Campus Communications Officer

About the Role

Blue Ridge School is an all-boys, all-boarding college-preparatory school serving 185 students on a 751-acre campus situated along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 20 miles from Charlottesville, Virginia, Blue Ridge School is innovative in its approach to educating young men. Passionate teachers, small classes, strong relationships, a wide range of athletic and co-curricular activities, and a rigorous but supportive college-prep curriculum empower Blue Ridge graduates to thrive in college and beyond. With an average class size of nine students and significant teacher autonomy, faculty help each student discover the best ways to master course material and fulfill their untapped potential.

Responsibilities

• Capture the story of the boys and the School with photography and videography featuring day-to-day and week-to-week activities at BRS, both on campus and off.
• Use raw content to create high-quality photo and video assets for marketing, retention, and school operations, working alongside a team of External Affairs colleagues to promote the School’s overall marketing portfolio and strategy—key messages, design and look, web and social media, as well as advertising and promotional activities.
• Attend school functions to capture photo and video content, then process and disseminate content for use in social media, marketing, and retention materials.
• Reach out to students, faculty, parents, and alumni as needed to independently arrange logistics and scheduling.
• Apply an editor’s eye to review and improve a variety of materials in video, electronic, and print formats.
• Ensure all marketing activities support the School’s visual and written brand standards.
• Remain aware of the School’s larger marketing plan and develop redundant knowledge about the broader BRS communications effort.
• Coordinate with and add value to the External Affairs Team (Admission, Advancement, Communication, Special Programs, Alumni, and Parent Associations).
• Monitor peer institutions' similar activities and keep the External Affairs team updated on trends and fresh ideas.
• Be an impactful member of the BRS community through participation in student life, special events, and other activities.
• Participate in one season of co-curricular programming and as a ½ share duty team member.
• Perform other related roles as assigned by the Director of Enrollment Communications and Marketing or the Associate Head of School for External Affairs.

Requirements

• B.S. or B.A. in a related field.
• Skills in content development for a variety of platforms—written word, photography, videography.
• Camera operation: fluency capturing photo and video with professional equipment (Sony A7 or equivalent).
• Proficiency in the Adobe suite (or equivalent), focused primarily on Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere, and After Effects.
• Proficiency or ability to learn platforms such as HubSpot, Blackbaud, and Vidigami.
• A clear understanding of and ability to articulate the value proposition of boarding schools—particularly single-gender institutions with unique, niche missions like BRS.
• Comfort with autonomy and responsibility in the framework of a high-performing team.
• Engaging communications and interpersonal skills.
• Balance goal-orientation with an eye for detail.
• Analytical skills; comfort with using data in reporting and making decisions.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record; must be insurable.

Benefits

• Eighty percent of faculty live on campus; on-campus housing is provided for many positions.
• Access to BRS fitness facilities and wilderness trails.
• Meals in the dining hall for you, your family, and your guests.
• A comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package with generous support for professional development and continuing education.
• Structured mentorship, collaborative professional development, and support for educators at every career stage; Blue Ridge fosters a culture of innovation and collegiality.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.