Communications Manager

The College Preparatory School

Communications Manager

Full-Time Position

The College Preparatory School, an independent high school in Oakland, California, seeks a full-time Communications Manager beginning July 1, 2026 or thereafter. As a member of the Advancement Team, reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Manager is a storyteller and strategic partner who helps support all aspects of the School's communications, marketing, and design strategy. This position focuses on building and maintaining cohesive, high-quality school-wide communication collateral, with a primary emphasis on supporting the critical outreach and engagement efforts of the Admission and Advancement offices.

The ideal candidate is an organized, visually minded, and clear communicator and professional capable of managing a diverse workflow spanning print design, digital media production, copy editing, and social media storytelling.

Candidates for this role should have a commitment to working in a diverse and multicultural community and be eager to work in a spirited and intellectual environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

School-wide Communications & Content Creation

• Collateral Design & Production: Design, format, and produce compelling print and electronic outward-facing materials for the School as needed to support Advancement and Admission objectives.
• Publications: Assist the Director of Communications with the writing, design, and layout of the semi-annual magazine.
• Stewardship Program Management: Manage the endowment stewardship program, which includes designing, writing, and producing comprehensive stewardship reports and maintaining records.
• Social Media & Web Management: Plan, design, author, and track engagement metrics for the School's social media channels. Support the development of website content and ensure routine updates are maintained.
• Multimedia Storytelling: Serve as an active presence on campus, photographing and capturing video of day-to-day school activities, student life, and special events.
• Brand Integrity: Assist with managing and copy-editing all print and electronic outward-facing constituent communications to ensure a cohesive, unified institutional message.
• Other Duties: Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

• Event Support: As an active member of the Advancement team, attend and support key school events, which will include some scheduled evenings and weekends.

Competencies, Skills, and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, English, or a related field.
• Multiple years of experience in public relations, including supervisory and comprehensive marketing experience required.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills
• Professional competency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator). Strong technical comfort with digital platforms, content management systems, and social media tools.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail; ability to navigate multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to foster strong working relationships and coordinate efforts across diverse teams.
• A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a genuine enthusiasm for being part of an active academic community. Sensitivity to equity, inclusion, and the ability to engage effectively with a diverse array of stakeholders.

Qualifications and desired characteristics:

• Three or more years of demonstrated success managing events and volunteers in nonprofit organizations, preferably in independent schools, colleges, and/or universities;
• Exceptional communication skills, with proven ability to write effectively, speak persuasively, and listen attentively;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining strong attention to detail in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment;
• Ability to network and build relationships with constituents to build partnerships on behalf of the School;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite; preferred, not required: Raiser's Edge;
• Bachelor's degree.

Salary Range: $82,000-$95,000/year

Benefits include medical and dental coverage, a retirement plan (to which the school contributes regardless of employee contribution), and most pleasantly and collegially, a prepared lunch every school day. College Prep is a community of life-long learners and actively encourages and supports the professional development of all of its members.

Founded in 1960, The College Preparatory School is an independent coeducational secondary school created for intellectual risk-takers who want to pursue a purposeful education with kindred peers. College Prep students are engaged and motivated learners who help create a kind, intellectual, and equitable community. Our mission is to prepare students for productive, ethical lives in college and beyond by fostering a stimulating education within an atmosphere of consideration, trust, and mutual responsibility.

As an equal opportunity employer, College Prep does not discriminate in its hiring of employees on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital or veteran status, age, or disability. We actively seek diversity among our faculty and administration as well as among our students.

College Prep does not sponsor applicants for work visas. For more information about our school, visit our website at www.college-prep.org