Director of Marketing and Communications

About Sacred Heart School of Halifax

A top independent school in Atlantic Canada, and one of Nova Scotia’s only Catholic schools, Sacred Heart School of Halifax has been teaching the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — for over 176 years. Our iconic campus in the heart of Halifax offers a diamond model of education: co-ed in JP-Grade 6, single-gender in Grades 7-9, and co-ed in Grades 10-12. With a network of schools around the world, a rich and proud history, and a strong and unique set of core values, we offer not just an education but an experience that is unparalleled in this region. Sacred Heart School of Halifax is proudly accredited by Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals (SHCOG). Visit us at www.shsh.ca.

About the Role

We are searching for a dynamic and strategic Director of Marketing and Communications. The successful candidate will lead all marketing and communications efforts to advance the Mission, Strategic Plan, and Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart School of Halifax. The Director is responsible for protecting and elevating the School’s brand and reputation, developing strategic marketing initiatives to strengthen its value proposition, increase awareness, and grow enrollment. As a key member of the Leadership and Institutional Advancement teams, the Director provides strategic counsel on communications, issues management, and organizational direction while collaborating closely with Admissions, Advancement, and other members of the Leadership Team. The position oversees all internal and external messaging, digital platforms, media relations, and market research to ensure cohesive, data-informed, and mission-aligned storytelling, advancing the School's mission and living and sharing our School's vision of excellence in education, as embodied in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education. Reporting to the Head of the School, this position is part of the School’s Leadership Team and is responsible for supervising one direct employee.

Primary Duties

• Ensure all marketing and communications messages and activities promote and align with the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart School of Halifax.
• Manage the School’s brand and reputation from both an internal and external point of view, and lead the promotion of the School’s value proposition, ensuring its differentiation and relevance in the marketplace.
• Lead all communications for the School, including the creation and execution of messages, strategies, and calendars across departments to support the School's Mission and Strategic Plan.  
• Direct the School's marketing, including the development and execution of strategic plans and initiatives to define value proposition, increase awareness, and grow enrollment.
• As a member of the Institutional Advancement Team, collaborate closely with the Directors of Admissions and Advancement to support enrollment, advancement, and strategic activities and goals. 
• Work as part of the Leadership Team and with the Board of Governors to develop and integrate the School's strategic direction, advance the School's Mission, address internal and external issues, and collaborate on major initiatives.
• Provide counsel, strategic advice, and support to the Head of School, Leadership Team, and Board of Governors for communications and issues management, including risk mitigation and crisis communication.
• Lead all market research and community/stakeholder consultation and engagement, including during times of change. 
• Collaborate on and support events overseen by the Advancement Department, Parents’ Guild, CAIS and SHCOG steering committees, and other groups and departments where relevant.
• Act as the primary point of contact for media, respond to story leads, and generate positive media coverage of the School. As required, act as the School representative/spokesperson. 
• Collaborate with counterparts across the Sacred Heart Network to communicate and market our local, US/Canada, and global family. 

Communications

• Manage the annual communications calendar, aligned to the annual school calendar, and collaborate closely with the Leadership Team and senior administrators on all internal and external messaging for the School’s primary constituencies.   
• Write, edit, and disseminate all relevant communications, including messages, newsletters, reports, press releases, speeches, promotional copy, web copy, and all related collateral and publications.  
• Ensure the School’s voice, tone, brand, and messaging are consistent across all platforms and for all audiences. 

Marketing

• Leverage data, insights, and analytics to shape all marketing-related messaging and media choices.
• Prepare and execute annual marketing plans and related activities, including multi-channel advertising and digital content in conjunction with the Strategic Enrollment and Marketing Plan (SEM) and based on enrollment gaps, market data, analytics, and collaboration with outside agency partners.
• In collaboration with the IT Department and outside partners, manage the School’s website — design, content, and functionality — and related portals. 
• Work closely with long-standing marketing, design, and printing partners to manage and optimize the School’s brand, aesthetic, and print/digital materials. 
• Lead the School’s market research, including numerous constituent surveys and feedback mechanisms and be responsible for the compilation and reporting of all related data.
• Oversee the Digital Content Coordinator and ensure the social media strategy, messaging, imagery, and responses are consistent, aligned with our brand guidelines and voice, and creatively and powerfully use storytelling at its heart. 
• Oversee all marketing-related sponsorships, partnerships, brand integrations, and events.

Strategic Leadership

• Work closely as part of the School’s Leadership Team and as part of the Institutional Advancement Team on the strategic direction and enrollment growth of the School.
• Work closely with the Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations on advancement initiatives.
• Work closely with the Director of Admissions on the Strategic Enrollment and Marketing Plans.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A degree in public relations. marketing, communications, or a related field. 
• At least seven years of marketing and communications leadership experience, preferably in an educational setting or the not-for-profit industry. Familiarity with advancement and/or fundraising would be an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to nurture strong internal and external relationships. 
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills. 
• A creative vision and strong graphic and aesthetic sensibility.
• Experience with Google platforms. Familiarity with the Blackbaud suite of products would be an asset. 
• Proven expertise in a high-volume communications setting, including experience in managing communications and editorial calendars. 
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business growth through marketing and proficiency in using data to drive effective decision-making. 
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, issues management, and crisis communications.
• Experience advising senior leaders and serving as spokesperson.
• Experience managing budgets and teams.
• Knowledge of current principles, trends and emerging issues in communications and marketing, particularly related to branding, digital content and strategy, and community engagement. 
• Flexibility and a willingness to be invested in the School’s success, including the ability to step outside the job description for the greater good of the School and community. 
• Strategic thinking, strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational capabilities.
• Unflinching integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to handle confidential information sensitively.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines and goals.
• Comfort in taking part in non-marketing and communications school functions as a means of building community and engagement. 
• Flexibility to organize and attend events and communicate with constituents outside of traditional business hours. 

A clear and active commitment to the Sacred Heart goals, criteria, and educational philosophy is essential. This role is one of the School’s primary ambassadors and requires a positive, warm, and outgoing person. 

Interested applicants should send their résumé accompanied by a cover letter to careers@shsh.ca. 

The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they come in. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including a parking spot, health and dental insurance, RRSP, and a wonderful work environment.

We encourage applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians, and other racially visible persons, persons with disabilities, and women. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter or resume.

Conditions of Employment:

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Registry Clearance, in addition to a reference check.