Director of Strategic Communications

San Francisco Day School•San Francisco, CA

2d•$147,000 - $220,000

About The Position

San Francisco Day School seeks an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven Director of Strategic Communications to lead all aspects of institutional communications and marketing. Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Director shapes and executes a comprehensive communications strategy that advances the school’s mission, strengthens its reputation, and supports enrollment, advancement, and community engagement goals. The Director provides strategic leadership and hands-on execution across internal and external communications, brand management, digital and print storytelling, media relations, and crisis communications. This role oversees a small communications team and works in close partnership with Admissions, Advancement, and academic and administrative leaders to ensure clear, consistent, and compelling messaging across all platforms. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, creative, and highly trusted communications leader who thrives in a dynamic K–8 independent school environment. The Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating an integrated communications and marketing strategy that aligns with institutional priorities and reflects San Francisco Day School’s values and culture. The Director serves as a key advisor to the Head of School on messaging, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement, and exercises primary authority over the school’s brand, voice, and communications standards. Together, the Director of Strategic Communications and Storytelling & Brand Media Strategist form the school’s core communications leadership partnership - uniting institutional strategy with daily narrative practice to ensure the school’s voice is coherent, human, and mission aligned. Together, the Director of Strategic Communications and Storytelling & Brand Media Strategist ensure that strategy and storytelling reinforce each other - so the school’s message is not only consistent, but meaningful, human, and trusted.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, or public relations, preferably in an educational or mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans.
Proven success leading and developing teams.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across print and digital media.
Strong strategic thinking, project management, and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency with content management systems, social media platforms, and digital analytics tools.
Experience with crisis communications, media relations, and brand management strongly preferred.
Warm, collaborative, and deeply mission-aligned.
Strategic yet hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Diplomatic, composed, and trusted advisor with strong judgment.
Curious, creative, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Per CA statutes, all School employees should be able to pass a Federal and State background check, provide a negative TB test, and maintain professional behavior during the period of employment. The employment offer is contingent upon these requirements.
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. As prescribed by law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-channel communications and marketing strategy that advances the school’s mission and strategic priorities.
Serve as the institutional steward of the SF Day School brand, ensuring consistency of voice, visual identity, and messaging across all platforms and materials.
Establish priorities, workflows, and editorial calendars with Storytelling & Brand Media Strategist to align communications efforts with school-wide goals and ensure completion of projects and deliverables.
Use data, analytics, and benchmarking to assess effectiveness and continuously improve communications impact.
Oversee all internal and external communications, including campus-wide messaging, publications, digital content, and social media
Institutionalize classroom newsletters/divisional communications so there is a cohesive and predictable cadence and that the content is vision and values aligned
Lead executive-level communications, including announcements, speeches, talking points, and institutional publications for the Head of School and senior leadership.
Direct the creation of compelling storytelling that highlights the school’s people, programs, and values.
Serve as the school’s primary spokesperson for media and public communications, in coordination with the Head of School.
Develop, maintain, and implement crisis communications plans; provide guidance and support to senior leaders during critical incidents and institutional change.
Manage media relations, press inquiries, and proactive outreach as appropriate.
Lead strategy and oversight for the school’s digital ecosystem, including the website, social media platforms, and email marketing.
Shape and implement marketing and advertising strategies that support enrollment, retention, and institutional visibility.
Ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and best practices across digital and print communications.
Partner closely with Admissions and Advancement to develop integrated communications and marketing campaigns that support enrollment and fundraising goals.
Provide strategic leadership on institutional storytelling, donor communications, and campaign messaging.
Align communications efforts to ensure a cohesive experience for prospective families, current families, alumni, and donors.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing communications team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Oversee the communications and marketing budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources.
Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, designers, photographers, and agencies.
Support Board of Trustees communications as needed, including reports, presentations, and institutional messaging.
Exercise sound judgment and discretion in managing confidential and sensitive information.
Ensure communications practices align with school policies, accreditation standards, and legal requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the school’s mission and success.