Communications and Alumni Officer

Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Steyn City School invites applications for the role of Communications and Alumni Officer to manage internal and external communications, develop content, and foster relationships with the alumni. Located in Johannesburg, this position requires a dynamic individual to enhance school communications and alumni engagement, effective from July 2025.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a communications and alumni role within a school is advantageous.
• Clear understanding of communication management and alumni relations.
• Ability to work under pressure with a sense of urgency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning and implementation of communication strategies.
• Develop content and manage all formal communications.
• Build relationships with parents and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic communication

Content creation

Crisis communication

Relationship building

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent

Matriculation (NQF4)

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Forms

Job description

Steyn City School, situated in the scenic and iconic Steyn City Parkland Residence in Johannesburg, offers a co-educational and independent education from Grade 000 to Grade 12.

If you know what it means to break the mould, set new standards, embrace change, and rejoice in creativity, then you belong with us!

A vacancy exists at Steyn City School for Communications and Alumni Officer, effective 1 July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will be a dynamic and strategic individual who can manage internal and external communications, develop compelling content, oversee crisis communication, and build lasting relationships with alumni to foster a connected and engaged community.

Communications and Alumni Officer

Responsibilities Include:

Communications

• Oversee the planning, development, and implementation of internal and external communication strategies
• Ensuring all communications adhere to POPIA requirements
• Lead the creation, design, and editing of the weekly newsletter, Steyn City School Shout Out
  • Distributing weekly newsletter(s) to all parents, and SCS community, as well as ensuring it is loaded on the website and other communication portals
  • Ensuring the mailing list is kept up to date at all times and within POPIA requirements
• Generate engaging and informative content for the school and its subsidiaries, including articles, how-to guides, and informational documents
• Manage all formal communications, ensuring high standards of clarity, tone, and alignment with the school’s mission and brand
• Conduct final editing for major school publications, including internal documents and handbooks, as well as the yearbook
• Review and editing of the final draft Whole School Calendar as received from the Deputy of Administration and Student Affairs
• Compile and update school handbooks (Parent, Staff, Sports, etc.), policy documents, and the like
• Proof and edit all programmes, invitations, and the like as required
• Management of the school App
  • Update daily, termly, and annually
  • Ensure the Calendar on the App replicates the School Calendar and is updated as and when changes are made
  • Send alerts out via the app
• Crisis Communication and Crisis Management as instructed by the Executive Head
  • Developing and implementing crisis communication plans
  • Providing timely and accurate information during crisis situations
• Building relationships with parents, community members, and other stakeholders
• Oversee the planning, development, and implementation of internal and external communication strategies Managing the school website, social media accounts, and other external communication channels
• Writing, editing, proofreading, and distribution of all communications
• Developing and managing a content calendar for communications
• Creating and distributing print materials like newsletters, brochures, and flyers
  • Maintaining the school’s brand and image
  • Source graphic design through the Marketing & Brand Officer/Manager for communication collateral such as letterheads, flyers, email templates, banners, and more
  • Overseeing design and production of marketing and communication material together with the Marketing & Brand Officer/Manager and the Executive Head
• Working closely with the Marketing & Brand Officer/Manager on all publications, social media posts, etc. to ensure that content adheres to SCS policy, mission, and vision as well as style guidelines
• Distributing communications on behalf of Steyn City Properties as per their request and instruction
• Updating letterheads for the school and it’s subsidiaries

Alumni & Archives

• Spearhead initiatives to foster a vibrant alumni network that supports the school community and current students
• Develop and execute innovative strategies to increase alumni participation, highlight accomplishments, and build school pride
• Organize and manage alumni events and communications to cultivate lifelong relationships with the school
• Maintain accurate alumni records and facilitate connections that encourage mentorship, philanthropy, and volunteerism
• Assist in the management of the support gear with the Sports Department
• Oversee the planning, development, and implementation of alumni communications, such as newsletters, and the like
• Oversee the digital and physical archiving of school photographs, videos, marketing materials, and historical records.
• Maintain and organize an accessible media archive for marketing and documentation purposes.
• Ensure secure and confidential storage of internal school records, including communication logs, event documentation, and staff/student content.
• Coordinate with departments to keep school data, records, and resources accurate and up-to-date
• All fundraising & sponsorships will only pursued on instruction and/or with the approval of the Executive Head.
• All fundraising and sponsorships must be managed according to the Steyn City School Policy, as well as Steyn City policy where applicable. Such agreements must be accompanied by a valid and signed contractual agreement by all relevant parties.
• All contractual agreements must be approved by the Commercial Manager and the Executive Head
• The Communications & Alumni Officer/Manager will develop and implement ethical, strategic fundraising initiatives to support bursaries, facilities, and special projects as required through the Steyn City School Foundation
• Cultivate relationships with potential sponsors, donors, and philanthropic partners
• Create meaningful giving opportunities that align with donor interests and the school’s mission.

Staff Management

• Oversight and management the Marketing Assistant in relation to all communication and archive duties and activities such as
  • The weekly newsletter, the app, photographs, and videos
  • Development of visual content to aid communication internally and externally

General

• Assist the Advancement Department and teams where applicable and needed
• Have a clear understanding communications management as well as alumni relations
• Be proactive, and be able to conduct with tact and diplomacy, as well as manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously
• Have an ability to work under pressure
• Have a clear understanding of the strategic and critical relationship between admissions, marketing, communications and alumni as well as have an enthusiastic and welcoming approach to marketing the school both internally and externally
• Be a highly effective communicator (verbally and written)
• Be a self-motivated individual interested in working in a highly competitive environment
• Have sound computer skills, particularly in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Forms
• Previous school experience in a similar position is advantageous
• Have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Be willing to work within the values, ethos, and mission of the School as well as participate in the broader life of the school
• Proof of sexual offender’s clearance certificate is required. Any staff member working within a school is required to have a sexual offender’s clearance certificate
• In depth understanding of POPIA
• Matriculation (NQF4)
• Tertiary qualification or equivalent
• Previous experience in a communications and alumni role within a school
• Have the ability to work under pressure and work with a sense of urgency
• Have a high attention to detail and be a highly effective communicator (verbally and written)
• Excellent customer service skills with a keen understanding of the strategic importance of the relationship between marketing and communications

To apply, a detailed CV, along with a covering letter and the contact details of three referees, should be email [e-mail] . It is vital that the email identifies the position for which the application is intended in the subject bar.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 20 June 2025. Applications will be considered as soon as they are received, and interviews will be arranged for shortlisted candidates thereafter. Consequently, the position may be filled before the deadline date.

Steyn City School reserves the right not to make an appointment. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment, as only short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

Applicants are advised that if they have not been contacted after the closing date, it must be assumed that their application has been unsuccessful.
Any candidate working within a school is required to have a sexual offender’s clearance certificate as well as clearance against the Child Protection Registrar.
Steyn City School, its subsidiaries, or representatives may require access to your personal information when performing a mutually agreed business function or service. By supplying your information, you provide consent for its processing in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).