Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
Location: Seattle, Washington
Department: Communications
Reports to: Head of School
FLSA Status: Exempt
Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE, 12-month role
Salary Range: $170,000-$190,000
Who We Are
Founded in 1924 and located in Seattle’s Madison Valley neighborhood, The Bush School is an independent school serving students from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade. Bush offers a rich, intellectually engaging program grounded in experiential learning, designed to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities. Our curriculum challenges students to think deeply and creatively, preparing them to thrive in future endeavors while remaining rooted in the school’s longstanding core values.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community in which every individual can say, “I belong.” We seek educators and staff who are passionate about their work, highly skilled in their practice, and who bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to our community. We believe deeply in the role education and diverse learning environments play in advancing equity, inclusion, and a shared sense of responsibility for one another.
Who Thrives at Bush
You find joy in working with students and alongside a passionate, thoughtful community of educators. You believe deeply that learning is most powerful when it is experiential, and when students learn by doing, exploring, and reflecting, rather than simply being told what to know and remember. You are invested in the growth of children as whole people, supporting their curiosity, sense of purpose, and capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities, both within and beyond the classroom. You are a lifelong learner who welcomes both support and challenge, and you are excited by the opportunity to continue developing your craft in a collegial, reflective environment. You are energized by contributing your skills and ideas, making a meaningful impact, and being part of something larger than yourself.
Position Description
The Bush School seeks a dynamic, experienced, and mission-driven leader to serve as the Director of Marketing and Communications. This role shapes and stewards the school’s overall communications strategy, ensuring that the Bush experience is conveyed with clarity, cohesion, and authenticity across all audiences. Through thoughtful marketing and storytelling, the Director advances an inspiring and cohesive message that amplifies the school’s values, educational program, student outcomes and impact.
Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, the Director ensures that institutional priorities and programmatic strengths are thoughtfully reflected in the school’s public voice, strengthening engagement within the Bush community while elevating the school’s presence locally, regionally, and nationally. The role leads a team responsible for engaging students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, prospective families, and a broad range of external audiences with professionalism, creativity, and care.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Develop and execute an annual communications plan that clearly and compellingly reflects The Bush School’s values, mission, and strategic priorities while ensuring accurate, coherent, mission-centered messaging across the community
Develop and execute an annual marketing strategy that elevates The Bush School educational experience, drives increased engagement with current and prospective constituencies, and raises the School’s profile locally, regionally and nationally
Lead and manage the Marketing and Communications team to effectively highlight the full Bush experiences, from classroom innovation and experiential learning to community traditions, signature programs, and institutional milestones
Illuminate and articulate the distinctive nature of a Bush education, including experiential learning, outdoor programs, interdisciplinary study, and community engagement
Collaborate with the Enrollment Management team to communicate the distinctive value of a Bush education, and to enhance and increase Bush enrollment outcomes in a highly competitive independent school environment
Collaborate with the Advancement and Development team to support philanthropy, volunteer engagement, and community events and efforts through inspired, strategic communications and compelling storytelling
Partner with Division Directors and program leaders to highlight and illuminate student, faculty, and staff experiences at The Bush School, as well as supporting communications related to the implementation of strategic initiatives across all departments in the school
Oversee the creation, editing, and distribution of content for all communications platforms, including but not limited to the school website, social media, newsletters, Experience Magazine, and admissions and alumni outreach collateral
Guide The Bush School’s digital strategy and presence, using analytics to track performance, refine tactics, and improve engagement across all constituencies
Manage all aspects of The Bush School’s media relations and crisis communications plan (as needed)
Manage external vendors and creative partners in service of high-quality, mission aligned work
Embrace additional responsibilities that emerge in a dynamic school environment, contributing flexibly and collaboratively to the life of the institution
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from college or university required, preferably in marketing, public relations, or related field of study
Master’s degree preferred
Extensive leadership experience in marketing and communications (seven+ years preferred)
Experience in utilizing a variety of software platforms related to digital and print design, web content and analysis, database systems and social media platforms and analysis; proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Windows, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere and Mac OS as well as willingness to learn new software as needed.
A qualified candidate will demonstrate:
A deep understanding of strategic marketing and communications principles and demonstrated success leading complex, mission-driven initiatives
An authentic commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and community building in every aspect of the work
Familiarity with, passion for, and commitment to work in a diverse independent school to champion the mission and vision of the institution
Exceptional written, editorial, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt voice and tone across audiences of varying ages and backgrounds
Leadership marked by emotional intelligence, active listening, cultivation of collaboration, flexibility, sense of humor and an ability to inspire creative excellence
Capacity to engage effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and external partners to champion the school’s mission and strengthen its reputation and visibility throughout the broader community
Creativity and agility in navigating both challenges and opportunities within marketing and communications
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment; capacity to lead, delegate and collaborate to achieve goals and ensure success of the team
Willingness and ability to be present in the life of the school, including attendance at evening and weekend school events and celebrations as needed
Joy in storytelling and a genuine interest in students and the people who make up the school community
Additional Requirements:
Have a current Adult and Children CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification (or receive one soon after hire date)
Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, manage long days, and support body with core muscles.
Fine Motor Skills: Using hands to grasp, move, or assemble small objects (e.g., papers, writing).
Sensory: Clear hearing to distinguish sounds and vision to see differences in color, shade, brightness.
Ability to sit and keyboard for up to 8 hours per day & lift up to 30 pounds (file boxes).
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants interested in applying for this opportunity should visit our website at www.bush.edu and navigate to the employment section of the website (found under the “About Bush” tab) for additional information/instructions. If you are interested in working at The Bush School, but this position doesn’t fit your talents, please visit our website for additional openings: www.bush.edu. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
The Bush School is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admission or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment based on the basis of age or marital status.