Chief Communications Officer

Job Title: Chief Communications Officer

The primary purpose of this position is to provide daily support to the Superintendent and to the district's administrative and support departments. The successful candidate will coordinate the district's communications, media relations, community relations, volunteers and marketing efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the district's marketing/communication program, including publications, television programming, website development and maintenance, community relations, media relations, recognition programs, and building the image of the district.
• Advises leadership of public relations implications of district decisions.
• Assists in the development of proactive and anticipatory crisis management plans for the district and campus leadership.
• Leads communications efforts in crisis situations for campuses and departments.
• Interprets public opinion concerning the school district and its programs.
• Works with parent and community organizations to interpret the district's policies and programs to the public and employees.
• Maintains an effective working relationship with area, state and national news media and acts as district spokesperson/contact.
• Acts as district liaison with community organizations, Realtors, builders, etc.
• Respond to all Open Records requests.

Additional Duties:

• Serve as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet and participates in the strategic planning process to meet the district's mission and goals.
• Exercise proactive leadership in promoting the vision and mission of the District and empower others to make decisions and carry out responsibilities in support of the District's objectives.
• Build synergistic partnerships among principals, parents, businesses, and other community stakeholders, and establish relationships with community leadership and stakeholders to build support for District programs.
• Represent the Superintendent of Schools as needed to clearly articulate system priorities, polices, and interests.
• Conduct professional development and training, including preparing training materials for staff and board members.
• Serve as a resource for legislative issues impacting State funding and other operations of the District.
• Demonstrate high expectations for staff performance and evaluate performance to ensure effectiveness.
• Serve as a member of the District's Emergency Response Team.

Board and Community Relations:

• Provide information to board members upon request.
• Attend all committee, regular and special board meetings as requested by the Superintendent for the purpose of informing and interpreting all matters related to data quality and accountability.
• Promote a positive image that supports the vision and mission of the district.
• Promote an open collegial environment among staff and develop positive staff morale.

Budget and Inventory:

• Administers the Public Information Department budget and ensures that programs are cost-effective, and funds are managed wisely.
• Monitors and evaluates departmental programs within areas of responsibility for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Updates departmental improvement plans as needed for status updates, new initiatives, etc. Provides updates to the Superintendent for inclusion in the Strategic Improvement Plan.
• Develops applicable budgetary packages based upon budgetary guidelines and needs identified in applicable department improvement plan(s) for submission to the Superintendent or designee during the budget development process.

Recruiting and Position Control:

• Create measurable data to recruit and retain district needs for accurate and efficient staff to student ratios.
• Receive and process all personnel requisitions including reconciling vacancies with approved staff allocations, verifying accuracy of information, and adding new positions as directed.
• Attend weekly/biweekly meetings with Executives and Principals to provide updated reports regarding data on recruiting efforts and positions control.
• Develop and implement effective recruiting strategies to help support and represent the district at key recruiting fairs and events.
• Develop and maintain active relationships with college and university career teacher preparation officials and placement offices, Regional Education Service Center staff (Region 3 & 4), Alternative Certification Programs, and other recruiting resource organizations.
• Create and develop Mentor Programs for Teachers and incoming recruits.

Personnel Management:

• Manages, conducts, and makes sound recommendations regarding supervisory activities in the areas of interviewing, selecting, and recommending communications department personnel placement or dismissal, training, professional development, counseling, and performance evaluations of all Communications department staff.

Policy, Reports, and Law:

• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy law.
• Monitor and interpret the impact of proposed or enacted legislation.
• Compile, maintain, file and present all computerized and physical reports, records, and other documents required.
• Review and recommend revision of Board Policy to the Superintendent as necessary.
• Prepares and presents agenda items and related information concerning the District to the Superintendent and/or Board of Trustees and related committees.

School/Organizational Climate:

• Promote a positive image that supports the vision and mission of the district.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in relating to and communicating with staff, school board, community and media.
• Promote an open collegial environment among staff and develop positive staff morale.
• Demonstrate skill in anticipating, managing and resolving conflict.

Communications:

• Maintain a positive and effective working relationship with the Superintendent, Board, coworkers, employees, outside agencies and organizations, and the general public.
• Effectively communicates with colleagues.
• Provide outstanding customer service.
• Maintain good judgment and decision making when dealing with supervisor, co-workers, district officials and employees, and outside agencies and organizations, and the general public.

Other:

• Maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information when received and distributed to appropriate designees as directed by the Superintendent or designee.
• Attend professional growth activities to keep abreast of innovations related to position.
• Maintain an organized work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.