Director Communications and Marketing chez Archdiocese of Chicago

The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools serve more than 40,000 students in 150+ elementary and high schools in Cook and Lake counties. It is one of the largest private school systems in the United States. Its schools have received 96 Blue Ribbon awards from the U.S. Department of Education over the past 10 years. 

Why join us?

A great education transforms lives, but great schools don’t just happen. They’re built by intentionality, teamwork, and love. The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago are experiencing a renaissance of academic achievement, instruction rooted in timeless values, and heightened parent interest.
Catholic schools have been a pillar in communities throughout Chicago, Cook, and Lake counties for generations. We are now preparing the next generation to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually in the 21st Century.
Effective communication – with parents, students, educators, staff, and parishes – is at the heart of nearly everything we do. We can only be excellent if we have excellent communications with our families, employees, and many stakeholders.

The Opportunity

We seek a Senior Director of Communications and Marketing to lead the Office of Catholic Schools’ (OCS) multi-faceted communications and marketing efforts to advance Chicago’s Catholic schools. As a member of the Superintendent’s leadership team, the person should be a strong collaborator, problem solver, strategic thinker, relationship builder, and organizational leader who is committed to the mission of Catholic education.
OCS is part of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which has an Office of Communications that supports many units throughout the archdiocese. The Senior Director is part of the OCS team and works closely with the Archdiocese Office of Communications to support the Church and its schools.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Superintendent, other staff within the Office of Catholic Schools (OCS), and the Archdiocese’s Office of Communications, the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing will:
• Develop and implement an external communications plan to increase awareness and strengthen perceptions of Catholic schools among various audiences, including prospective parents, public officials, and other potential partners,
• Oversee a comprehensive internal communications plan that provides principals, teachers, staff, current families, and OCS staff with timely, important information about our schools and school system,
• Lead the Office of Catholic Schools’ student marketing and recruitment efforts, including social media, paid and earned media, and direct support for schools,
• Lead the Office of Catholic Schools’ efforts to provide brand awareness marketing, expanding the top of the enrollment funnel for our schools, through overseeing a robust social media presence and directing earned media and traditional/digital advertising,
• Work with the Director of Enrollment Management & Marketing to determine effective methods of direct support for our school enrollment/retention teams,
• Ensure all OCS communications are well-written, effective, and on-message,
• Manage a team of 2 to 3 OCS marketing and communications staff and the work of outside consultants,
• Manage media relations for the Office of Catholic Schools alongside the Archdiocese’s Office of Communications media relations staff,
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Archdiocese of Chicago School Board’s Marketing Committee, and
• Utilize the staff of the Archdiocesan Office of Communications, including its graphic designers, publications staff, and video and photography staff.

All these responsibilities are to be carried out to support our schools’ enrollment, academic and financial sustainability goals.

Who are we?

The Office of Catholic Schools oversees nearly 150 schools in Chicago, suburban Cook County and Lake County. We also have collaborative relationships with 12 independent Catholic elementary schools and 28 independent Catholic high schools. We serve over 60,000 students from diverse racial, ethnic, economic, language, and faith backgrounds.
Each school strives to create a community where students receive an excellent education in a safe, welcoming, faith-based environment. Our schools deliver a well-rounded program that includes rigorous academics, moral and spiritual growth, and concern for each student’s social-emotional well-being. We have high expectations for our students, faculty and staff but also provide support to help them succeed.

Who are you?
You should consider this role if you are…
• Excited by the opportunity to shape and deliver an inspiring message about Catholic education to the more than 6 million residents of Cook and Lake counties,
• Energized by the opportunity to support Catholic schools to tell their story,
• Experienced working with and coordinating the efforts of teams of professionals,
• Someone who is strategic and believes in prioritizing, including being willing to say no, and
• Someone who will not stop until the team you lead finds measurable success.

Ideal Experiences and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:
• 10 years of communications experience that reflects progressively complex responsibilities
• A demonstrated ability to function successfully in a complex institutional environment
• Experience successfully managing people and projects
• A Bachelor’s degree

Experience with schools is a plus, but not required. Because our Catholic schools educate students who are Catholic and students who are not, candidates for this position are not required to be Catholic but they are required to enthusiastically support the mission of Catholic education.

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.

This position has an annualized salary range of $ 125,992.85 - $163,790.70.  An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.