Director of Communications in Houston, Texas at The Fay School

Director of Communications

Performance Profile

Position Summary

The Director of Communications is a collaborative, creative, and hands-on member of The Fay School’s Advancement team responsible for executing the School’s communications, marketing, and storytelling. The Director brings the life of Fay to its audiences through timely, engaging, polished, and consistent communications across platforms. The successful candidate is an exceptional doer who thrives in a fast-moving school environment, demonstrates strong attention to detail, and takes projects from idea through execution. A deep understanding of Fay’s mission, vision, Strategic Plan, programs, and culture guides all communications and storytelling. Fay’s public identity emphasizes leadership development through emotional intelligence, experiential and outdoor learning, strong academics, student agency, and community. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, 12-month position reporting to the Director of Advancement. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexibility as approved. The position includes 10 vacation days and 10 PTO days annually.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Execute Fay’s communications and marketing strategy across digital, print, social media, email, website, photography, video, and other channels.
• Seek out and tell the stories of daily life at Fay by capturing student learning, leadership, outdoor experiences, faculty excellence, traditions, community, and joy.
• Manage Fay’s social media presence by creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring engaging content across platforms.
• Create and distribute school-wide communications for families, employees, alumni, donors, prospective families, and other audiences.
• Maintain The Fay School website with accurate, current, engaging, and brand-aligned content and imagery.
• Produce high-quality written and visual content for newsletters, website stories, admissions and Advancement materials, annual reports, invitations, signage, and other needs.
• Capture and manage photography of daily campus life, learning, events, traditions, and other important moments.
• Create and coordinate video content independently and with the Multimedia Specialist and outside vendors.
• Support Admissions communications and marketing to help prospective families understand and experience what makes Fay distinctive.
• Support Advancement communications for the Annual Fund, fundraising, alumni engagement, donor stewardship, events, and the Annual Report.
• Maintain Fay’s visual and verbal brand standards across print, digital, signage, promotional materials, spirit wear, and other branded materials.
• Manage communications platforms and digital tools including the website, Mailchimp, social media, ISSUU, online profiles, Microsoft Forms, SignUpGenius, and other systems.
• Leverage artificial intelligence and emerging technologies responsibly to improve efficiency, creativity, workflow, and execution while protecting accuracy, confidentiality, authenticity, and Fay’s voice.
• Monitor Fay’s digital presence and reputation and elevate concerns, questions, and opportunities appropriately.
• Maintain the communications calendar and workflow to ensure projects, campaigns, events, and recurring communications are accurate and on time.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and school leadership to gather information, develop content, and support communication needs.
• Proofread and quality-check communications for accuracy, grammar, tone, formatting, brand consistency, and audience.
• Coordinate with outside vendors including designers, printers, photographers, videographers, and consultants as needed.
• Support Advancement and school-wide events through communications, photography, marketing, signage, and collateral.
• Remain highly visible and engaged in school life to identify and capture the people, experiences, and moments that tell Fay’s story.
• Use a smartphone and other necessary technology to capture content, manage platforms, communicate, and fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Competency Profile:

• Values inclusion and belonging: Fosters a welcoming and inclusive community.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and sound judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully and constructively.
• Understands and supports the School’s direction: Acts in alignment with Fay’s mission, vision, Strategic Plan, policies, and priorities.
• Communicates effectively: Communicates clearly and professionally across audiences.
• Embraces feedback and continuous improvement: Seeks feedback and opportunities to grow.
• Contributes positively to school culture: Supports a healthy, collaborative, and collegial workplace.
• Represents and advances the School: Models and promotes Fay’s vision, values, and strategic direction.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.