Strategic Communications Manager

St. Stephen's Episcopal School•Austin, TX

About The Position

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School seeks a creative, collaborative and highly skilled Strategic Communications Manager to lead the school’s storytelling across all external and internal communications platforms. In this role, you will inform and engage St. Stephen’s trustees, parents, alumni, faculty and staff by partnering with departments across campus to develop timely, strategic content that captures the St. Stephen’s experience. This is an exciting time to join a dynamic, mission-driven community in the midst of an $85 million comprehensive fundraising campaign supporting transformative investments in academics, student life, financial aid and campus facilities. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Strategic Communications Manager works closely with the Admission and Advancement offices to develop content that strengthens community engagement, supports enrollment and philanthropic efforts, and elevates the school’s mission and brand. The ideal candidate is a proactive, process-oriented problem solver with a sharp eye for detail who thrives in a collaborative environment. This person earns trust through sound judgment and strong execution, elevates those around them and translates vision into consistent, high-quality work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, English or a related field.
Minimum of six years producing strategic communications, journalism, marketing content or institutional storytelling.
Exceptional writing and copy editing skills across multiple platforms and audiences.
Strong visual sensibility and understanding of photography, video and digital content.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across departments.
Proficiency with editing software, preferably Adobe Creative Suite programs, including Adobe Premiere Pro.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with independent schools or educational environments is a plus.
Proficiency with digital publishing, social media, customer relationship management (CRM) software, content management systems (CMS) and project management software is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the school’s content strategy and narrative development by identifying and crafting compelling student, faculty/staff, alumni and community stories.
Write, edit and produce timely content for schoolwide communications, including: Weekly “News & Notes on The Hill” e-newsletter, Biannual alumni “Spartan Magazine,” Regular email communications, Website content, Social media, Institutional messaging, Department materials, as needed.
Maintain high editorial standards, including AP style, SSES Brand Guidelines and attention to detail.
Coordinate and oversee visual content creation efforts across campus, including photography and video.
Collaborate closely with Admission, Advancement and other interdepartmental teams to support enrollment, fundraising and community engagement goals.
Ensure all communications reflect St. Stephen’s brand, voice and mission with accuracy, consistency and creativity.
Conduct audio and/or video interviews with students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni to gather story ideas and content.
Edit video content for the school’s website, YouTube and other social media platforms.
Manage editorial calendars and communication timelines for key school initiatives and events.
Utilize institutional project management software to track tasks, collaborate and ensure all project deadlines are met.
Support and provide coverage of school events and campus life, with the flexibility to work some nights and weekends as needed.
Translate robust data analytics into clear, compelling narratives that demonstrate impact and inform future communication strategies.
Track and analyze digital marketing KPIs to evaluate campaign effectiveness, using data-driven insights to optimize communication strategies.
Support the Director of Marketing and Communications in identifying and pitching compelling stories to media outlets and cultivating relationships with reporters, writers and media partners aligned with the school’s mission and brand.
Monitor news trends and identify opportunities to elevate the school and highlight members of the community as thought leaders.
Assist with crisis communications.
In alignment with the school's mission and values, employees are expected to collaborate with integrity, promote respect and inclusion, contribute to a vibrant, caring school community, and demonstrate the following behaviors in the performance of their duties: Approach work with initiative and creativity, and work collaboratively across roles and departments to benefit and strengthen the school community.
Pursue ongoing professional growth and model a love of learning for colleagues and students; communicate clearly, constructively, and maintain professional behavior in all interactions.
Demonstrate sound judgment, reliability, and self-awareness; follow school policies, safety protocols, and contribute to a positive and supportive work environment.
Honor the dignity of all community members, seek to understand and value diverse perspectives, and support a culture of inclusion that contributes to people feeling valued and connected.
Act ethically in decisions and interactions, and use community resources responsibly.