The Bush School is dedicated to valuing different perspectives and backgrounds, inspiring curiosity, motivating employees to take risks, and encouraging compassion and kindness. Our employees enjoy an environment that inspires creativity while being part of a collaborative community.
Communications Associate (Seattle, WA)
Full-Time (40 hours per week), Hourly/Non-Exempt
Year-Long Work Schedule
- This position is eligible for health and retirement benefits (details during hiring process).
- This position requires applicants to be, at the time of application, legally authorized to
work in the United States. The Bush School does not offer visa sponsorship for this position and will not consider applicants who require visa sponsorship.
The Bush School, a K-12 progressive, independent school located in Seattle, WA, is in search of an individual to join our Communications team as an Communications Associate. We are seeking a candidate who can support the school’s mission of diversity and inclusion and who has a background that demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of intercultural fluency. We are building a team in which diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and talents are valued in order to work with a diverse community of students, faculty, staff and families. We encourage those of diverse backgrounds to apply.
The communications team includes the Assistant Head of School for Advancement, Director of Communications, Communications Associate, and the Communications Manager. Together, the communications team supports four key constituencies:
1. Head of School and Board of Trustees
2. Development and Alumni Relations
3. Admissions and Enrollment Management
4. Internal affairs (senior leadership team, divisions, departments, families association, and athletics)
The Communications Associate serves as a key member of The Bush School’s Advancement Team, which comprises communications, development, and admissions staff. Together, they serve to advance The Bush School’s mission through an integrated method of managing relationships and communications among The Bush School’s key constituents.
The Communications Associate is a year-long, full-time position that serves as a project lead for the communications team and reports directly to the Director of Communications. The position contributes to an integrated internal and external communications and marketing program that supports the school’s mission, values, and strategic goals by working closely with members of the communications team, senior leadership team, faculty, staff, student, and parent/guardian community.
The Communications Associate is responsible for working within a team while managing priorities and projects both individual and shared.
While other duties may be assigned, a qualified candidate will be able to perform the key responsibilities and tasks listed below:
- Assist in developing and implementing marketing and communication plans to promote the school and increase brand clarity and awareness with the school’s newly refreshed brand
- Serve as point person for campus-wide photography to capture the life of the school during both planned and ad hoc moments for use in digital and print channels. Uploading photos to school platform Vidigami and the Drive in timely manners.
- Management of the school’s outward facing website. This includes weekly edits on pages, updating copy, refreshing of photos, checking in with key departments including Admissions, Divisions, Athletics on needs.
- Staff writer. Provide consistent, high-quality visual and narrative content, compelling, engaging, and strategic storytelling that is aligned with our brand, and clear and consistent information across digital channels in collaboration with Development, Admissions, and other departments as needed. Platforms include but not limited to: website, print, social media.
- Assist with project management efforts for key departments including Athletics, Community, Equity, and Inclusion (CEI), K-12 divisions, and overseeing various communications projects within these divisions.
- Generate content for projects with expert level skills in three or more of the following areas – writing, copy editing, graphic design, photography, video production, web development, and/or social media.
- Assist the Communications Manager with coordination of vendors who serve the school’s communications, marketing, and public relations needs, such as graphic designers, photographers, copywriters, and printers.
- Ensure open and fluid communication between communications team, parents, and school leadership while building relationships with partners and volunteers.
- Engage with the life of the school.
Experience and Professional Competencies:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related field required
- Two (2) or more years of experience in the execution of marketing, communication and public relations activities required
- Exemplary communications skills; e.g. writing, editing, publishing required
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously with the ability to initiate, plan, monitor, and execute a project required
- Knowledge of the principles of experiential and inquiry-based education is required
- Experience with content development and storytelling required
- Familiarity with brand management principles and practices preferred
- Experience shooting and editing video/photos with digital image management platforms preferred
Successful candidates will have:
- A philosophy that aligns with the school’s mission and values – please review the school’s mission and values on our website
- A strong work ethic, with high standards of professionalism, organization, and accountability
- Strong interpersonal skills that allow the establishment and development of solid, collaborative working relationships
- Resourcefulness and sound judgment in decision-making
- High motivation for success with an attention to details
- A willingness to work longer hours during peak times in order to complete a project, as well as occasional nights and weekends, as needed
- The ability to effectively work independently and as part of a team
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite or similar editing software
- Experience and comfort managing multiple projects with deadlines and working with various constituencies
- Familiarity with project management tools and systems
Additional Requirements:
- Have a current Adult and Children CPR, First Aid and AED Certification (or receive one soon after hire date).
- Meet the school’s standards when completing two separate background screenings.
Compensation/Benefit Information for this position:
- Compensation Range (salary per year): $65,000 - $70,000 per year
- The school offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees, which includes:
- Employer-paid medical insurance for eligible employees (includes an employee paid buy-up plan option)
- Employer-paid dental and vision insurance for eligible employees
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution for eligible employees
- Medical, dental and vision insurance for dependents of eligible employees (employee paid)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care) available to eligible employees (employee paid)
- Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance for eligible employees
- Employer-paid Life Insurance for eligible employees
- Optional Voluntary Life Insurance available to eligible employees (employee paid)
- Optional Voluntary Accident Insurance available to eligible employees (employee paid)
- Optional Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance available to eligible employees (employee paid)
- Retirement Plan available to eligible employees - the Retirement Plan includes generous employer contributions that align with specific years of service
- Employee Assistance Program for eligible employees and their dependents
- School cafeteria discounts
- Free parking at Seattle, WA campus
- Use of school fitness center
- Paid Time Off (sick leave, vacation leave and personal days)
- Professional Development opportunities
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants interested in applying for this opportunity should visit our website at www.bush.edu and navigate to the employment section of the website (found under the “About Bush” tab) for additional information/instructions.
If you are interested in working at The Bush School, but this position does not fit your talents, please visit the employment section of our website noted above.
While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
The Bush School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admission or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or genetic information. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment based on the basis of age or marital status.