Marketing and Communications Manager

ABOUT MERIDIAN PCSMeridian is a PreK-8th grade school located in Washington DC’s vibrant U Street Corridor. Our mission is to inspire a passion for learning in our students and to help them build their self-confidence and self-respect through academic achievement. Our 650+ students are a diverse mix of African-American, Latino, Asian, African, and White students. Almost 30% of our students are English language learners, and we have one of the largest Hispanic populations in DC charter schools. We are committed to building a community of teachers and staff who reflect the rich diversity of our student body. Our middle school campus serves nearly 200 students in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in grades 6-8.Meridian is committed to serving families from our local communities; and one-third of our students live within a half mile of the school. The U Street Corridor was once the heart of black culture in DC and offers a tangible historical archive for our students, and Columbia Heights is one of the most racially and economically diverse neighborhoods in the District. We are also proud of the fact that Meridian is a school of choice for parents— all eight wards of the city are represented among our student population.Meridian’s strengths include two beautiful and historic campuses, with nearby outdoor and recreational grounds; state of the art technology for students and teachers; updated and aligned curricula; an academic program laser-focused on student growth, achievement, and social-emotional development; extensive professional development and support for teachers and leaders; and a school culture grounded in student achievement, collaboration, and student-centered learning.Join us as we continue to take Meridian from good to great! For additional information about Meridian visit mpcs-dc.org.ABOUT THE POSITIONMeridian seeks a Marketing and Communications Manager to develop and implement strategic marketing and communication plans to enhance the Meridian brand, promote school events, initiatives, achievements, and engage target audiences. The Marketing and Communications Manager is a key member of the family engagement team who collaborates interdepartmentally to design and manage Meridian’s marketing and communications. Reporting to the Director of Development, Community, and Family Engagement, the ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience designing, managing and executing innovative marketing and communications projects. This is a full time 12-month salaried position.The specific responsibilities for the Marketing and Communications Manager include, but are not limited to:External Communication Projects, including:Developing a strong marketing and messaging strategy for Meridian, engaging stakeholders in the processCreating high-quality materials, both written pieces and visuals, to ensure consistent organizational messagingManaging school website, including drafting content and graphics, and assisting with website redesign project (currently in progress)Drafting and designing communications for diverse audiences, such as e-newsletters, flyers, brochures, etc.Pursuing outlets for media placements and coveragePreparing and disseminating press releasesServing as media contact for the organization and managing all logistics associated with media visitsDeveloping overall social media strategy and plan, ensure successful implementation and evaluation of strategyMaintaining the school brand: standardized design for all materials, including school merchandise, newsletters, communication templates, brochures, and other print and web development and outreach materialsCreating high quality visuals to attract potential families and staff to MeridianCreating and editing internal and external communicationsDigital Marketing Strategy, including:Design and produce compelling content to boost Meridian’s social media presenceCreates content for campus-based and school-wide newsletters, parent communications, and social media platformsManages daily engagement on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platformsCoordinates social media marketing campaigns for student recruitment events; Open House Night, recruitment fairs, and other recruiting eventsCollaborates with teachers and other staff for the purpose of content creationDevelopment-focused priorities, including:Drafting content and designing materials for fundraising appeals in coordination with development teamCreating promotional materials for fundraising initiativesAssisting in preparing presentations for internal and external meetingsInternal Communications, including:Standardizing design for all organizational materials including publications, merchandise, website, and outreach materialsTaking high-quality photos and video of school events, students, and staffManaging marketing assets including edited videos, raw video footage, and photographyEnsures consistent brand voice, vision, and aesthetic are achievedManages all internal department relationships and project needs for the communications teamCreates a marketing plan and materials related to student achievement, school-wide events, student and staff recruitment, and community-based partnershipsAttends family engagement and other school-based eventsWorking hours include evenings outside of regular school hours to support school-wide, 2-3 times per month​ QUALIFICATIONSSuccessful candidates will possess the following qualifications:Educational Background and Work ExperienceBachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications, or relevant fieldMinimum of two years professional experience or relevant internshipsExperience in working with diverse communities and/or in diverse educational settingsKnowledge, Skills, and CharacteristicsKeen understanding of design systems and brand developmentProven experience in marketing and communications, with a track record of successful campaigns that attract and retain students, parents/guardians, and the communityProficiency with graphic design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar graphic programs), digital marketing tools, social media platforms, content management systems, and analyticsAbility to work within the guidelines of established brand identity and voiceExceptional organizational skills to manage multiple projects in a time-sensitive environmentExperience publishing written and visual web contentPhotography or videography experienceStrong written and verbal communication skillsAbility to manage competing prioritiesDetail oriented, with the ability to produce quality work while meeting deadlinesStrong interpersonal skills with a passion for creative storytellingLoves to collaborate and is an excellent team playerSpanish language skills are a plusSALARY AND BENEFITSA recent TNTP Insight Survey of our teachers placed our staff’s satisfaction with compensation in the top quartile of all charter schools in DC. We also lead the charter sector in compensation transparency and publish our salary scales for teachers, apprentice teachers, and dedicated aides here. The salary range for the Marketing and Communications Manager is $70,000-$80,000.Meridian teachers and staff are compensated competitively for their time and have opportunities to earn additional income through leadership opportunities at the school level, offering extracurricular clubs and sports for students, and facilitating tutoring programs.