Chief of Communications

Posting Timeline

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PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This job is open until filled. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

First review of applications will be 9 / 13 / 24.

Position Details

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to hire a Chief of Communications who models the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District's focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice.

The OpportunityWe are seeking a Chief of Communications to join the cabinet at Portland Public Schools. The Chief of Communications is responsible for leading the staff and activities of the Communications department of the District; lead, design, implement, and communicate Portland Public School's enterprise-wide communications strategic plans and actions. Build, maintain and communicate PPS' reputation, values and culture across the organization and with external audiences, especially students and families. Direct strategic and tactical message development and guide communication efforts, including print and digital media, social media, cable network media, etc.; and support the Superintendent's Cabinet as the principal communications partner on a variety of strategic initiatives.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

LEADERSHIP

Serve as leading communication strategist on PPS initiatives, goals and priorities with focus on forward looking message and communications planning.Communicate and represent the District's vision and perspective internally and to the general public / community.Establish and implement a comprehensive plan, including the development of materials, that builds and maintains support for the district's strategic plan.Build and maintain public support for public education and the school system in collaboration with the Superintendent, Superintendent's Cabinet, Executive Staff, and PPS administration.Lead strong, vision-focused, service-oriented team of professionals across all aspects of media, internal and external communications, multilinguistic outreach, web design and communications and marketing.Manage the Superintendent's and their Cabinet's public communications and the District's brand through well-developed internal communications, public affairs, crisis communications and marketing plan and strategy.Provide internal consultation services to District leaders, Center for Black Student Excellence, Strategic Project Management Office, Office of School Modernization, and other departments regarding communication of critical initiatives and department strategic priorities, in alignment with the District mission and vision.Develop, direct, analyze, and evaluate the District's public relations, marketing, communications, and public affairs strategy; execute effective campaigns / programs on a local, state, and national basis, with major emphasis on employee communications and communications between the District and the community.Serve as public relations advisor to the Superintendent, Board of Education, Superintendent's Cabinet, and Senior Leadership Team.Identify community issues and concerns, and develop strategies for dealing effectively and proactively with community issues and concerns; interact with diverse stakeholder groups, and represent the Superintendent or Chief of Staff as directed.Communicate and collaborate with the Superintendent, Cabinet, Chief of Staff, Senior Leadership, Board of Education, other administrators, and district personnel to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information; model district standards of ethics and professionalism.Demonstrate a commitment to the Portland Public Schools Racial Equity and Social Justice Commitment by developing a thorough knowledge and application of the district Racial Educational Equity Policy, the PPS RESJ Framework and Plan, and the PPS RESJ Partnerships Investment Strategy and other board policies; participate in staff development, in-services and trainings related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in K - 12 education; model appropriate behaviors; develop, recommend and implement improvements to educational practices with awareness and understanding of their impact in a racially and culturally diverse community.Perform related duties as assigned.ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT

Compose, or edit, written and oral communications such as speeches, press releases, news conference materials, website content and social media posts to convey and articulate the District's mission; support individual schools, the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools in actively communicating Board actions, education policies and procedures, District programs and information campaigns.Plan and administer District-wide functions as designated by the Superintendent or Chief of Staff.Develop and monitor program's annual objectives, performance measures, and budgets.Plan, develop, and maintain effective processes and channels of communication with internal and external audiences.Develop communication strategies, tactics, and action plans for all major PPS initiatives, and serve as a public relations consultant to key District committees and task forces.Work collaboratively with administrators, staff members, and community volunteers in planning / developing public relations programs and strategies for both one-way and two-way communications with diverse constituents.Supervise, evaluate, and hold accountable the performance and professionalism of assigned staff; interview and select employees, and recommend transfers, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate, and arrange for appropriate professional development opportunities for assigned staff.Oversee preparation, administration, and control of department budget.MEDIA RELATIONS

Lead the development and delivery of news to broadcast, print, and online media to create media coverage of the school District on a daily basis.Serve as a liaison between the District and the media, and serve as the District's top spokesperson, handling sensitive and controversial issues.Develop, coordinate, and monitor the crisis communication plan and implementation.Organize press conferences and the release of information to the media and the public.Develop and maintain working relationships with community leaders, organizations, and members of the media.MARKETING / COMMUNICATIONS

Create, implement, and direct a marketing program that enhances PPS' image in the eye of the community with a recognizable "brand" reflective of a school district on an upward trajectory.Develop and maintain brand image, positioning, and messaging for PPS; develop and maintain image and identity standards for PPS.Provide analysis of results, and recommend public relations / marketing strategies and tactics.Manage the development and production of District marketing communications, including print and electronic publications, collateral materials, presentations, website content, social networking sites such as Instagram and Facebook, new media productions, advertising, media relations, and television broadcasts for staff and the community.Build capacity of PPS administrators and departments in communications by providing training on a variety of topics, including public communications, marketing, and media.EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS

In partnership with the Chief Human Resources Officer, develop overall strategy and plan for District-level employee communications.Maintain open line of communication between the Superintendent and PPS employees using a variety of tactics and techniques.Coach and facilitate the work of Executive Staff, managers, and supervisors in communicating more effectively with employees.Communicate to staff the rationale for Superintendent and Board of Education decisions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEBachelor's Degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field is required. A Master's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Policy Administration or related field preferred.

Ten (10) years of accomplished strategic communications experience of increasing scope at a large, complex organization is required, preferably with some experience at a public agency. At least three (3) years must have been in a senior management capacity, overseeing strategic communications and teams.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

Experience working and / or consulting in a unionized environment.Commitment and demonstrated experiences of leading, coaching, and guiding organizational change to increase cultural and linguistic diversity within organizations and / or departments.Strategic thinking capability paired with the ability to motivate others.Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative teams and mentor personnel.Demonstrated ability to deliver excellence in Communications through large teams in complex environments.Ability to develop consistency of process while demonstrating in an environment of transformation and change.Familiarity with the structures and systems of pre-K-12 environment.SALARYHiring range is between $200,000 and $219,000.

Benefits Information

Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.

Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS / OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP / IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary : $200,000 - $219,000