Communications Manager

Reports to: Director of Institutional Advancement

Employment Information: Full time, 12-month, non-union position

Position Scope:

The Communications Manager is responsible for creating, coordinating, and sharing communications that promote awareness of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (PSD), its programs, services, and mission. This position develops and manages content for PSD’s website, social media accounts, print materials, and other internal and external communications. Working closely with the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Communications Manager plans and carries out marketing and communications activities to share information about PSD, highlight school programs and activities, and strengthen the school's public image and brand. The Communications Manager works with departments across the school and external consultants, as needed, to gather information, develop content, and ensure that communications accurately represent PSD, its students, programs, and community.

Responsibilities:

• Manages PSD’s web platform (WordPress), website design, and digital content, including online payment platforms, while working closely with relevant departments school-wide.
• Creates and manages a social media content calendar that plans what PSD will share, when it will be shared, and on which platforms. Includes timely content about school events, activities, news, and accomplishments, as well as ongoing content that highlights PSD's programs, services, history, and community.
• Supports the development of digital content to highlight PSD’s purpose/mission, shared value, culture, and working environment to connect with both Deaf community, alumni, donors and prospective employees.
• Leads graphic design and print production for all printed PSD materials, including event invitations, signage, sponsorship materials, online marketing, giveaways, fundraising campaigns, and promotional materials.
• Grows social media communities through proactive identification of users with aligned interests, related social media pages, and partner agencies.
• Seeks out, researches, and videotapes campus news stories for school publications, website, and media distribution with an eye for accuracy while also ensuring the needed approvals for content that includes minors.
• Assists with PSD World magazine and works with the Director  of Institutional Advancement to assemble and illustrate content.
• Assists in coordinating distribution of global email communications (MailChimp) with school constituents and coordinates e-blasts to the Deaf community.
• Promotes goodwill and community relations for the school through working with outside community groups.
• Attends PSD events on and off campus, during regular school hours and occasionally nights and weekends, to capture content for various channels.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• ASL proficiency required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of hands-on digital marketing experience.
• Proficient command of visual design, including image experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva and video editing software.
• Tech-savvy and experience working with a variety of web platforms, digital platforms, media platforms, and more.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects adjusting to changing priorities, circumstances
• Track record of building beautiful and engaging marketing content
• Collaborative spirit with an understanding of how to leverage and support existing content, initiatives, and contributions.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, verbal, and computer skills.
• Detail-oriented.
• Ability to read and interpret documents as well as write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, students, visitors, and other key constituents.
• Ability to collaborate and effectively communicate with colleagues, departments, and consultants. 
• Previous experience working with diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Ability to problem-solve through empathy and patience. 

Physical Demands:

This position may require the following physical demands:

• Occasionally lift up to 15 lbs.
• Generally works in standard office conditions and climate.
• Works in a highly stressful environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines and a varied and diverse array of contacts.
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines.
• Near vision sufficient to read written communications and computer display screen.