Director of Communications

Parker School is a vibrant learning community of 350 students, Preschool through Grade 12, nurtured by engaged educators and families in the Waimea community on magnificent Hawaiʻi Island. With our 50th anniversary celebrations and the launch of a new preschool program this year, 2026-2027 is a milestone year for Parker School!

The Opportunity

Parker School seeks a creative, deadline-driven Director of Communications to oversee all aspects of communications, branding, and marketing for the school. Reporting to the Head of School and supervising a Media Production Specialist, this role serves as the voice and visual storyteller of Parker School — producing content that connects families, alumni, and the broader community to daily life on campus. The ideal candidate is as comfortable drafting a press release as they are behind a camera lens at a Friday afternoon assembly.

Primary Responsibilities

Communications & Marketing

Direct production of the school's weekly e-newsletter, The BULLetin
Write copy for major school events and milestones — Kahiau, Dramatiques productions, the Fall BBQ, May Day, 5th/8th/12th grade graduations, and more
Manage and direct the Media Production Specialist
Write copy for brochures, the annual report, holiday card, and quarterly highlights
Draft all-school messaging on behalf of the Head of School
Create and send email communications to the Parker community
Uphold Parker School brand standards across all materials
Oversee and regularly update website content
Contribute to an annual marketing plan
Photograph school functions and events

Public Relations

Write and submit press releases, including research and subject interviews
Serve as the school's point of contact with reporters and local press
Create and manage content across Parker's social media channels
Maintain the Lindsey Rd. kiosk and the school's newspaper archive
Coordinate and supervise outside vendors (photography, printing, design)

Advancement Support

Partner with the Director of Advancement to develop and execute a strategy for soliciting philanthropic gifts from the Parker community
Create and produce collateral and assets that support Advancement's fundraising goals

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required
Excellent writing, editing, and public relations experience required
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Microsoft Word and Excel, and Google Workspace
Ability to work well under deadline pressure
Photography skills and an artistic eye preferred
Ability to work in a school environment around children of all ages

Additional Requirements

Regular attendance at school events, including some evenings and weekends, for coverage and photography
Comfort working outdoors and moving quickly to capture live events

What We Offer

Full-time, year-round position (July 1 – June 30)
Exempt, salaried position
Salary Range: $78,000 to $92,000
Generous benefits package

To Apply

Submit a resume, letter of interest, and three references to the posting at https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/Parkerschoolhawaii.

The School

Parker School promotes a joyful, engaged, and outstanding educational experience for all students. The school community cherishes Parker's tight-knit, extended family feeling, in which each student is known, valued, and nurtured. Meaningful relationships between faculty and students are close, and Parker students experience deep comfort and support throughout the school. In Hawaiian, this all-embracing sense of family and community is 'ohana (family), a fundamental quality of Parker School. Academic excellence and outstanding programs in the fine and performing arts, and Speech & Debate, distinguish Parker School. Parker provides just the right mix of challenge and support to bring out the very best in each student.

Established in 1976 by community leaders, Parker School has been an essential educational resource for Hawaiʻi Island for fifty years and serves a diverse student body. Parker began as a ninth through twelfth-grade high school, adding grades seven and eight in 1977, grade six in 2004, and kindergarten through fifth grade in 2005. Today, Parker School is thriving, serving 350 students in preschool through twelfth grade. Parker School is a non-profit, college-preparatory, independent day school fully accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The Community

Parker is deeply rooted in the community of Waimea (mailing address Kamuela) on magnificent Hawaiʻi Island. At 2,700 feet (823 m), Waimea enjoys the beauty and moderate climate of "upcountry" Hawaiʻi. Waimea is the headquarters for two of the world's largest astronomical observatories, located on Mauna Kea. The area is also rich in agriculture and ranching. Parker Ranch, the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States, has been based in Waimea since 1847, and Parker School has deep roots in the paniolo (cowboy) culture of Hawaiʻi Island. The island's top hospital, affiliated with The Queen's Medical Center on Oʻahu, is in Waimea. Waimea also boasts a thriving performing arts and education non-profit, Kahilu Theatre. Every season, Kahilu Theatre presents world-class artists across a wide range of genres (music, dance, performance, family, etc.) from Hawaiʻi, the US, and beyond. The Kohala Coast, a popular tourist destination, is a short drive away.

More information about Parker School can be found at www.parkerschoolhawaii.org.