Nueva School
Hillsborough/San Mateo, California
Director of Communications
Start Date: July 2025
Website: nuevaschool.org

Overview
Since its founding in 1967, Nueva has been a leader in the field of gifted education. Originally serving grades PK-8 on the Hillsborough campus, Nueva launched its high school in 2013 and welcomed its first class of ninth-grade students to its San Mateo campus. Nueva offers its 967 students a dynamic educational experience grounded in a caring and compassionate community. By all measures, Nueva is thriving with a vibrant mission, full enrollment, robust fundraising, two beautiful campuses, and a national reputation.

Trust, curiosity, creativity, and student agency are among Nueva’s foundational values, creating an environment where exceptional students and teachers can take risks and immerse themselves in the joy of learning. Faculty, staff, students, parents, and school leaders describe Nueva as a community that invites each person to be the most creative version of themselves.

Mission
Our school community inspires passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind.

Values

• A dynamic learning community
• An environment of trust
• Social-emotional acuity
• Curiosity and creativity
• Passion and excellence
• Student agency

At a Glance
Established: 1967
Enrollment: 967
Total faculty and staff: 246; 166 faculty, 80 staff
Students of color: 74%
Zip codes represented: 85
Faculty of color: 34%
Faculty with advanced degrees: 68%
Student/teacher ratio: 6:1
Financial aid budget: $8.4 million
Students receiving aid: 20%
Endowment: $55M
Annual operating budget: $65M
Student clubs: 110+
Campus size: Two campuses (San Mateo, CA (9-12) & Hillsborough, CA Campus (PreK-8))

Opportunities and Challenges
Leading the Communications Team
The next Director of Communications will lead a team of three seasoned collaborators who bring distinct skills and institutional history to telling Nueva’s compelling story. Optimizing the team’s talents, elevating their professional development, and setting the vision for the team’s work will be the primary responsibilities of the next director.

Strengthening Information Architecture
The next Director will continue to build systems and processes to optimize all methods of communication, both internally and externally. The Director will strategically maximize the utilization and impact of regular and specialized communications.

Partnering with the Leadership Team
Nueva’s willingness to embrace innovation and test new ideas in support of student curiosity, passion, and agency have fueled its growth and elevated its national reputation.

Contributing to and Celebrating the Life of the School
The next Director will seek out the stories that reveal how Nueva’s powerful mission and vision support the magic that takes place between faculty, staff, and students.

Qualifications And Personal Attributes

• Minimum 5 years' experience in journalism, communications, media, or related communications field; school experience preferable but not essential.
• Excellent organizational, writing, interviewing, and editing skills required.
• Ability to think strategically about communications objectives.
• A commitment to understanding trends and practices in digital marketing and outreach.
• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple constituencies.
• Expertise in social media, digital marketing, website development, and maintenance.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to mentor and inspire teams.
• A joyful spirit and the ability to remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of web content management systems, web analytics, social media, and Adobe Creative Suite.

To Apply
Candidates need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current resume;
• A portfolio of three samples of communications work;
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission).

Karen Whitaker
Senior Consultant


Sara Shulman
Practice Leader – Development & Finance/Senior Consultant

Application Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025
Salary Range: $175-210k (based on experience and education).
The Nueva School offers a full benefits package including fully paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employees, employer contribution toward dependent insurance premium, a generous match on our 403(b)-retirement plan, long-term and short-term disability insurance, flexible spending account, and free lunch. Eligibility rules must be met. #J-18808-Ljbffr