Head of Marketing and Communications

German International School of Silicon Valley•Mountain View, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Head of Marketing and Communications. The Head of Marketing and Communications is a strategic leadership role responsible for the vision, development, and execution of GISSV’s internal and external communication strategies. This individual serves as the primary guardian of the school’s brand, ensuring that our mission as a premier bilingual international school is articulated clearly and consistently across all platforms. The Head will lead to drive enrollment, enhance community engagement, and manage the school’s public profile. This role requires a sophisticated storyteller who can balance the cultural nuances of a German-American community with the competitive landscape of Silicon Valley independent schools.

Requirements

Professional fluency in both English and German is required.
7-10 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, or public relations, preferably within an independent school or non-profit environment.
At least 3 years of experience in a leadership or managerial role with direct reports.
Proven track record of developing and executing successful brand and recruitment strategies.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
Proficiency with website content management systems (CMS), CRM/Student Information Systems, and Social Media analytics.
Advanced skills in the Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
Experience with video production and editing software (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, etc.).
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate a multicultural, cross-functional environment.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
Ability to work nights and weekends for school events as necessary.
Eligible to work in the US (sponsorship of work visa is not possible for this position).

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree or MBA is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee a multi-year marketing and communications strategy that aligns with GISSV’s strategic plan, mission, and core values.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Head of School and CAO on all matters involving public relations, reputation management, and community sentiment.
Directly manage, mentor, and evaluate the Marketing and Communications Manager, fostering a high-performing and creative team environment.
Architect and manage the departmental budget, ensuring high-ROI allocation across digital advertising, print collateral, and community events.
Partner closely with the Admissions Department to design and execute data-driven lead generation campaigns that drive enrollment.
Oversee the school’s brand architecture, ensuring all materials, publications, and online presence reflect GISSV’s style guide and professional image.
Act as the school’s primary "Editor-in-Chief," ensuring the highest standards of bilingual (German/English) accuracy and narrative consistency.
Define and oversee the school’s internal communication strategy, establishing the standards for tone, frequency, and platforms used to engage with the community to ensure a consistent and professional voice across all internal touch points.
Lead the strategic development of the school’s official website, SEO/SEM architecture, and social media footprint.
Develop and maintain the school’s crisis communication plan and serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries.
Analyze media trends and market research to provide senior leadership with recommendations for institutional positioning.
Set the creative vision and storytelling direction for multimedia content.
Coordinate with various school committees and functional leads to ensure brand alignment for outreach events and publications.
Solicit and analyze ongoing feedback from key constituencies to improve communication effectiveness and community engagement.
Manage relationships with external vendors, including agencies, printers, and graphic designers.
Support the Head of School and CAO on special projects and executive communications as needed.