Reading School District
Position Title: Director of Communications
Salary Range: $84,000-$117,000
Reports To: Chief Administrative Officer
Supervises: Administrative support personnel and others as assigned
Position Goal: The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and executing a District-wide communications plan that supports and aligns with the District’s strategic plan and positively promotes the public image of the District to internal and external stakeholders. The Director is also the key facilitator of all District-wide staff and family communications on matters related to district updates and other information.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties. Other duties may be assigned.
- Develops, implements, manages, and evaluates a District-wide communication plan that supports and aligns with the District’s strategic plan.
- Serves as the liaison between the District and all news media outlets in connection with media site visits and the creation and dissemination of news and information to public audiences at the local and national levels, including media conferences, news releases, and crisis communications.
- Develops, standardizes, and manages the district’s technological communication vehicles and protocols to ensure effective communications and marketing initiatives.
- Ensures effective two-way communications between the District and the public through the use and interpretation of opinion-polling instruments to inform District decisions, policies, and procedures, where appropriate.
- Prioritizes communications and public relations needs and facilitates appropriate and timely response(s).
- Plans and directs the dissemination of information, including the target audience, message, format, and structure of communication.
- Manages the use, training, and evaluation of communication tools (Websites, Blackboard, Remind, Class Dojo, District-wide e-mail and social media channels).
- Directs district enrollment marketing and promotional activities.
- Cooperates with school and district leadership on welcoming events and other significant events including, but not limited to, Homecoming and Graduation.
- Provides training and consultation to other staff on aspects of communication, marketing, and public relations.
- Develops and maintains quality standards for District publications, website, and social media tools.
- Researches and prepares position papers, reports, presentations, and speeches for the Superintendent and other administrators, upon request.
- Composes and produces press releases, fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, and other public relations documents.
- Oversees development of concepts, writing scripts, securing of photos and production of multimedia presentations for special events, marketing or other promotional events.
- Develops, prepares, and analyzes the annual budget for the Communication Department.
- Trains, supervises, and evaluates assigned personnel.
- Performs such other duties as requested/assigned by direct supervisor.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s Degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
- Five (5) years or more experience in supervising a comprehensive communications program in an educational setting is desirable. (experience in a large school district and/or urban district highly preferred)
- Progressive responsibility and experience in the coordination and administration of communications or public relations programs.
- Proven experience in developing communications plans, setting strategy, and executing plans with measurable successes.
- Extensive knowledge of principles, methods, and theory of communications, public relations and marketing; public speaking techniques; media sources, including newspaper, radio, television, internet, etc.; and public education structure, laws, and operation with regard to Central Office administration and educational programs.
- Extensive knowledge of effective communication tools and platforms, including social media, to effectively brand a school district.
- Awareness of community resources.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Valid driver’s license
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Exemplary writing, speaking, editing, and news reporting skills; including the use of computer software for publishing and editing.
- Exemplary supervisory, communication, analytical and judgment skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrative positive attitude, and ability to work effectively in teams
- Ability to clearly and accurately communicate in concise manner effectively to diverse audiences
- Ability to think strategically and to develop and manage complex communication projects, involving multiple sites and diverse audience
- Ability to work successfully under pressure and handle multiple and changing priorities and requests from a wide variety of sources, with attention to detail and deadlines
- Ability to make judgment on the appropriate method of communication on a variety of District issues or news stories
- Ability to interact effectively with individuals and groups in a variety of settings with persons of diverse backgrounds, experiences and agendas
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Full-time (12-month) exempt position. Salary and benefits consistent with the District’s approved Compensation and Benefits Plan and/or individual contract.
EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel
The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the Department of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned.
The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational, and service organization.
APPLY HERE