Digital Marketing & Creative Specialist
**Cover Letter and Portfolio Submission Required for Consideration***
JOB TITLE: Digital Marketing & Creative Specialist
REPORTS TO: Director, Marketing & Communications
SCHEDULE: Full Time, Monday to Friday, 12 months
LOCATION: 100% On-site, Southport, CT - Remote Work Not Available
FLSA: Non-exempt
DIVISION: Full-Time Administrative Employees
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Southport School (TSS), located in historic Southport Village, was founded in 1984 and serves up to 125 students with language-based learning differences, and ADHD. The school’s core values are excellence, cerebrodiversity, innovation, empowerment, and collaboration. Its mission is to provide transformative educational experiences and thought leadership that have a lifelong impact on students, and to share those insights with the broader learning differences community through The Southport CoLAB.
The Southport CoLAB is a division of The Southport School that was established in 2018. It serves as an open resource, clearinghouse, and incubator in the field of learning differences. Its mission is to integrate research, practice, and advocacy to effect positive outcomes by translating best practices from that field to benefit all learners.
POSITION OVERVIEW
TSS is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Digital Marketing and Creative Specialist to execute marketing and communications initiatives. This hands-on role requires advanced Canva design skills, digital marketing expertise, and the ability to independently manage social media content, website updates, email communications, and performance reporting.
Reporting to the Director, Marketing & Communications, this individual will contribute creative ideas and performance insights to inform strategy while owning day-to-day execution.
Success requires initiative, strong communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to consistently deliver high-quality work on deadline.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Graphic Design & Creative Production
● Serve as a primary in-house designer, using Canva to independently create polished, brand-consistent digital and print marketing materials including social media graphics, digital ads, brochures, signage, and presentations.
● Use Adobe Creative Cloud to support advanced design, image editing, and production needs.
● Create and edit short-form video, photography-based content, and other digital assets.
● Prepare print-ready materials and coordinate with external vendors as needed.
Social Media Management
● Execute social media strategies established by the Director, Marketing & Communications, contributing creative ideas and audience insight.
● Independently develop, design, write, schedule, and publish social media content, including graphics, photography, and captions.
● Manage the social media content calendar to ensure consistent, timely publishing.
● Monitor trends, engage with online audiences, and track performance to inform recommendations.
Website Management/Digital Presence
● Independently create, edit, format, and publish website content through the content management system (CMS).
● Maintain accurate, accessible, visually consistent, and search-optimized website content and digital profiles.
● Identify and address routine website issues, coordinating technical support as needed.
● Monitor website traffic, engagement, and content performance.
Email Marketing & Weekly Family Newsletter
● Own the weekly family newsletter from content collection and editing through design, proofreading, testing, and distribution.
● Coordinate with faculty and staff, manage the production schedule, and ensure timely delivery each week.
● Independently produce and distribute additional email campaigns and communications.
● Monitor email performance and recommend improvements.
Content Creation and Brand Management
● Create and edit compelling content for the school’s website, social media, and email communications.
● Maintain organized digital assets, templates, and brand resources to support efficient content production.
● Maintain consistent brand voice, design standards, and messaging across digital and print channels.
● Manage content calendars, digital assets, templates, and brand resources.
● Manage branded apparel, promotional merchandise, and the School’s online store.
Digital Analytics & Reporting
● Independently monitor and analyze website, social media, email, and digital campaign performance.
● Prepare regular reports and dashboards using Google Analytics, social platform analytics, and other relevant tools.
● Track key performance indicators (KPIs), including website traffic, engagement, and audience growth.
● Translate findings into actionable recommendations to inform content planning and marketing strategy.
Collaboration, Project Management
● Collaborate with admissions, development, alumni engagement, and administration to support strategic priorities.
● Independently manage assigned projects and timelines, and coordinate approvals, ensuring high-quality work is delivered on deadline.
● Anticipate production needs, identify potential delays, and communicate proactively to keep projects on track.
● Coordinate with external vendors and agencies as required.
● Uphold the School’s Shared Commitments for Professional Practice, fostering a collaborative, professional, and inclusive school environment
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, or a related field.
● Minimum of three years of marketing communications experience, including hands-on social media management, website content management, and digital marketing.
● Advanced Canva proficiency is required, with demonstrated ability to independently design professional-quality digital and print materials. A portfolio or work samples, including Canva projects, is required.
● Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop and/or Illustrator), with strong graphic design skills and an understanding of print production.
● Experience independently creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring social media content, including graphics, copy, photography, and video.
● Proficiency with website content management systems (CMS) and working knowledge of SEO best practices.
● Experience independently producing email newsletters and campaigns, including design, editing, testing, and scheduled distribution.
● Proficiency in Google Analytics, social media analytics, and reporting tools, with the ability to interpret data and prepare actionable reports.
● Experience with social media management platforms, such as Meta Business Suite and Loomly.
● Excellent writing, editing, communication, and organizational skills, with proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
● Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
● Experience with Finalsite CMS.
● Photography and short-form video editing experience using tools such as Canva, CapCut, or Adobe Premiere Pro.
● Experience with Constant Contact.
● Familiarity with generative engine optimization (GEO) and digital advertising platforms, including Meta Ads Manager and Google Ads.
● Experience in an independent school, nonprofit, or education-related organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
● Frequently required to sit.
● Occasionally required to stand/walk.
● The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
● Additional evening/weekend hours may be required at times to support meetings, events, emergencies or other operational needs.
The Southport School does not discriminate in its hiring or policies based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, or any other legally protected category and complies with applicable federal and state laws. All employees are subject to a criminal background check before any offer is final.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary Range
The anticipated salary range for this full-time, non-exempt position is $65,000-$80,000 per year. The actual starting salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and other appropriate considerations.
Benefits
This position offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package including but not limited to:
● Medical, dental, and vision insurance
● Retirement plan: after one year of service, the school provides a match plus an additional employer contribution that grows with years of service
● Life and short-term/long-term disability insurance
● Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness stipend
● Generous PTO, sick, and holiday time annually