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.
Pay Range: $85,000 to $110,000 per Year
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.
Barrie School is a progressive independent school that inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility through innovation in learning. Serving a diverse and inclusive student body, our intentional educational throughline—from Montessori (3 months to Grade 5) to Project-Based Learning (Grade 6 to Grade 12)—cultivates learning that lasts. Our challenging educational experiences unlock intrinsic motivation and innovation in both students and faculty., and our community fosters a deep sense of belonging and honors student voice and responsibility. All of this comes together to create engaged citizens with diverse and inclusive worldviews who are confident to be and advocate for themselves.
Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, Barrie School provides an extraordinary learning environment integrating local, national, and global educational opportunities. Our 45-acre campus is home to the world-renowned Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies—one of the largest school-based teacher training programs in the country—and Barrie Camp, a Washington, D.C. area tradition since the 1950s.
Under the leadership of new Head of School Ben Thrash, Barrie School is primed fo...r an exciting school journey in the coming years. With a focus on the future of learning in schools, Barrie understands the importance of focusing on learning impact and the recognition that schools need to be different to meet the needs of today’s youth. Barrie School is committed to this pursuit.