Communications Specialist

Packer is looking for a Communications Specialist to join the Communications Department. The Communications Specialist is a full-time, non-exempt, year-round staff position that is part of a three-person team that works to convey the mission and programs of the School to alumni, families, donors, faculty, staff, students, and the public. The position reports to the Director of Communications.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and produce engaging and informative stories, photos, video, and other communications that meet the school’s strategic communications goals and are consistent with Packer’s graphic identity and positioning.
• Photography and Videography: Capture events, classes, and the Packer environment via photography and video. Edit and produce finished products. 
• Writing: Write and edit magazine and website stories about school events, classes, and curriculum, and profiles of community members. Write and edit letters, announcements, promotional copy, and other content for Development, Admissions, and other departments and programs.
• Website Management: Create and curate content for our new website, launching Summer 2018, using our website provider’s content management system (Finalsite’s Composer module). Manage and upload website content and information, including all event calendars and school announcements. Help maintain and provide support for Parent, Faculty/Staff, and Student portal pages. Provide website support to other departments.
• Email Communications: Edit, produce, and send parent newsletter, create additional newsletter templates, and send various newsletters and emails. Support other departments and programs in creating and sending email newsletters.
• Social Media: Create fresh, engaging content for Packer’s social media feeds, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Vimeo. Collaborate with and guide other departments’ and programs’ use of social media, including Athletics, Arts, and Alumni.
• Digital Asset Management: Edit and maintain growing database of photo and video assets.
• Emergency Communications: Help run the school’s emergency alert system, SchoolMessenger, sending alerts when needed.

Skills and Qualifications

Candidates must have bachelor’s degree in a related field (digital media, video production, marketing/communications, journalism, public relations) and professional experience; or commensurate work-related experience, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting. Candidates must have demonstrated experience producing and editing high-quality writing, digital photography, and videography. The successful candidate will possess outstanding attention to detail, a strong work ethic, excellent verbal and visual communication skills, and an eagerness to develop new skills and refine existing ones; be able to balance independent self-management with collaboration.

Other requirements include: proficiency with Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie; Adobe Creative Cloud (particularly Photoshop, Lightroom and InDesign); Google Suite or Microsoft Office; and content management and digital asset management systems; familiarity with social media aggregators (ex, Hootsuite), Google Analytics, and HTML. 

Travel Requirements: The ability to cover off-campus day trips and evening events, when necessary, is also required. 

Application Process

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to hr@Packer.edu with "Job Post 48004" in the subject line of the e-mail. Interviewed candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio containing three to five examples of pertinent work and three to five references. References should address the candidate’s standard of work and work ethic, ability to meet deadlines, and ability to work collaboratively, effectively, and harmoniously with other adults.

Compensation and Benefits 

The Packer Collegiate Institute offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as resources for professional development. During the school year, daily snack and lunch are available to all employees at no cost. 

Additional Information

Packer is seeking to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive professional community. We actively encourage applications from candidates with broad and diverse backgrounds and from individuals of all races, national origins, and beliefs. 

Packer is an independent coeducational day school located in Brooklyn Heights. The oldest independent school in Brooklyn, Packer was founded in 1845 and enrolls 1000+ students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade. We are committed to our mission of developing young people who “think deeply, speak confidently, [and] act with purpose and heart.”