Salary: $100,000 - $115,000/year, dependent on experience

Director, Marketing & Communications

Position Profile

About Fraser Academy

Fraser Academy Association (FA) was founded to serve a vital community need. Since 1982, it has become recognized as a leader in North America by leveling the playing field for students with dyslexia, primarily as an independent school (Fraser Academy). Today, FA has expanded its impact through an Outreach and Training Centre (FAx) reaching across BC, Canada and the world. Leading a pioneering initiative to establish Canada's first Centre for Dyslexia, it is now on an exciting journey to deepen its commitment to the community.

We serve a gap in the system where approximately 20% of the student population is under-served by mainstream education. The ripple impact of our programming also adds great social value. While people with dyslexia have skills and strengths that are in demand in the 21st century, when unsupported, they are vulnerable to social and emotional risks such as mental health issues, substance abuse, homelessness, higher drop-out rates, and poverty/underemployment.

We are proud to be at the forefront of educational and training practices with the most effective research-based methods. Our track record shows what is possible in setting children and youth with dyslexia up to thrive in education and life. For more information please visit us at www.fraseracademy.ca and www.centrefordyslexia.ca.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), and with accountability to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Head of School (“HS”), the Director, Marketing & Communications (DMC) is responsible for the development and execution of a marketing, public relations and communications program that supports strategic priorities and desired outcomes. The DMC provides leadership, strategic vision and direction to a small team of marketing and communications professionals who are integral to serving our programming and helping drive philanthropy, fee-based revenue, community impact and support.

The DMC is a key partner to FA's leadership to support our deeper community expansion by promoting the organization's meaningful vision of Changing Destiny by Changing Minds. Through building awareness locally, nationally and globally, this role is key to elevating the FA brand while helping lead the initiative to establish Canada's first Centre for Dyslexia.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of success and bring expertise in multi-channel platforms, promoting diverse service lines and a strong ability to manage a small team while rolling up their sleeves. They will have expertise in all aspects of marketing and communications, including the use of video in story-telling, brand consistency, segmentation, analytics, and meaningful measurement.

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time (1.0), Exempt

Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer

Responsibilities:

• Develops, leads, and executes an integrated, comprehensive strategic marketing, communications, and public relations plan to serve organizational priorities/goals and enhance brand value.
• Uses research, analytics, and metrics with KPIs to evaluate program impact, success, and inform strategy staying abreast of trends/best practices, keeping CAO, CEO, HS and other leaders (e.g. Director Enrolment) briefed appropriately.
• Engages, and sets up for success, the CEO and HS as lead strategists and ambassadors, and other FA leaders, in communication and marketing activities, including coaching on social media use to support the brand.
• Leads, mentors and motivates a marketing and communications (MarCom) team to be high-performing, including collaborative, and that:
  • is creative and innovative in its approach to position FA, the Centre and their programs as leaders/ing in education, dyslexia and society;
  • executes across multiple communications channels, including print and digital media, speeches, presentations, newsletters, publications, brochures, media releases, proposal development, video, case statements, campaign materials, mass and individual communications;
  • employs (and documents) efficient operational processes, knowledge and competency to best meet the needs of FA and the Centre.
• Responsible for performance goals/management and supporting career development of the MarCom team, which (currently) includes the Communications Coordinator and Marketing & Communications Officer.
• Chief writer, content creator and editor on key institutional marketing and communications materials while supporting the team in their writing, editing etc.
• Responsible for day to day operations, and developing and managing the marketing and communications budget, with proper oversight of expenditures.
• Ensures highly effective project management of initiatives (and associated deliverables), including personnel, resources, time and budget.
• Responsible for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the marketing & communications plan. Ensures that evaluation systems for measurement and best practices are employed.
• Implements and evaluates integrated internal and external marketing and communications plans to serve all program pillars, functions and goals of FA and the Centre (including Advancement and external relations activities).
• Develops, and maintains an organizational crisis communications plan and team, including clear protocols and accountabilities.
• Manages relationships with external vendors and consultants (marketing consultant, graphic designer, media relations, videographers, etc.)
• Develops and delegates the deployment, at the tactical level, of all print and digital marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities, including design, website, social media, advertising.
• Oversees the development (content development, editorial direction, design) and production of all public materials for program areas and departments, distribution strategy, internal agency-wide internal comms and intranet content.
• Coordinates media interest and maintains regular contact with target media, as well as school and dyslexia associations.
• Protects brands, proactively managing reputational risk and issues.
• Supports all departments/program areas with respect to proper graphic use and branding, develops key messages and assists with associated scripting.
• Develops and oversees local, national and international marketing initiatives.
• Works in close collaboration with i) Admissions to support high engagement from the community to meet enrolment targets (annual and for growth) ii) the wider Advancement team to support fundraising, alumni and external relations.
• Provides dedicated communications support to the CEO, HS and Board (examples, script writing, communications, presentations).

Core Competencies:

• Inspiring Leader & Manager: values-based professional, driven by causes with impeccable integrity; engages the team in all “wins”, cares about their growth - and motivates them to achieve their individual and collective potential.
• Communications Excellence: uses communication to engage diverse audiences and clients to realize clear goals while able to demonstrate the impact and measurement of such interactions.
• Strategic & Creative: consistently integrates organization's priorities and goals into all work and decisions; skilled at developing and implementing engaging marcom plans and programs that engage and inspire.
• Relationship Builder & Collaborator: establishes & maintains connections through all internal and external relations; walking definition of a team player, including engaging different ideas and perspectives when developing new campaigns.

Requirements:

• 7+ years experience as an inspiring, creative leader of an effective Marketing & Communications department, preferably in a not-for-profit/educational setting.
• Proven and demonstrable track record of outstanding communications and marketing, including growing a brand.
• University degree, preferably at the honours level, in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications, or a related field.
• A growth-mindset, can-do attitude and savviness to optimize the capacity of a smaller team while focusing on their growth through developing their skills.
• High level of maturity, competence, and professionalism with outstanding written and oral communication skills, including proven excellence in content creation, story-telling, editing, and writing effectively and persuasively to engage and resonate with a diverse range of target audiences.
• Strategic thinking, creativeness, project planning, budget, project, and human resource management skills, including hiring, directing, evaluating.
• Sound understanding of fundraising, alumni & external relations is a strong asset.
• Self-motivated with strong project, budget management and organizational skills with ability to seamlessly handle and deliver on multiple deadline-driven tasks.
• Advanced working knowledge of Google suite and social media tools.

To Apply:

FA offers an inspiring, supportive, and flexible environment, with competitive compensation packages. Salary based on experience: $100K-$115K; hybrid considered.

If this role is a good fit, we would love to hear from you! To apply, please address your resume, cover letter, and a sample communications piece/portfolio (that you're proud of!), to Human Resources, HERE. Applications are encouraged immediately with a deadline of November 22, 2024. First-round Interviews may take place as strong applications are received.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.