Catlin Gabel School seeks to employ the best qualified individuals from available applicants and to provide them with opportunity for advancement in a manner that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal equal employment opportunity laws or regulations.

The School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to the school’s success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

The Strategic Communications & Content Specialist supports the development and execution of Catlin Gabel School’s narrative and content strategy across platforms. Working in close partnership with the Director of Communications & Marketing, this role helps shape how the school tells its story — identifying compelling angles, aligning messaging with institutional priorities, and producing timely, high-quality content across web, social media, media relations, email communications, and print publications.

This position requires a strong storyteller who can think strategically and execute nimbly. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable drafting a long-form feature, pitching a media story, creating a social post on a tight timeline, or compiling weekly newsletters. We are seeking someone who is intellectually curious, attuned to emerging trends in social media and education, and energized by finding new and innovative ways to elevate the school’s voice. This role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to campaign messaging, fundraising communications, reputation management, and institutional storytelling, while helping reimagine how and where our stories are told.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Editorial & Narrative Development

• Partner with the Director of Communications & Marketing to support the development and execution of editorial and storytelling strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead communications campaigns for major institutional initiatives in partnership with school leadership.
• Contribute ideas for storytelling themes, campaigns, and fundraising initiatives.
• Identify and write compelling stories that highlight the mission, people, and impact of Catlin Gabel.
• Identify and develop strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students to build trust and generate storytelling opportunities.
• Serve as a primary writer and editor for school-wide communications.
• Proactively surface new storytelling opportunities based on trends in education, media coverage, and digital engagement.
• Bring forward bold, creative ideas for expanding audience reach, including new platforms, formats, partnerships, or contributor models (e.g., student-generated content, multimedia-first storytelling, digital-first publications).

Content Creation & Channel Execution

• Develop and execute content strategy and calendar for social media platforms, including daily posting, engagement, and performance tracking.
• Stay current on social media trends, emerging platforms, and evolving best practices, and test new approaches that increase engagement and visibility.
• Develop theme and drive content development for The Caller, the school’s twice-annual magazine, in collaboration with Advancement/Alumni and designers.
• Evaluate and propose improvements to existing communications vehicles (e.g., newsletters, magazine, email cadence), including opportunities for increased efficiency, digital innovation, or format shifts.
• Gather, compile, edit, and distribute weekly divisional newsletters.
• Draft and edit communications for the Head of School and senior leadership, in partnership with the Director of Communications & Marketing.
• Write and edit content for web pages, admission materials, advancement communications, and institutional messaging.

Media Relations & Public Engagement

• Support media relations efforts, including drafting press releases, pitching stories, maintaining a press list, and cultivating relationships with local media.
• Monitor relevant local, national, and education-industry media for engagement opportunities; track trends in coverage to inform proactive storytelling and thought leadership opportunities.
• Assist in managing communications for time-sensitive issues or crises.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the Senior Digital & Brand Manager to ensure content aligns with brand standards and digital strategy.
• Collaborate with the Multimedia & Athletics Content Producer to align written storytelling with video and athletics content.
• Support divisional leaders, Advancement, Enrollment, and other departments in meeting communications goals.

OTHER DUTIES

• Engage in activities that promote, support, and enhance the school community
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training
• Complete other work as assigned by the supervisor

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BA or BS from an accredited college or university required; degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in communications, journalism, content strategy, marketing, or related field preferred.
• Experience in education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations preferred.
• Experience working with media, serving as a spokesperson, or contributing to public-facing communications on behalf of an organization preferred.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Strong writing and editing skills, with fluency in writing for web, email, and social platforms.
• Interest in and aptitude for strategic communications and campaign messaging.
• Understanding of social media strategy, content planning, and analytics
• Demonstrated curiosity about emerging communications trends and a willingness to experiment with new formats and approaches
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the confidence to propose new ideas and the follow-through to execute them
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and systems-minded.
• Cultural competence and sound professional judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment in public-facing communications, with awareness of reputational considerations and institutional voice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No formal supervisory responsibilities.
• May provide production guidance to student content contributors or coordinate freelance support as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The requirements listed below are representative of physical requirements and may not be all-encompassing. Incumbents must be able to perform job duties with or without accommodations.

• Ability to move safely over uneven terrain or confined spaces to attend meetings, events, and shoots.

• Frequent and consistent operation of a computer and video equipment.
• Prolonged periods of standing, sitting, and walking. Capable of bending, reaching above and below the shoulder, climbing, and squatting. Vision close up and at distance
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
• May need to travel locally for events

 SCHEDULE

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), year-round position. The role requires regular on-campus presence. Some evening and weekend work is required.

• BA or BS from an accredited college or university required; degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in communications, journalism, content strategy, marketing, or related field preferred.
• Experience in education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations preferred.
• Experience working with media, serving as a spokesperson, or contributing to public-facing communications on behalf of an organization preferred.

About Catlin Gabel School

Catlin Gabel School is a coeducational, independent day school located on 54 acres in the West Hills neighborhood of Portland, Oregon formed in 1957 by the merger of the Catlin Hillside School, which had been founded as Miss Catlin’s School in 1911, and the Gabel Country Day School, whose roots extend to 1859 with the founding of The Portland Academy. The campus itself is a former farm with beautiful trees, fields, and plantings that has been modernized and upgraded over the years with new and renovated buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings. We offer a broad and challenging curriculum based on a progressive philosophy with small classes designed to educate the total person, incorporating the academic along with the arts, physical education, and a strong sense of community service. The school enrolls nearly 740 students in Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade and has 100 faculty members committed to diversity among students, faculty and staff. Catlin Gabel is an equal opportunity employer.

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