Director of Marketing & Communications

The Overlake School•Redmond, WA

1d•$125,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Overlake School—a thriving, future-focused independent school nestled in a green forest in Redmond, WA—seeks a communications and marketing leader who is eager to join our community and let their vision for our marketing and communications soar. The Director of Marketing & Communications leads the development and execution of Overlake’s communication and marketing efforts to strengthen the school’s visibility, articulate its mission, and support community connection. They have primary responsibility for institutional messaging, brand coherence, and the strategic use of communications platforms, working in close partnership with school leadership. At Overlake, we're more than just a school. We are a bold community of learners and leaders, committed to shaping the future while honoring the values that have guided us since 1967. This role is ideal for a skilled communicator who has strong fundamentals and is open to deepening their strategic ability. The Director reports to the Head of Operations & Research, and works closely with the Head of School, Admissions, Development, and other school leaders to ensure our messaging reflects Overlake’s values, traditions, and forward-thinking educational approach. The work ahead also includes an exciting opportunity to help steward a new aesthetic era for the school as we launch a refreshed website and begin thoughtful brand-identity development in the coming year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
4+ years of professional experience in communications, marketing, digital media, or similar work.
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
Adept with contemporary design, social media, and content management tools.
Ability to manage multiple projects with clarity and attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to translate institutional priorities into clear, effective communication strategies.
Desire to work in a school community of learners from age 10 to adult.
Graphic design expertise in Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other common industry design tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in independent schools or mission-driven organizations.
Familiarity with website management systems, CRM platforms, and analytics tools.
Experience coordinating creative vendors (photographers, designers, printers).
Interest in applying marketing strategy, brand development, and crisis communication.
Someone who is comfortable making data-informed decisions, setting standards, and navigating feedback within a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of a cohesive communications and marketing strategy for internal and external audiences, in alignment with school priorities.
Articulate Overlake’s story in a way that honors its history and highlights its vision for the future.
Maintain consistent messaging, brand voice, and visual identity across platforms and across departments.
Partner with the Head of School on key communications, including school-wide messaging and timely updates to the community.
Collaborate with leaders throughout the school to ensure communications and collateral are strategic, brand-aligned, and aesthetically integrated in support of institutional and programmatic goals.
Serve as the steward of Overlake’s brand voice and visual identity, establishing guidelines and ensuring consistency across departments and platforms.
Provide aesthetic and creative leadership across all communications as a design expert, setting and upholding high standards for graphic design, visual storytelling, and overall presentation that reflect Overlake’s values, voice, and evolving brand.
Participate in community events to build relationships with students and student groups to better understand their lives and tell their stories more effectively.
Oversee production of core school communications, including newsletters, website content, press releases, major announcements, and publications.
Serve as editor for annual or semiannual publications and institutional materials, with support from external vendors as needed.
Capture and curate print and digital stories, images, and media that reflect the richness of school life.
Manage and coordinate Overlake’s website and social channels, including content strategy, governance, and ongoing optimization, with particular focus on ensuring content is fresh, relevant, accurate, and engaging.
Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors on website development, maintenance, and future enhancements.
Monitor analytics to understand audience engagement and adjust content accordingly.
Ensure thoughtful, positive online interaction with current and prospective families.
Support admission, development, and programmatic initiatives through coordinated campaigns, messaging, and brand-aligned materials.
Contribute to and help shape advertising, digital marketing, and outreach efforts that reflect Overlake’s values.
Contribute to the development of collateral for events, fundraising, and enrollment.
Build positive relationships with internal partners, including faculty, staff, divisions, and programs, in order to gather stories, anticipate needs, and maintain alignment.
Partner with the Development and Admissions Office to support healthy communications practices and channels between school and parents, including Grade Level Reps, the Parent Guardian Association, volunteers, and more.
Draft and distribute press releases; cultivate relationships with local media outlets.
Serve as a secondary spokesperson when appropriate; support the Head of School in key communications moments.
Coordinate with photographers, designers, and other creative partners.
Manage a modest departmental budget.
Maintain a detailed communications calendar that organizes major publications and campaigns throughout the year.
Maintain a crisis communications plan.
Support timely, clear, and level-headed messaging during unexpected events.
Contribute to school-wide events and initiatives.
Keep current with industry best practices, tools, and technologies.