What You Will Do – Responsibilities of the Position:
The Director of Marketing and Communications is a key leadership role responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that enhances the school’s visibility, strengthens its brand, and engages internal and external audiences. This role will oversee all aspects of messaging, digital presence, media relations, and content creation to ensure alignment with the school’s mission and strategic priorities.
This is a full time leadership position with a start date of Summer 2025 (Time TBD).
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications: Develop and implement a marketing and communications strategy that promotes the school’s mission, values, and distinct educational model.
Brand Management: Ensure consistency in branding, messaging, and visual identity across all platforms and communications.
Content Creation: Oversee the development of compelling written, visual, and multimedia content for the website, social media, newsletters, print materials, and other channels.
Digital Marketing & Social Media: Manage and grow the school’s digital presence, including the website, email marketing, and social media channels.
Public & Media Relations: Build relationships with local and national media, draft press releases, and proactively seek opportunities for positive media coverage.
Admissions & Development Support: Collaborate with the Admissions and Development teams to create targeted marketing materials and campaigns to support enrollment and fundraising initiatives.
Community Engagement: Foster strong relationships with current families, alumni, and community partners to strengthen engagement and advocacy.
Event Promotion: Develop and execute promotional strategies for key school events, open houses, and fundraising initiatives.
Crisis Communications: Lead and execute crisis communication strategies in coordination with school leadership.
Vendor & Budget Management: Manage external marketing vendors, printers, designers, and consultants while overseeing the department’s budget effectively.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
Minimum of three years of experience in marketing, communications, or public relations, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
Strong knowledge of digital marketing, SEO, and social media best practices.
Experience managing websites (Finalsite or similar CMS), email marketing platforms, and analytics tools.
Graphic design and video production experience is a plus.
Ability to think strategically while executing day-to-day communications needs.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Additionally, colleagues who thrive at Barrie commit to:
Living out the mission and values of the institution
What we’re pursuing as a school; they are professionally engaged
Being a flexible and creative thinker who is comfortable taking risks
Actively pursuing and modeling diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts
Taking accountability for all areas of responsibility
Being a positive team player in a highly collaborative environment
Being enthusiastic, joyful, and curious about teaching and learning
Being an effective communicator
Remaining open to feedback and continual growth.
Salary Range $85,000 - $110,000
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a portfolio of work (if available). A review of candidates will begin in mid-February.
Established in 1932 as the first racially integrated educational institution in the region, Barrie School is a progressive independent school that inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility through innovation in learning. The school serves to empower our students to expand their intellectual abilities, develop their creative talents, and discover their passions to make a positive impact in a rapidly changing world. Serving a diverse and inclusive student body, our intentional educational throughline—from Montessori (3 months to Grade 5) to Project-Based Learning (Grades 6 to 12)—cultivates learning that lasts. Our challenging educational experiences unlock intrinsic motivation and innovation in students, faculty, and staff. Above all, our community fosters a deep sense of belonging by honoring student voice and responsibility.
Located close to D.C., Barrie School provides an extraordinary learning environment integrating local, national, and global educational opportunities. Our verdant, 45-acre campus of open fields, streams, ponds, and forests provides space for learning and play. Barrie encourages students to develop their own interests and unique talents t...hrough hands-on, experiential learning that promotes 21st-century outcomes, including:
Analytical and creative thinking and problem-solving
Complex written and oral communication
Leadership and teamwork
Digital and quantitative literacy
Global perspectives
Adaptability, initiative, and risk-taking
Integrity and ethical decision-making
Barrie is also home to the Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies—one of the largest school-based teacher education programs in the country—and Barrie Camp, a Washington, D.C.-area tradition since the 1950s.