Menlo School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for students in grades six through twelve. Located in Atherton, California, and established in 1915, the School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National and California Associations of Independent Schools.

Menlo is dedicated to providing a challenging academic curriculum complemented by outstanding creative arts and athletic programs. The School helps students develop positive values and nurtures character development in a supportive environment that upholds the highest moral and ethical standards. Our program encourages students to reach their fullest potential and to develop the skills necessary to respond intelligently and humanely to the complexities of a diverse and increasingly interconnected world.

At Menlo School, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our organizational identity. Through our daily efforts, the School demonstrates a shared commitment to the development of all stakeholders by supporting a campus ethos where equity, diversity, and inclusion reflect the major cornerstones of our community.

As the lead storyteller at Menlo, the Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for leading the talented Menlo Communications Team, which consists of an Associate Director of Communications, Communications Manager and Senior Content Editor, Video Producer, Photographer and Digital Content Specialist, Sports Information Director, and School Receptionist. The Director is responsible for the school’s strategic communications and  collaborates with other leaders in the school  to advance the mission, program, goals and culture of the school by finding creative ways to highlight what is uniquely Menlo and by reminding our broad constituent groups who we are and what we stand for. They also oversee content that delivers timely and relevant information across all channels (web, social media, digital signage, email, and print) to appropriate community members. The Director of Communications serves as a member of Menlo’s leadership team and reports directly to the Head of School. 

This position is available starting in the summer of 2022, though the ability to engage in a graduated onboarding and review of the school’s processes before then would be highly desirable. 

Primary Responsibilities & Opportunities

• Lead and manage the communications team, as well as supervise contract partners, vendors, and volunteers. 
• Implement and continually improve the communications strategy, along with the accompanying policies, practices, and tactical plans.
• Understand key Menlo audiences (e.g. Students, alumni, parents, prospective families, faculty and staff, donors, etc.) and promote connection and relationship through effective ongoing strategic communications with these groups.
• Collect and analyze data on readership and impact of communications channels, including but not limited to weekly digital communications, Menlo Magazine, social media channels, the annual report, school-wide letters, speeches, admissions materials, development campaign content, and more.
• Support admissions, development, college counseling, faculty and staff recruitment, publications, advertising, media relations, and capital campaign needs.
• Provide oversight for consistent communications, messaging, and branding (aligned with the school’s style guide and visual identity policies) across all departments, divisions, campuses, and programs.
• Provide crisis communications support as needed and serve as a spokesperson for the school where appropriate. 
• Serve as external relations liaison for media outlets (online, print, TV, radio, etc.) and community organizations.
• Monitor media coverage, Google alerts, and social media outlets in order to track and provide notifications.
• Manage the communications department budget and effectively utilize available resources.

Requirements

A successful candidate in this position will:

• Be a big picture thinker who can translate ideas into strategy and execution,
• Exhibit a nerd-level passion for communication strategy, implementation, and analysis,
• Possess outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders,
• Have the ability to humanize complex ideas and make them relevant,
• Demonstrate a proven ability in utilizing various communication platforms and technologies to perform effectively,
• Bring experience developing clear and compelling materials in a variety of formats,
• Have experience managing projects from concept through fruition with a high degree of detail-orientation,
• Possess supreme calm and patience in moments of crisis and be comfortable working with tight deadlines,
• Wake up eager to work collaboratively with colleagues on the Senior Administration and Communication teams to further the school’s strategic and day-to-day communication goals,
• Demonstrate daily deep character through a sense of humor and appreciation for the absurdities in life, a commitment to moral principles, a compassion, empathy and grace that allows for others to find a sense of belonging around them and supreme integrity,
• Bring strong organizational, and project management skills, as well as valuable perspectives from previous professional environments and personal experiences,
• Have an accomplished eye for design: experience designing collateral, or working with vendors to communicate vision for a project,
• Take advantage of opportunities for professional growth, leadership, and community building,
• Have excellent judgement, resourcefulness and ability to drive forward to results with limited oversight,
• Have a Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience.

  We Offer

• An exceptional work environment and caring community
• Excellent professional development opportunities
• Highly competitive salary
• A comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families
• Generous contributions to 403b retirement plan
• Free lunch on campus when school is in session
• On-campus child care center
• Tuition remission
• Many other perks and benefits

Working Environment and Physical Demands

• The job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment, but there may be possible exposure to childhood diseases and illnesses
• Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities with average interior dust with occasional exposure to outdoor elements
• Exposure to a normal school environment that is usually quiet but sometimes noisy

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a school employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions. Reasonable accommodation may be requested to enable individuals to perform the essential responsibilities of the job:

• Ability to sit, stand, move, communicate, manipulate art tools, speak, hear and read during the course of normal activities
• Able to use computers and other tools
• Able to move items weighing up to 10 pounds
• Ability to think and concentrate for sustained periods of time
• In-person attendance necessary to provide an effective level of performance during regular school hours

Menlo School is an Equal Opportunity Employer