Associate Director of Digital Communication and Engagement

Loyola Academy; Wilmette (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola Academy is seeking an Assistant Director of Digital Communications and Engagement to lead the institution’s social media presence and support digital communications, including email campaigns and website updates. The role focuses on timely, engaging content that strengthens community connections and supports enrollment.

You will own the school’s institutional social media channels, develop content that reflects the school’s mission, and collaborate with the Director of Communications and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, digital media, graphic design or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with ability to adapt content for different audiences.
• Working knowledge of major social media platforms, analytics and publishing tools.
• Experience using Canva or comparable content-creation platforms.

Responsibilities

• Implement the school's social media strategy under the Director of Communications.
• Own Loyola Academy's institutional social media channels and manage content calendar.
• Create quick-turnaround social content, including reels, stories and event coverage.
• Attend classes and events to provide timely social media coverage while exercising sound judgment with students.
• Coordinate with the Creative Multimedia Specialist and Content Producer for multimedia assets.
• Monitor engagement and report performance to strengthen future content.

Skills

Strong writing & editing

Social media management

Analytics & performance tracking

Content strategy

Collaboration with teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/related field

Tools

Canva

Email marketing platforms

Website CMS

Job description

Associate Director of Digital Communication and Engagement JobID: 998

• Position Type: President`s Office/ Assistant Director of Digital Communications and Engagement
• Date Posted: 11/11/2026
• Date Available: 01/04/2027

Job Title:Assistant Director of Digital Communications and Engagement

Reports to: Director of Communications

Employment Status: Full-time, 12-month, Institutional

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Digital Communications and Engagement advances Loyola Academy's mission, brand and strategic priorities through the management of the school's social media presence and support of digital communications, including email campaigns and website content. The position creates timely, engaging content that strengthens community connections and supports enrollment. Social media management is the position's primary responsibility, with email and website support assignments prioritized in consultation with the Director of Communications.

This position serves as the primary owner of Loyola Academy's institutional social media channels, with responsibility for content planning, copywriting, publishing, community engagement, account coordination and performance analysis. The Assistant Director shares the story of the entire school—including academics, admissions, athletics, spiritual life, Ignatian service, the arts, student activities and community events—through timely, engaging and platform-specific content.

The Assistant Director proactively identifies stories that bring the Loyola Academy experience to life, creating quick-turnaround photography, short-form video and other social-first content. The position also supports enrollment by promoting and attending designated Admissions recruitment events.

This position works closely with the Creative Multimedia Specialist and Content Producer, who holds primary responsibility for professional video production, planned photography, motion graphics and multimedia asset development.

Working Hours

Standard working hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Flexibility is required, as evening and weekend work will occasionally be necessary. In some instances, weekday hours may be adjusted accordingly. Work scheduled and any adjustments will be coordinated with the Director of Communications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Social Media Ownership and Management

• Implement the school's social media strategy under the direction of the Director of Communications.
• Take day-to-day ownership of Loyola Academy's institutional social media channels, including planning, writing, publishing, monitoring and evaluating content.
• Develop and maintain an internal social media content calendar aligned with school priorities, recruitment initiatives, events and the academic calendar.
• Create, schedule and publish timely content that reflects Loyola Academy's mission, voice, visual identity and brand standards.
• Proactively identify stories and moments worth sharing rather than relying solely on assigned content or departmental requests.
• Coordinate with designated student contributors and adult account administrators to support appropriate, timely and brand-consistent content for athletic and co-curricular social media accounts.
• Adapt school news, website stories, videos and other communications into engaging, platform-specific content.
• Ensure balanced coverage of academics, admissions, athletics, spiritual life, Ignatian service, the arts, student activities and school culture.
• Monitor social media trends, platform changes and best practices relevant to education and enrollment communications.
• Support paid social media campaigns in collaboration with the Director of Communications, the Admissions team, and external marketing partners.

Short-Form Content and Event Coverage

• Create quick-turnaround, short-form content, including reels, stories, event recaps, student voices, behind-the-scenes features and other platform-specific content.
• Capture and edit informal photos and short-form video using mobile devices or other appropriate equipment.
• Attend selected classes, performances, athletic competitions, liturgies, service experiences, student activities and school events to provide timely social media coverage.
• Exercise sound judgment regarding when—and when not—to photograph, record or publish content involving students and members of the school community.
• Coordinate with the Creative Multimedia Specialist and Content Producer when professional photography, produced video, motion graphics or other advanced multimedia assets are needed.
• Use photography and video produced by the Creative Multimedia Specialist and Content Producer to develop and publish content across Loyola Academy's social media channels.
• Follow accessibility best practices, including captions for video, alternative text for images and readable graphic design.
• Maintain organized social media content and platform-specific files according to departmental procedures.

Admissions and Recruitment Support

• Collaborate with the Admissions team to promote shadow days, Open House, junior high events, entrance exam registration and other recruitment initiatives.
• Attend designated Admissions recruitment events, including events held during the school day, in the evening or on weekends, to capture and publish timely social media content.
• Develop content that supports prospective families from initial awareness through inquiry, campus visit, application and enrollment.
• Help ensure that admissions messaging across social media, email and website content accurately and authentically communicates Loyola Academy's mission, academic experience, student support and opportunities for involvement.

Digital Communications Support

• Assist with writing, building, formatting and distributing school emails and newsletters.
• Update designated website pages and news content to ensure information is accurate, timely and consistent with Loyola Academy's voice and brand standards.
• Adapt stories and campaign messaging across social media, email and the website.
• Create graphics and other digital assets using Canva or comparable tools.
• Support coordinated digital communications for Admissions recruitment initiatives and school events.

Collaboration, Community Management and Analytics

• Build collaborative relationships with representatives from academics, admissions, athletics, spiritual life, student activities, school leadership, special events and other areas of the school.
• Gather information and identify stories, events and accomplishments for Loyola Academy's social media channels.
• Manage incoming social media requests in coordination with the Director of Communications.
• Provide guidance to departments, teams, clubs and programs regarding brand consistency and social media best practices.
• Monitor comments, direct messages, mentions and audience engagement across social media platforms.
• Respond to routine questions when appropriate and promptly elevate sensitive or potentially controversial content to the Director of Communications.
• Foster appropriate engagement with current and prospective families, students, alumni and other members of the Loyola Academy community.
• Monitor social conversations and emerging issues that may affect Loyola Academy's reputation, promptly alerting the Director of Communications when concerns arise.
• Support digital communications during emergencies, school closings and other time-sensitive situations as directed by the Director of Communications.
• Establish performance benchmarks in consultation with the Director of Communications and monitor engagement, audience growth, referral traffic and enrollment-support goals.
• Use analytics to strengthen future content, timing, calls to action and platform strategy.
• Maintain an inventory of school-affiliated social media accounts and help ensure that account administrators follow Loyola Academy's guidelines, brand standards and security practices.
• Maintain appropriate access, security and documentation for institutional social media accounts.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Communications.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, digital media, graphic design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Professional experience managing social media accounts for an organization, institution or brand.
• Demonstrated ownership of social media channels beyond simply creating or publishing individual posts.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to adapt content for different audiences and platforms.
• Working knowledge of major social media platforms, analytics and publishing tools.
• Experience using Canva or comparable content-creation platforms.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and external partners.
• Sound judgment and discretion when working with minors and handling confidential or time-sensitive information.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Commitment to supporting the Catholic, Jesuit mission and values of Loyola Academy.

Preferred

• Three or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Familiarity with paid social media advertising, digital accessibility and social media management tools.
• Experience using email marketing platforms and website content management systems to build, format, publish and update digital communications.
• Experience working in an educational, nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Experience supporting admissions, enrollment or recruitment communications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong digital storytelling instincts and an understanding of what makes audiences stop, engage and take action.
• Initiative and the ability to recognize meaningful stories and pursue them without waiting for an assignment.
• The ability to balance creativity with institutional priorities and established guidelines.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with communications colleagues and school partners.
• Flexibility in responding to changing school needs, schedules and priorities.
• A commitment to accuracy, inclusivity, accessibility and ethical communications practices.
• An appreciation for Jesuit education and the formation of the whole person.

Work Environment and Schedule

Evening and weekend responsibilities may include attendance and communications coverage at Admissions recruitment programs, athletic competitions, performances, liturgies, student activities, special events and other school occasions.

The position requires regular movement throughout campus and the ability to use mobile communications equipment in classrooms, offices, athletic facilities, performance spaces and outdoor environments.

All content created as part of this position—including written content, graphics, photography and video—is the property of Loyola Academy and must be handled in accordance with the school's privacy, media-use and brand standards.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the position.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 depending on experience and qualifications.