Communications and Events Associate

The Girls' Middle School; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Girls' Middle School is seeking a Communications and Events Associate to enhance its mission through cohesive digital communication and event management. This full-time role involves crafting impactful messaging across platforms and supporting the planning of key school events. Ideal candidates will possess strong organizational skills, a results-oriented outlook, and experience in communication or marketing. The position offers a salary range of $70,000 - $90,000, full benefits, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Benefits

Comprehensive employee health benefits

Retirement matching

Access to personalized professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in communications, marketing, admission, or advancement, ideally in an independent school or nonprofit setting.
• Spanish spoken and written fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Craft written and visual communications for various platforms.
• Manage event planning and execution for Admission and Advancement events.
• Coordinate with vendors for major school events.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Project Management

Technology Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, education, or a related field

Tools

WordPress

Canva

Google Workspace

Constant Contact

photo and video editing software

Job description

*The Girls’ Middle School
** Imagine a school where each day is alive with learning and the spirit of adventure. Since its founding in 1998, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, meeting the needs of a wide range of middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought. GMS educates girls during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to their changing emotional and social needs. GMS encourages girls to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant. Learn more about GMS: www.girlsms.org and https://youtu.be/SatUBcjwkxA?feature=shared

*At GMS, “girls” refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth, and any girl-identified youth.

**Mission
** The Girls’ Middle School educates girls at a crucial time in life. We create an inclusive environment where academic growth is nourished. A GMS girl discovers her strengths and expresses her voice while respecting the contributions of others.

**The Position
** The Communications and Events Associate plays a crucial role in ensuring that the GMS mission, experience, and brand are portrayed compellingly, authentically, and consistently. The Communications and Events Associate owns digital content creation, leads internal and external communications, and provides event support. The Communications and Events Associate reports to the Director of Admission and serves as a cross-functional team member supporting the Director of Advancement, Assistant Head of School, and Head of School.

**Primary Duties and Responsibilities
** Communications / Marketing:

• Envision and craft compelling written and visual communications about GMS and deliver these messages effectively across many platforms – organic and paid social media, website, marketing materials, school newsletters, the Annual Report, etc.
• Serve as the primary writer, editor, photographer, and creative director for internal and external communications and marketing efforts. Draft, proofread, and distribute materials, ensuring brand consistency across platforms, audiences, and vehicles.
• Create content through collaboration with GMS faculty/staff, students, families, and alums for use in social media, e-newsletters, print materials, etc. Support the Head of School in crafting monthly HOS updates, emails, and presentations.
• Assist in executing the school’s Admission and Advancement communications strategies. Partner with these teams to produce collateral, event materials and signage, organic and paid social media, video and web-based content.
• Manage the school’s website (www.girlsms.org), weekly internal e-newsletter, style guide, and online calendars.
• Create and execute a communications and digital content calendar for GMS. Track social media and email marketing metrics to measure success and inform strategy.
• Design engaging graphics and create short videos using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and iMovie.
• Support Spanish translation and interpretation of key internal and external communications through technology enhancements and/or translation capability.

Event Management:

Attend and assist in the planning and execution of Admission and Advancement events such as Preview Days, The Bennett Scholars Breakfast, New Family Picnic, New Parent Breakfast, and alum events. Some events take place on weekends and evenings.

Coordinate with vendors, caterers, GMS facilities team, faculty, and Program staff to support major school events such as Back to School Nights, Entre Night, Graduation, staff offsites and in-service days.

**Key Qualities & Competencies
**

• Exceptional oral, written, and visual communication and listening skills.
• Proven organizational skills, ability to manage deadlines, and strong attention to detail. Ability to lead and execute complex projects on specified timelines.
• Positive “can do” attitude and results orientation. Develop creative solutions and demonstrate flexibility in responding to input or feedback.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills. Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments, solve problems, and maintain positive relationships.
• Technology skills using WordPress, Canva, Google Workspace, Constant Contact, photo and video editing and management software, social media platforms, LinkedIn, and basic graphic design tools
• Spanish spoken and written fluency is a plus.

**Preferred Education and Experience
**

• ****Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, education, or a related field
• Experience in communications, marketing, admission, or advancement, ideally in an independent school or nonprofit setting
• Experience using Finalsite, Veracross, Axiom, Ravenna, Vidigami, SmugMug

Equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of our mission. The Girls’ Middle School was founded on the core belief that diverse and inclusive communities are strong communities. We are committed to creating a school culture that welcomes all aspects of each individual’s identity. We are actively seeking individuals who value equitable education and are committed to fostering an environment of agency and belonging for our diverse student body.

The Girls’ Middle School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its hiring and promotion process without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, partnership status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital, parental or familial status, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or military status, age, disability, or any other legally protected basis.

The candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. GMS does not support applications for work visas.

**Compensation and Benefits
**

• ****Comprehensive employee health benefits (full medical, dental & vision coverage)
• Retirement matching
• Access to engaging and personalized professional development
• The Girls’ Middle School uses a competitive salary scale. The salary for this position ranges from $70,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience.
• This is a full-time, year-round (12 month), in-person position. Some job responsibilities require evening and weekend work. Personal transportation is required to some local offsite locations.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.