Director of Communications and Strategy

Job Summary:

This district-level leadership team position supports student achievement by providing leadership, direction, and facilitation for all district-wide internal and external communications; ensuring alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan to meet all students’ instructional needs; build internal and external commitment to the district goals of academic excellence; and engage the school district community.

• Working knowledge of internal and external communication;  Mastery of oral, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with diverse teams at an executive level.
• Ability to appropriately communicate with students, teachers, parents, administrators, prospective families and employees, community members, and others, including vendors, law enforcement, local business and industry, and other agencies.
• Experience creating, managing, and publishing content over a wide range of electronic and print platforms to varied stakeholder groups. 
• Ability to take photos and shoot video as needed, and post to digital mediums.
• Effective planning and organizational skills. Able to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and set and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and implementing large-scale projects.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to exercise good judgment and maintain organization despite interruption.
• Ability to budget and manage projects effectively. 
• Computer proficiency using internet software, email, Qualtrics, word processing, the Microsoft suite of programs, and various social media platforms.
• Develop and implement a coordinated plan for school district internal and external communications.  Coordinate the communication and implementation of the District's strategic plan and scorecard.
• Manage employee engagement, parent satisfaction, and student engagement survey deployment, as well as develop reports for the Board of Education on the survey results.
• Coordinate the collection of data from rounding and assist in the development of the rounding schedule.Coordinate quarterly stoplight reports for the Board of Education on data gathered from rounding.
• Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s executive team. Work with the district-level leadership team to develop key messages and strategically distribute information through a variety of communications channels and stakeholders. Attend School Board meetings, administrative team meetings, and other committee meetings as designated.
• Facilitate the planning, creation, and execution of all internal and external communications, including website, media relations, news releases, newsletters, marketing materials, social media, video, special events, annual reports, and crisis communications.
• Monitor overall district communications for quality, consistency of message, and effectiveness, including via solicited feedback and research to assess outcomes.
• Provide professional public relations counsel and assistance to the administration, School Board, and school staff. 
• Establish and maintain two-way communication systems among schools, offices, departments, and the district, as well as among the district, media, and community.
• Expedite responses to inquiries and complaints received from citizens, news media, and internal school community members.
• Provide in-service staff training on District advocacy and community relations.  
• Provide professional assistance, guidance, and support in the development of key communication materials for schools and departments.
• Effectively communicate informational material through large and small presentations to both district groups and community partners.
• Manage proactive media relations by establishing positive working relationships with local and regional news organizations; create and distribute news releases; and serve as a liaison between the District and news media.

Please see the WECAN posting for a full description.

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, education, mass communication, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in public relations or marketing communications; experience in school, government, or non-profit communications preferred.
• Accreditation in Public Relations preferred, but not required.

Salary:  $94,320 - $106,918