Communications Specialist

Lakeside School is looking for a communications specialist: a full-time, year-round staff position at a values-focused school that is setting the bar in education. Working as a member of a collaborative team, you’ll use your strong digital, technological, writing, and project management skills to communicate the mission and work of the Lakeside School to alums, employees, parents and guardians, students, donors, and prospective families. This position is based out of our hybrid office on Lakeside’s beautiful campus in North Seattle, a few blocks from a light rail station set to open in 2024.

You

• Bring a client-services approach to helping colleagues do their best work.
• Demonstrate curiosity, honesty, and respect when working with people of all ages and a variety of backgrounds.
• Enjoy helping people of all ages and abilities understand and embrace digital tools and ways of communicating.
• Are committed to playing an active role in making the school an inclusive and equitable workplace and learning environment.
• Appreciate the youthful energy of our diverse community of students and being part of the support network that helps them thrive.
• Are a lifelong learner who values professional development and learning across a variety of disciplines.
  
  

Position Duties And Responsibilities

Website and digital media

• Manage the Finalsite content management system (CMS) for the school’s website, email newsletters, and branded emails. Deliver client services to school programs and offices using the CMS, including supporting colleagues, troubleshooting issues, and overseeing content.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues and colleagues in offices around the school to write, update, edit, and proofread print and digital content, including news articles, announcements, slides, webinars, and calendar information.
• Coordinate production, proofreading/quality assurance, and distribution of monthly and semimonthly email newsletters.
• Coordinate and advocate for processes for inclusive communication, including translation software, closed captioning, and access to materials.
• Process, closed-caption, and post webinars on the parents and guardians webpage.
• Coordinate with the technology and business offices to validate accurate data transfers between the website and other information systems (ex: student information system). ? Manage the annual rollover (import/export) process of the website and web calendar.
• Using Google Analytics and reports from the CMS, analyze the effectiveness of communications tools in reaching intended audiences. Collaborate on collecting qualitative data collection from community members. Report conclusions and make recommendations for improving school communications.
• Monitor, problem-solve, or redirect to appropriate resources incoming inquiries via webhelp email inbox
  
  

Photography

• Coordinate Lakeside’s process for photography collection, and work to ensure that marketing and communications are inclusive of all members of the school community and reflect the community in an authentic way.
• Coordinate professional on-campus photography, taking into account institutional photographic needs; includes marketing photography and annual school picture days.
• Take campus photography, including classrooms and student activities, as needed.
  
  

Issues Management and Crisis Response

• In coordination with the director of communications and director of community safety, execute aspects of the school’s emergency notification system.
• Assist with monitoring media and social media during crisis situations.
• Assist the school’s crisis communications response team, as needed.
  
  

Other

• Collaborate with team members on communications projects, including setting institutional communications strategy; collecting qualitative and quantitative data; etc.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements And Qualifications

• A minimum of two years’ experience working in marketing or communications, preferably in a values-driven organization or business.
• Demonstrated professional experience with content management systems and mass-mailing email platforms.
• Strong skills in writing, editing, and spoken communication.
• Excellent collaboration and strong listening skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Responsive to deadlines and detail oriented.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, use good judgment, problem solve, and think creatively.
• Computer proficiency is required, with extensive experience with Microsoft Office and a working knowledge of Google Workspace tools, photography, and photo and video editing software.
• Experience in digital marketing and a basic knowledge of HTML are a plus.
• The ability to stand and sit for long periods, walk up and down stairs, and move between the Middle and Upper School campuses, a distance of 0.3 miles that includes a gentle hill.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness, including knowledge of themselves and the cultural lenses they bring to interactions. The candidate will understand different perspectives; interact respectfully with cultures other than their own; and cultivate meaningful relationships with people that have different cultural frameworks.
• Candidates must satisfactorily complete three criminal history background checks.
  
  

Salary And Benefits

Salary Range: $58,818 - $ 79,404

Pay is based on several factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Lakeside School is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding candidates and provides a

Competitive Compensation Package. Benefits Include

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (based on FTE)
• Dependent medical and vision subsidy
• Retirement with generous employer contribution
• Life/disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Free lunch
• Free parking
• Bus/bike benefits
• Housing assistance program
• Reduced facility rentals
• Passport Corporate membership
• Computer loan program
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Use of school library and gymnasium
• Full-year Lakeside staff will receive 50% off Investigative Learning Camp tuition. Employees working for a Summer at Lakeside program (LEEP, Summer School, Athletics Camps, or the Investigative Learning Camp) will get 100% off for the weeks they are working in a summer program. The discount applies only for the Investigative Learning Camp (3rd - 8th grade program).
  
  

Application Process

Candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and a resume with relevant experience. Finalists will be asked to submit three references.

Additional Information

Lakeside is an independent coeducational day school located on a beautiful campus in North Seattle.

It currently enrolls 875 students in grades 5 through 12 from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and

economic backgrounds. In addition to its academic year programs, Lakeside runs a variety of summer

camps.

Working At Lakeside

At Lakeside we are committed to sustaining a school in which individuals representing diverse cultures and experiences instruct one another in the meaning and value of community. To learn more about our professional development and mentoring programs, benefits, diversity and inclusion, and opportunities for involvement in non-academic programs, please visit our Careers page on the Lakeside School website.

Equity in hiring: According to various studies, women and people of color are more likely to not apply for a job if they see themselves as not meeting every requirement of the posting, which means employers miss meeting potentially ideal candidates. Lakeside School is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where employees from diverse cultures are affirmed and equipped to lead an inclusive learning environment for our students. Please apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement.