Creative Director of Marketing and Communications

Groves Learning Organization (GLO) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Creative Marketing and Communications professional passionate about leading the marketing and narrative strategy for our organization. This will include marketing and creative oversight for three key areas: GLO’s on-site campus, Groves Academy, serving Grades 1-12; Groves Literacy Partnerships; and Groves Learning Center.

The Creative Director will oversee the Marketing and Communications Department, serving as a self-driven creative strategist with a deep understanding of crafting impactful marketing messages tailored to engage our diverse network, coalitions, and constituents. They will also work closely with the President and Leadership Team to devise marketing and communications strategies and contribute strategic insights to help meet annual goals across the organization.

The Creative Director collaborates with the Advancement Team, Admissions Team, Leadership Team and other staff to strategically plan, develop, create, and implement internal and external marketing and communication pieces, while ensuring clarity and consistency in brand standards including visual identity, voice and tone.

The Creative Director will create an annual marketing and communications plan and annual production schedule/calendar in collaboration with members of the Marketing team, Admissions team, the Leadership Team, Groves President and other key stakeholders.

This will include the creation and implementation of an enrollment-marketing plan for Groves Academy, encompassing strategies designed to establish a robust brand identity and drive enrollment, along with providing creative direction and support to help advance the goals of the Advancement Team.

The Creative Director will communicate effectively with leadership, sector peers and vendors regarding project planning and development:

• Owns process and works with stakeholders to ensure objectives are timely met. 
• Collaborates with stakeholders to guide brand marketing and communications strategies in accordance with divisional goals and objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Creative Director will oversee, coordinate, and participate in the development of marketing strategies and products for the organization:

• Directs and implements the organization’s advertising and promotional activities. 
• Analyzes target market information to identify and recommend effective marketing approaches. 
• Identifies new market segments that will benefit from company products. 
• Prepares effective advertising campaigns based on market research. 
• Maintains knowledge on emerging trends, products and services. 
• Collaborates with senior executives to develop growth plans for the organization. 
• Forecasts, drafts, implements, and oversees the department’s operating budget. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs and oversees miscellaneous projects and completes various tasks as reasonably requested by management.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through continuous professional development, and modeling inclusive behaviors. 
• Develops and enhances content for website optimization. 
• Works with digital marketing vendor to improve site ranking using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies, maintain website design changes and achieve project-based goals. 
• Authors original content and communications, and creates graphics as needed for leadership and marketing. 
• Utilizes social media platforms for brand building and awareness, thought leadership and campaigns. 
• Develops and manages annual production schedule/calendar for social media vehicles to ensure consistent and appropriate content and to further organizational goals. 
• Creates and manages email marketing strategy and calendar as part of managing electronic-based communications/digital media i.e. electronic newsletters, e-mail blasts, etc. 
• Creates and manages blog content strategy, calendar and implementation. 
• Creates original blog content through interviews with subject matter experts and securing authors as required. 
• Plans and oversees production of photography and video assets, ensuring messaging is aligned with the brand identity. 
• Creates strategy and calendar for workshops, conferences and events, securing speakers and presenters as required. 
• Works to develop and expand Groves thought leadership through identifying and leading opportunities such as partnerships, podcasts and other yet to be determined opportunities. 
• Proactively manages and cultivates relationships with freelance consultants, advertising agencies, printers, photographers, videographers, media consultants, news media, graphic designers, and illustrators- including competitive bidding process as required. 
• Proactively identifies news media opportunities, crafts and delivers local and national news pitches. 
• Ensures all programs and campaigns are planned to capture the attention of the intended audience. 
• Works to maximize and leverage brand loyalty and sentiment to achieve goals.

Education, Experience, and Credentials:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, English, or related field required. 
• At least five years minimum related experience in Marketing, Communications or related field required. 
• Previous work experience in a non-profit or private school setting preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in website-based platforms. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in current social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This will include maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current social media trends. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of digital advertising tactics and strategies including e-mail campaigns, SEM, display and social media ads, among others. 
• Proficiency in Canva, and the Adobe Creative Suite required (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) 
• Experience with platforms such as SalesForce, Marketo, Constant Contact, WordPress, Sprout Social, and Asana is preferred. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Thorough understanding of market developments. 
• Thorough understanding of marketing and communication strategies and practices. 
• Ability to effectively manage and collaborate with vendors. 
• Passionate, self-starting, forward-thinking, and detail-oriented leader who is collaborative and motivational. 
• Team player who creates trust, exudes credibility, and can elevate enthusiasm across the organization. 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leaders and other staff to achieve goals. 
• Proven demonstration of awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Able to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and manage own work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Able to work unsupervised, make high-level decisions independently, and solve problems effectively and creatively. 
• Able to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. 
• Works as an effective and proactive team player; understands the importance of supporting the organization, leadership, students, parents, and other employees
• Able to display high levels of customer service, responding promptly and thoroughly to the inquiries and needs of individuals both internal and external to the organization, as applicable.