Associate Creative Director - Westminster School : Job Details

Westminster School, one of the leading small independent boarding schools in the country, is a diverse, co-educational high school, a close-knit community of approximately 190 employees and 412 students (75 percent boarding, 25 percent day students) set on a 200-acre campus in Simsbury, Connecticut. Since its founding in 1888, Westminster School has been committed to the core values of community, character, balance, and involvement. Our motto – virtute et numine – by grit and grace – defines and distinguishes the Westminster experience, our community, and our alumni.

The Associate Creative Director is a senior-level leader responsible for the strategic oversight and execution of all print and digital communications for the school. This includes flagship publications such as the Bulletin (biannual alumni magazine), the school website, and a wide range of collateral supporting Advancement, Admissions, College Counseling, and other key departments. Reporting directly to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Associate Creative Director plays a critical role in shaping the school's visual and narrative identity, ensuring all materials reflect the school's mission, values, and community culture.

This position requires a seasoned professional with 10–15 years of experience in creative direction, communications, and marketing, ideally within education or nonprofits. The Associate Creative Director is responsible for leading the creative execution of print and digital projects, managing internal and external resources, and ensuring consistency and excellence across all communication platforms. This is a 12-month, full-time position requiring occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior advisor on communications strategy and brand management, collaborating with school leadership to advance institutional goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of a cohesive visual and messaging strategy across all communications platforms.
• Mentor and manage creative team members and external vendors to deliver high-quality outputs that align with the school's brand identity.
• Oversee the planning, production, and delivery of major publications, including the Bulletin, Annual Report, Viewbook, fundraising appeals, event programs, and alumni communications.
• Direct the creative process from concept to completion for all print materials, ensuring accuracy, brand consistency, and timely delivery.
• Manage the school's website, including content updates, editorial planning, and performance optimization through SEO and Google Analytics.
• Partner with key departments, including Advancement, Admissions, and College Counseling, to design and execute compelling print and digital campaigns that meet their specific goals.
• Collaborate closely with senior administrators on high-level communication projects and initiatives.
• Uphold and enhance the school's brand identity, ensuring all communications are aligned with the school's mission and strategic vision.
• Stay current on industry trends and bring innovative ideas to improve the school's marketing and communications efforts.
• Provide creative direction and oversight for school events, campaigns, and special initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, design, or a related field. An advanced degree is highly preferred.
• 10–15 years of progressive experience in content creation, creative direction, communications, or marketing, with a proven track record of managing complex projects in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Expertise in managing print and digital production, including publications, websites, and multimedia campaigns.
• Proficiency in website management (CMS platforms), SEO best practices, and performance analysis using Google Analytics.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace. Experience with Blackbaud is a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to craft content and oversee the production of content created by internal and external resources.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

To Apply:

Salary is competitive and the employment package consists of excellent benefits, including outstanding health care coverage and retirement plan. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and portfolio samples in pdf format (including print and digital samples) to the Director of Human Resources, Pamela Daly, at [email protected].

Westminster School is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from candidates of color. Westminster School reaffirms its long-standing nondiscriminatory policy and employs individuals of any race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available at Westminster. Westminster does not discriminate in its hiring, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

995 Hopmeadow StreetSimsbury, Connecticut 06070P. (860) ###-####F. (860) ### ####