Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing

Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing

Division/Department: Administration

Reports To: Head of School

Job Code: 12-month employee

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Wesley Prep:

Wesley Prep is at a pivotal moment. With the expansion to seventh and eighth grades and the launch of a bold strategic plan, clear and compelling communication is more important than ever. Our mission of inspiring confident and joyful learners guided by character, curiosity, and purpose must stand out in the competitive Dallas independent school market.

Wesley Prep is a Methodist, faith-based school where daily chapel, spiritual development, and a deep sense of belonging nurture each student’s moral and spiritual growth. We welcome families of all faith traditions and provide a safe, inclusive community where every child can explore their God-given gifts and grow into the person they are called to be.

Job Summary

We are seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing to lead this effort. This role will shape and share Wesley Prep’s market differentiators, strengthen our brand, and engage both internal and external audiences with clarity and purpose. With strong momentum and a collaborative culture, this is a unique opportunity to lead communications at a school that is growing and thriving.

The Director will develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy to elevate the School’s visibility, support enrollment and development goals, and connect with students, families, alumni, and the broader community. For a creative communicator ready to capture the joyful energy of our classrooms, the spirit of our community, and the impact of a Wesley Prep education, this is an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the School Leadership Team, the Director serves as Wesley Prep’s chief storyteller and brand steward. This position provides strategic counsel on messaging and crisis communications, while collaborating closely with Admissions, Development, and academic leaders. Developing a small team and managing external partners, the Director ensures that all communications reflect the School’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

This reimagined role calls for both vision and versatility: a thought partner to the Head of School and School Leadership Team, a collaborator across departments, and a leader who can inspire a team while also rolling up their sleeves to write, edit, and produce compelling content.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Communications Management

• Partner with the Head of School and senior leadership to shape and deliver Wesley Prep’s institutional messaging, brand positioning, and crisis communications.
• Develop and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy that supports enrollment, advancement, and community engagement.
• Establish and oversee a comprehensive communications calendar in collaboration with the Director of Development that works in conjunction with planned fundraising and community events.
• Oversee internal and external communications to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.

2. Storytelling & Brand Stewardship

• Capture and communicate the Wesley Prep story with clarity, creativity, and authenticity across all platforms.
• Oversee development of marketing materials, publications, videos, and digital storytelling, ensuring they highlight the excellence of faculty, the promise of students, and the distinctiveness of Wesley Prep.
• Safeguard and evolve the School’s visual identity and brand standards.
• Manage and maintain the school’s brand, including logos and seals, providing guidance on their appropriate usage.

3. Digital Strategy & Media Relations

• Manage and enhance the School’s website, social media channels, and digital campaigns.
• Direct photography, video production, and asset management to ensure high-quality, mission-driven content.
• Attend and document (photos and video) school and community events with an eye toward utilizing these opportunities to demonstrate Wesley Prep’s mission in action.
• Monitor analytics to evaluate effectiveness and guide data-informed improvements. Serve as the primary point of contact for media relations and public outreach.

4. Enrollment, Advancement & Community Partnerships

• Collaborate with Admissions to design enrollment marketing strategies that attract and inspire prospective families.
• Partner with Development to create compelling donor communications, campaign materials, and stewardship initiatives.
• Strengthen internal communications and community engagement across divisions and constituencies.
• Work with the Director of Admissions and Director of Development to ensure consistency in messaging and marketing strategies for student recruitment and retention, fundraising, events and special programs

5. Enrollment, Advancement & Community Partnerships

• Collaborate with Admissions to design enrollment marketing strategies that attract and inspire prospective families.
• Partner with Development to create compelling donor communications, campaign materials, and stewardship initiatives.
• Strengthen internal communications and community engagement across divisions and constituencies.
• Work with the Director of Admissions and Director of Development to ensure consistency in messaging and marketing strategies for student recruitment and retention, fundraising, events and special programs
• Work with the Director of Development on all event marketing and materials related to Spooktacular, Auction, and other hallmark fundraising events.

6. Team Leadership & Operations

• Supervise, mentor, and inspire department staff members, manage department’s budget, and provide creative and hands-on support for a variety of school-wide events.
• Manage the communications budget and external vendor relationships.
• Ensure all communications align with the School’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Skills

• Demonstrated success developing integrated strategies that strengthen brand visibility and drive measurable results.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, adaptable across multiple platforms and audiences.
• Proficiency with digital platforms including websites, social media, and email marketing tools.
• Familiarity with design, photography, and video production processes.
• Strong leadership skills with experience supervising staff and managing budgets.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents and thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment.
• Demonstrated professional behavior, including discretion, judgment and integrity.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• At least five years progressive experience in communications and marketing, ideally in an independent school or mission-driven nonprofit

Abuse Risk Management Standards:

• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with students.
• Attends required abuse risk management training.
• Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors.
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Ensures students are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized employees are allowed in the facility, etc.

Working Environment:

• Vibrant office environment.
• Frequent interaction with school staff, faculty, students, and parents.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.
• Generally 40% sitting, 40% walking and 20% standing.
• Minimal temperature variations (heat conditions)
• Generally hazard free environment.

HOW TO APPLY

Wesley Prep has engaged DovetailED to lead our search for our next Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing to start as soon as hired.

Interested candidates should review the Opportunity Statement and submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a consolidated PDF to Lynda Hamilton-Kirk at lynda@dovetailedsourcing.com.