Bellevue, Washington
Posted: 09-Jun-25
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 DOE
Categories:
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
WHO WE ARE
At Forest Ridge, our intentional approach to excellence in education inspires students to explore intellectually, spiritually and personally as they embrace challenge, feed their curiosity, build their confidence and prepare for a lifelong pursuit of much more than just success, but success with true meaning – throughout their education, career and lifetime.
Our dynamic and challenging academic environment is filled with immersive, experiential learning opportunities, designed to help students discover their own sense of purpose. Our students learn to regard the world both intellectually and spiritually, blending faith with logic, combining thoughtful reflection with energetic debate, and focusing on both individual wellbeing and the good of the global community.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for girls in grades 5-12, welcomes students, adults and families into an inclusive global learning environment which respects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all human beings.
THE ROLE
The Director of Marketing and Communications is the strategic leader and chief storyteller for Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. This senior leadership role is responsible for designing and implementing an integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances institutional goals across enrollment, development, alumnae engagement, and community outreach.
A creative thinker with analytical rigor, the Director of Marketing and communications ensures that the Forest Ridge brand is consistent, compelling, and mission-aligned across all platforms. This role oversees digital and print communications, brand strategy, media relations, and crisis response, while elevating the visibility and reputation of Forest Ridge both regionally and nationally.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a long-range marketing and communications strategy that supports the School’s vision, deepens stakeholder engagement, and enhances competitive positioning in the independent school landscape.
- Lead annual strategic planning for the communications team, setting measurable goals, priorities, and timelines in alignment with institutional objectives.
- Serve as a thought partner to the Head of School, enrollment, development, and program leaders, helping translate strategic goals into clear messaging and multi-channel campaigns.
- Use data and analytics to evaluate campaign performance, audience growth, and ROI, making data-driven decisions to continuously optimize messaging and outreach.
- Guide internal partners on communications best practices, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
Brand & Messaging Oversight
- Serve as the School’s chief brand steward, ensuring consistency in voice, tone, visual identity, and messaging across all touchpoints.
- Manage external-facing communications, including web, social media, email, print, advertising, and public relations.
- Collaborate with departments across the school to develop compelling content that brings the Forest Ridge mission to life.
Publications & Print Media
- Lead the production of all major publications, including but not limited to:
- Viewbooks and admission collateral
- Donor stewardship reports and development materials
- Event invitations and community handbooks
- An annual Forest Ridge Magazine, showcasing alumnae success stories, student learning, faculty innovation, and institutional impact. This publication serves as a signature piece for brand storytelling and relationship-building with families, alumnae, and donors.
- Serve as the School’s technical graphic designer for all major publications and design projects
Digital Strategy & Content Creation
- Oversee the school website, social media channels, digital ads, and email marketing, ensuring platforms are engaging, up-to-date, and aligned with brand strategy.
- Develop and manage a yearlong content calendar that balances strategic campaigns, timely updates, and mission-aligned storytelling.
- Direct and support the creation of high-quality multimedia content (photos, video, graphics) to increase reach and engagement.
Enrollment, Advancement & Community Collaboration
- Partner with the Director of Enrollment Management and Community Outreach to design and execute strategic marketing campaigns that drive inquiries and applications.
- Collaborate with the Director of Development and Community Engagement to elevate donor communications, campaign messaging, and community event promotions.
- Support alumnae relations, internal engagement, and cross-functional messaging to ensure community cohesion and alignment.
Media & Crisis Communications
- Manage media relations and serve as the primary school spokesperson when appropriate.
- Write and distribute press releases, manage media lists, and pitch stories to elevate visibility.
- Partner with the Head of School to lead crisis communication planning and execution, ensuring timeliness, clarity, and transparency in urgent situations.
Team Leadership & Management
- Supervise a communications team and outside vendors (as needed), providing leadership in creative direction, workflow, and project management.
- Create a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within the communications office.
- Develop and manage the department budget with strategic alignment to school-wide priorities.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic marketing, communications, or brand management, preferably in an independent school or mission-driven organization.
- Proven ability to lead integrated marketing campaigns, publications, and digital strategy from conception to execution.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
- Strong technical graphic design skills, with experience and expertise in Illustrator, InDesign, and Canva to create engaging collateral and visuals.
- Strong visual and design sensibility with experience guiding photography, video, and layout.
- Demonstrated success using data and analytics to inform communications strategy.
- Proficiency with web CMS platforms (Finalsite, WordPress), CRMs, social media management tools, and Google Analytics.
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- A deep understanding of and commitment to advancing the mission of all-girls education and Sacred Heart values.
SALARY/BENEFITS
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a competitive compensation and benefits package to benefits-eligible employees. Benefits include: medical/dental/vision insurance (based on FTE); flexible spending account (FSA); employee assistance program (EAP); retirement savings plan with employer match after 1 year of employment; paid time off for sick, personal, bereavement, jury/witness duty; vacation time off for staff; family leave; life and disability insurance; professional development opportunities; 50% tuition remission.
The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000, based on education and experience.
TO APPLY
Qualified applicants should email the following documents to careers@forestridge.org:
- Cover letter
- Updated CV/Resume
- List of three professional references
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart does not discriminate in its employment decisions or practices on the basis of gender, age, race, color, marital status, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any disability that can be reasonably accommodated in the administration of its educational policies and school-administered programs.