or tools. * Experience with social media aggregator or monitoring software. * Experience with Adobe Creative Suite. * Experience with Salesforce