Posted: 11-Jun-25
Location: New York, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $130,000-$160,000
Categories:
Required Education:
Job Overview:
Reporting directly to the Head of School, the Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program that supports Stephen Gaynor School’s mission, vision, and values. Serving as a key member of the leadership team, the Director ensures that all communications efforts are unified, mission-centered, and reflective of the school’s commitment to educational excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement.
The Director will lead all external and internal communication initiatives, ensuring clarity, consistency, and creativity across channels. This role requires close collaboration with school leadership, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and trustees, positioning the Communications Office as a vital partner in achieving the school’s strategic priorities.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as the chief architect and steward of the school's strategic communications and marketing efforts.
- Advise the Head of School and leadership team on communications strategy, branding, and media relations.
- Preserve and strengthen brand consistency across all communications by enforcing the school’s style guide and reviewing all messaging materials.
- Lead and update comprehensive communications and marketing efforts to enhance the school’s visibility and reputation locally and nationally.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to leadership on key initiatives, including admissions, development, community engagement, and special programs.
Content Creation and Management
- Oversee the creation, production, and dissemination of print and digital materials, including but not limited to:
- Weekly Gaynor Notes newsletter
- Admissions collateral
- Family handbook
- Yearbook
- Summer camp and after-school brochures
- Biannual Gaynor Gazette magazine
- Write compelling news articles, press releases, speeches, and website content to promote the school’s programs and events.
- Oversee management and timely updates of the school website, Veracross Parent Portals and the school mobile app in collaboration with the Director of Technology.
- Supervise and coordinate all school social media channels, ensuring dynamic and engaging content.
- Attend and photograph school events; manage the photo and video archives with the Communications Coordinator for ongoing marketing use.
- Produce and edit video content to support school initiatives and storytelling.
Media and Public Relations
- Serve as the school’s primary media contact; build and maintain relationships with key media outlets and journalists.
- Craft and pitch story ideas, prepare media kits, and manage press coverage to elevate the school’s profile.
- Lead all crisis communications efforts, including the preparation of materials and active participation on the Crisis Response Team.
Team and Vendor Management
- Lead, mentor, and supervise the Communications Coordinator, fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.
- Manage relationships with external partners, including designers, photographers, videographers, and printers.
- Oversee production and branding of promotional materials, school merchandise, and event giveaways.
Community Engagement and Research
- Ensure frequent, mission-aligned communication with all constituents, including parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees.
- Promote and encourage the use of the school’s parent/employee app, including regular push notifications and content updates.
- Conduct periodic research, surveys, and analyses to assess communication effectiveness and inform strategy.
- Ensure the school's profiles on external platforms (e.g., Niche, educational directories) are accurate, updated, and compelling.
Other Responsibilities
- Maintain and update the school’s Brand Kit in Canva.
- Collaborate on schoolwide events such as the Gala, Spring Carnival, Curriculum Nights, graduation, and performances.
- Develop white papers or thought leadership articles in collaboration with faculty and staff for external publication.
- Lead internal communication efforts and ensure staff and faculty understand and uphold communication policies and brand standards.
- Attend full faculty and staff meetings.
- Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community.
- Ensure a commitment to the school’s DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds.
- Be an active member of the Gaynor community
- Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate
Please apply online at Employment Opportunities.
THE GAYNOR DIFFERENCE: UNLOCKING EACH STUDENT’S POTENTIAL
A pioneer in special education founded in 1962, Stephen Gaynor School is an independent Pre-K, Lower, and Middle School for bright children with language-based learning differences.
At Stephen Gaynor School, students with learning differences develop essential academic and critical thinking skills through individualized and evidence-based approaches, empowering them to reach their full potential. Students learn to advocate for themselves and others while actively building an inclusive community, a sense of belonging, and a belief in their own possibilities.
Nearly 400 students ages three to 14 attend our school with a range of learning differences, from Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to speech, language, and reading delays such as dyslexia. With more than 60 years of experience in special education and a dedication to continuous improvement, Gaynor has the expertise to help children break down barriers to learning, build self-esteem, and realize academic success.
Our expert staff provides an unparalleled level of personal attention in a nurturing environment, allowing students to be academically challenged yet supported every step of the way.
Children leave Stephen Gaynor School full of smiles and self-confidence, well-prepared for the next step on their educational journey.
Our Diversity Mission: Stephen Gaynor School is dedicated to promoting and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community. We recognize, value, and celebrate many types of diversity, including neurodiversity, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, sexual orientation, family composition, language, and gender identity/expression.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Stephen Gaynor School is an equal employment opportunity employer. Gaynor is committed to building a culturally diverse and anti-racist workforce. We provide opportunities for employment without discrimination or harassment on the basis of (including hairstyle), color, religion, creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage, age, pregnancy, marital/partnership status, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran or active military service member status, disability, genetic predisposition, status as a victim of domestic violence, prior arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law (collectively, the “Protected Characteristics”).
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressive communications/marketing experience, ideally in independent schools or nonprofit organizations.
- Proven track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans, managing crisis communications, and leveraging social media.
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Strong news judgment and creativity in identifying storytelling opportunities that advance the school’s mission and goals.
- Experience managing websites, digital platforms, and content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Veracross, Canva).
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and social media platforms.
- Experience with basic graphic design and web content management.
- Proven leadership and management skills; ability to foster a collaborative environment.
- A commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive and diverse community.
- Flexibility, resourcefulness, and a solution-oriented mindset.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events and deadlines.
Stephen Gaynor School offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive professional development program. Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter and contact details for at least two individuals who can supply reference letters upon appointment.