Manager, Community Relations

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King’s-Edgehill School (KES), located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq nation, was founded in 1788 and is recognized as Canada's first independent school. KES accepts students from grades 6–12 and is a post-secondary preparatory boarding and day school. At KES, we challenge and support students to discover their unique potential while upholding our core values of kindness, integrity, dignity, and respect. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion and we actively seek a broad spectrum of qualified candidates.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Growth, the Manager, Community Relations will provide leadership and day-to-day oversight of the KES Community Relations team. This role is responsible for cultivating a strong sense of community and connection among current families, alumni, donors, and the broader public. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic, hands-on leader to help shape the future of KES by aligning marketing and communications, advancement, and community-building efforts to further connect people to our school’s mission and to one another.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of integrated marketing and communications plans aligned with the School’s Strategic Plan, Admissions goals, Advancement campaigns, and Alumni outreach.
• Oversee all content development, including newsletters, social media, web content, video storytelling, advertisements, press releases, and internal messaging.
• Manage and protect the KES brand across all print and digital platforms, ensuring consistency, clarity, and creativity.
• Serve as the day-to-day leader of the Community Relations office and coordinate departmental workflows, timelines, and deliverables.
• Support fundraising efforts by overseeing mid-level donor engagement, annual giving strategies, campaign logistics, and stewardship events and programs.
• Offer guidance and oversight of community-building events such as reunions, recognition gatherings, parent engagement activities, and regional alumni visits.
• Ensure a high level of service and responsiveness to alumni and parent inquiries, volunteer efforts, and giving opportunities.
• Oversee the effective use of the School’s CRM and analytics tools to inform decision-making, track donor and engagement trends, and support campaign goals.
• Oversee relationships and communications with outside agencies and organizations.

Desired Experiences and Competencies

• University degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, or equivalent combination of relevant work experience and education.
• 10+ years of experience in a similar role (Nonprofit advancement or marketing and communications experience considered an asset).
• Demonstrated ability to establish, develop, and maintain meaningful and authentic relationships with donors, alumni, volunteers, and other constituents to strengthen ties and grow financial support.
• Knowledge of how to effectively market and communicate the values and mission of the School, both internally and externally.
• Understanding of principles and techniques for communications and marketing related to fundraising campaigns.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills to work in collaboration with colleagues and broader school community.
• Ability and interest in managing, developing, and mentoring staff.
• Superior research, writing, editing, and communication skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• A high level of integrity, honesty, and a strong work ethic.
• Self-starter with a proactive attitude, proven organizational skills, attention to detail, and respect for confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to change and manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with fundraising management software and administrative systems, ideally Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office.

What We Offer

• Position Type: Full-time (must have flexibility to work outside of regular office hours and travel as required)
• Group Health Care Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and EAP)
• Employee Pension Plan
• Tuition discount for your child(ren) attending KES
• Dynamic professional development opportunities
• Fitness benefit: complimentary use of athletics facilities
• Employee meal benefit: enjoy lunches in full-service dining hall
• A fun and rewarding family-oriented work environment

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Jenn Shaw, Director HR and Diversity at jshaw@kes.ns.ca