Events and Communications Assistant

Town School for Boys, a K-8 Independent Day School located in San Francisco, is seeking applicants for the Events and Communications Assistant position to work with the Advancement Office to support stewardship and community events and communications. The role reports to the Director of Advancement and is ideal for someone interested in learning about and working in many aspects of Institutional Advancement with a strong and committed team. The role works with the Director of Special Events and Projects to orchestrate and produce events for the greater school community; and works with the Director of Communications and Strategic Fundraising to help to communicate the vision and values of Town School through written and visual storytelling in publications, the school website, digital and print platforms, newsletters and social media. 

Events 

Under the leadership of the Director of Advancement and Director of Special Events and Projects, helps plan and execute community/fundraising events as assigned. Job projects include:   

• Source locations, caterers, materials as needed for events
• Partner with parent/guardian volunteers and Town employees as needed for events
• Coordinate meetings, track registration, maintain event budgets and support volunteers with marketing, communication, event logistics, etc. 
• Assist with cultivation events and outreach plans for families, grandparents, alumni parents and alumni (e.g. reunions, luncheons and other gatherings) 
• Staff and host events both at school and off campus, during and outside of school hours and on weekends as needed (these are calendared well in advance)
• Help prepare reports/status of events to Advancement Office for Head of School and Trustee reports 

Communications 

Under the leadership of the Director of Advancement and Director of Communications and Strategic Fundraising, works on communication and website materials as assigned. Job projects include:  

• Partner to maintain accurate/up to date website content 
• Support the office’s social media strategy, including sourcing, taking and posting photographs with an awareness of the school’s values and external messaging
• Research and report on social media and website analytics
• Work collaboratively with Division Heads and faculty to draft/edit communications, helping to ensure accuracy and timeliness of messages to the community
• Compile and edit weekly Parent/Guardian newsletter and other digital communications
• Interview subjects, contribute stories and assist with proofreading of About Town, the alumni magazine and annual report  
• Work with various school departments to write, edit and proofread school publications, including but not limited to handbooks, admissions materials, campaign materials, annual report and annual fund appeals

General Advancement Office and School Responsibilities

• Help to maintain the Advancement Office’s archives/systems 
• Educate oneself regarding the philosophy and programs of the school 
• Manage highly sensitive financial and other personal information with confidentiality
• Participate in Advancement Office activities such as goal setting, calendar planning, proofreading, database and other team and school-wide activities as requested    

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related area preferred
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal 
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment
• Strong project and time management skills 
• Enjoys collaboration and working as part of a team 
• Fundraising or independent schools experience a bonus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) 
• Familiarity with design software (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign) and content management systems a plus
• Familiar with Google suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Calendars) 
• Familiar with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Twitter) 
• Experience with digital photography a plus

Responsibilities and Duties Include: 

• adaptable, flexible, and willing team player
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• high attention to detail and the ability to multitask in a fast paced dynamic office and school environment
• experience with children, parents, volunteers and independent school culture a bonus

Town School for Boys Mission

At Town School learning is prized, love of school is essential, and boyhood is celebrated.

Philosophy

As an all boys’ school, Town provides a rich, challenging and rigorous educational experience that addresses the distinctive energy levels and developmental styles of boys. Town values being a diverse community that nurtures integrity, sensitivity and respect in its boys, and prepares them to become productive and contributing members of an ever-changing world.

Core Values

Respect: We respect ourselves and others.

• We treat others the way they want to be treated.
• We practice good listening, compassion and empathy.

Curiosity: We are curious.

• We ask questions, think critically and solve problems.
• We seek opportunities to reach our highest potential.

Belonging: We all belong.

• We embrace and celebrate each of our unique stories and experiences.
• We seek to ensure that every member of our community feels an equal sense of inclusion. 

Integrity: We act with integrity.

• We have the courage to do the right thing even when nobody else is watching.
• We always try our best and when we fail, we try again.

Joy: We are joyful.

• We make space for play, fun and laughter.
• We know joy can be found in hard work, risk-taking and perseverance.

Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Our goal is for each boy to be engaged in an environment that weaves together collaboration, critical thinking, integrity, empathy, and creativity. These broad skills, as well as a firm grounding in core academic competencies, offer boys an excellent preparation for their further education. We promote social and emotional learning as a foundation of academic excellence and self-discovery. We prepare students to meet challenges in the world by helping them develop an appreciation for a variety of perspectives from the local to the global. We celebrate diversity by fostering a community of learners built on mutual respect. Learning experiences are inclusive, relevant, flexible, innovative, and adapted to reflect the needs of all kinds of learners. In our joyful, active, and collaborative school, boys flourish.

We achieve these goals through an authentic curriculum that originates in the classroom, travels through the halls, and extends into the world. Our teaching balances traditional methods with key student-centered approaches including inquiry, project-based learning, and teaching for understanding. We stay relevant and current through our testing of innovative, research-based approaches. We model a commitment to lifelong learning, and we hone our craft by pursuing professional development and sharing knowledge with one another.

Statement on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity:

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are essential core values of Town School. The best education for our students requires a diverse experience because a broad spectrum of ideas is essential for understanding different perspectives, challenging assumptions, and inspiring curiosity, to support critical and complex thinking.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where each boy is free to be himself, and where boys are confident and secure in their own identities. We equip each boy with the tools to explore differences in experiences, background, beliefs and ideas. We seek to provide each student with the support and resources he needs to succeed and thrive at Town School. 

A diverse and vibrant community is essential. To build and sustain such a community, we reach out to enroll students and families from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, races, religions, and sexual orientations, and we recruit and retain faculty, staff and administrators from the same broad range of backgrounds. We cultivate an environment where every member of the Town community senses they matter as a significant part of the life of the school. Only when each person feels valued and is engaged may the school and the individual achieve their full potential.

Non-Discrimination Policy: 

Town School for Boys admits students of any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.

COVID Procedures

When schools were forced to close their physical doors in the spring of 2020, Town quickly and successfully pivoted to online learning, supported by thorough planning and a nimble team of faculty, administration and Board members. In the fall of 2020, Town was the second school in the city of San Francisco to be granted permission to reopen, taking exceptional caution to protect the safety of faculty and students. Since October 2020, we have welcomed all grades in the building five days a week. The 2021-2022 school year is held in person, with our mask and social distancing protocols in place and following all SF Department of Health Guidelines. All adult employees of Town School for Boys are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

The Events and Communications Assistant position is a 12-month, full-time, non-exempt position with benefits, available for a May 2022 start (negotiable). EOE. Competitive pay based on experience, skills and market.

To learn more about our school culture and community in general, please visit our Employment page.