Director of Marketing & Strategic Communications

A member of the highly collaborative administrative leadership team, the Director of Marketing & Strategic Communications (DOMSC) works to strategically lead the school’s brand management and recruitment marketing efforts and authentically articulate the harmony between academic excellence and Jewish values.

The DOMC is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive marketing strategy that elevates the school's profile, drives enrollment, and fosters deep engagement within the Los Angeles Jewish community and beyond. The DOMSC also plays a critical role in the school's financial sustainability by partnering with the Development Office to inspire a culture of giving.

Sinai Akiba Academy is a preeminent private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Sinai Akiba Academy is undergirded by our school mission to engage students in the joy and discipline of learning, and nurture a community of ethical, critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility. 

Our core values of Kehillah Kedoshah (Sacred Community); Talmud Torah (Academic Excellence); Derech Eretz (Kindness, Empathy, & Respect); Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (Ethical Responsibility); Avodat Halev (Soulful Intention), and Ahavat Yisrael (Love for Israel) serve as a commitment with the students, families and community members that we serve to energize the present, explore the past, and embrace the future.

General Responsibilities

Collaborate closely with the senior administrative team, admission team, development team, Design Director, and SAA Board to produce outreach materials for various needs, including fundraising, admissions, PA events, and broader school initiatives

Oversees all aspects of the school’s website

Partner with the Design Director to conceive and design all print and digital materials

Create content and oversee the weekly SAA Scoop newsletter

Oversee the promotion and branding of major school events, ensuring high attendance and a cohesive "look and feel" that reinforces the school's prestige and mission

Oversee the marketing and branding of all revenue-generating programs, including but not limited to: Summer @ Sinai (SAA camps), CHOICES programming, Gala, Back-to-School Picnic

Oversee and produce all external media needs

Coordinate and manage all advertising, publicity, and public relations efforts (including crisis management) with media and partner organizations

Stay abreast of marketing and communications trends in independent and Jewish schools and advise AHOSIA and HOS accordingly

Partner with Sinai Temple clergy, leadership, and communications department to cross-promote events and initiatives, respond to major, community-wide events (celebrations, sorrow, political, crisis, disaster, etc.) and develop and maintain aspects of unified message and branding

Maintain the Google Drive image library

Manage the photo release process and questions related to the right to use student images 

Effectively supervise the Communications and Social Media Coordinator

Learn, use, and apply technology as required by School to enhance learning, provide feedback to students and parents, and engage with colleagues. Technology includes but is not limited to JagNet, Google Workspace, Paylocity, and any other School approved software.

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Head of School in support of the school’s mission

Lead Communications and Content

Evaluate current communications practices and establish clear systems, cadence, and norms that support effective internal and external communications

Develop and oversee a strategic communications plan aligned with enrollment, advancement, and broader school priorities

Oversee and guide the creation of timely, high-quality content, including storytelling, event coverage, and copyrighting across all platforms

Use data, feedback, and practical indicators to assess effectiveness and refine messaging, channels, and delivery of communications

Oversee all aspects of the School’s electronic and print communications (internal and external)

Admissions Marketing & Communications

Lead updates and redesigns for the Admissions viewbook annually in collaboration with the Admissions Director and the Design Director

Write all Google, Facebook, Niche, and other platform ads

Produce admissions videos for promotional marketing purposes and video content for recruitment events, such as the Open House and Alumni panel

Philanthropy & Donor Engagement

Design creative ways to recognize and thank donors, ensuring they receive meaningful updates on how their contributions are enriching the SAA experience

Lead the creative strategy and execution for the Annual Fund, Capital Campaigns, and Endowment initiatives, including direct mail, digital fundraising appeals, and gala materials

Lead the Annual Report execution process, including serving as the primary writer and working in collaboration with the Director of Philanthropy & Donor Relations and Design Director

Produce all video content for Gala & other fundraising events, including videos of honorees

State of the School

Oversee and manage all marketing, content, program, and day-of logistics of the Annual State of the School event

Creative Production & Vendor Manager

Lead the design and video production process across all advancement teams, ensuring high-quality, cohesive brand materials

Source vendors and negotiate agreements

Manage end-to-end video production across advancement teams, including on-set logistics, scheduling, and final editing 

Serve as the primary point of contact for PR and digital marketing agencies, streamlining communication and project delivery

Marketing Execution: Direct the production of all marketing deliverables and oversee the performance of external digital partners

Strategic Reporting & Planning

Set the digital communication strategy aligned with enrollment, retention, and advancement goals every year, and produce a written strategic plan for the AHOSIA

Monitor and improve the performance and growth of the School’s digital communication channels, including the website, email newsletters, social media channels, and additional advertising vehicles

Help guide and consult with the Head of School, division directors, the School Board, and other School leaders, as it pertains to marketing and communications within the Sinai Akiba Academy and the greater Los Angeles and Jewish communities

Define KPIs and growth targets for each marketing channel

Interpret and report performance data to guide decisions and resource allocation

Oversee campaign planning, paid advertising strategy, and audience segmentation

Ensure brand cohesion with all communications channels

Track analytics and monitor engagement to provide regular reports on growth, reach, and engagement

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree preferred

Minimum 7 years of experience successfully managing marketing functions; Jewish institution, non-profit or community-oriented experience preferred

An understanding of Jewish identity, holidays, practices, traditions, culture and life cycle events

Deep experience with marketing, communications and thought leadership, online marketing, digital and social media, and public relations

A natural strategist, who can lead and guide, while also maintaining the skills of a creative

Exceptional branding, writing, messaging, editing, and storytelling abilities/skills

Experience with Blackbaud Pushpage system and Constant Contact a plus

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

Experience collaborating with a leadership team

Highly energetic, positive, and flexible with a good sense of humor

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual Salary Range: $130,000 - $160,000

Excellent benefit package with a portion of medical paid by SAA

Generous paid time off and holidays

403b and employer funded retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base annual salary range for this position: $130,000 - $160,000. Annual base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at SAA are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at SAA, your final annual base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full annual base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for SAA in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Applicants may submit their cover letter and resume for consideration to Lisa Zide, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement, at [email protected]. 

Sinai Akiba Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.