Manager Comms and Website Standards

Overview of Position

Essential Functions

50%

• Oversees the department's day-to-day operations including: research, writing and disseminating highly effective electronic, written and verbal messages for various stakeholders; special initiatives and the department's annual work plan.
• In collaboration with the Chief Public Affairs Officer, supports weekly team meetings and cross-departmental work groups.
• Develops and implements communications strategies with the Superintendent, cabinet members, the Board of Directors, school leaders and others to ensure consistent and cohesive messages are disseminated.
• Ensures the district is communicating the goals of the Strategic Plan and news from around the district to staff and public.
• Supervises a team of external communications specialists and coordinates implementation of the district editorial calendar.

• Works with the Chief Public Affairs Officer, Media and Crisis Communication Specialist, and SPS Security to continually refine and improve the district's comprehensive crisis communications plan.
• Identifies and implements district communications system improvements.
• Works with other departments to provide communications planning and assistance.
• Develops new technologies and approaches to improve internal communication and engagement.

• Writes content and maintains the district's internal online communications.
• Takes the lead on school-based crisis communications to ensure clear, immediate and consistent messaging to families and in support of Executive Directors and Principals.
• Serves as the communications point person for school leadership and Directors of Schools.
• Works closely with Principals, safety & security staff and others to help communicate issues at their respective schools through robocalls, emails, and other forms of mass internal communication.
• Develops and executes communications plans and messaging for internal audiences related to major initiatives and the strategic plan.
• Coaches and trains district staff to communicate effectively and improve the reputation of Seattle Public Schools.
• Engages staff to develop solutions and manages implementation of solutions that increase efficiency and effectiveness of communications with internal stakeholders, staff and families.
• Plans and implements Superintendent internal engagement and communication including but not limited to central office meetings, awards or recognitions, and/or proclamations.

• Member of the District Issues Management Response Team, which is comprised of staff members who assess and strategize ways to handle major issues that arise in schools.
• Works closely with the Chief Public Affairs Officer and other communications team members and departments to ensure smooth rollouts of major projects and initiatives, news and announcements.
• Supports State of the District and other key district events as needed. Communicates with the School Board regarding issues at the direction of the Chief of Public Affairs.
• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

• Sets and maintains high performance standards for self and others.
• Motivates others to convert ideas into actions and results.
• Recognizes and takes advantage of opportunities to deliver results.
• Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting things done.

• Responds quickly to change and comfortably considers new approaches.
• Operates well in situations when consequences of actions and decisions are unclear.
• Switches strategies or approach if current ones are not working.

• Organizes and presents information in writing in a clear and convincing manner.
• Uses appropriate writing style and tailors writing to meet the needs of the audience.
• Uses correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Understands the interests, motivations and agendas of others.
• Uses the "informal" channels to get things done without creating problems with the "formal" channels.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how actions may impact stakeholders.
• Makes comments that move the group or situations towards a productive outcome.

• Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside of the organization.
• Works to create win-win scenarios.
• Shares appropriate information to find common ground.
• Puts own agenda aside in order to achieve organization's goals.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

• Strong command of strategic communications and messaging.
• Knowledge of social media strategies, applications, and measurements.
• Experience in story telling through verbal, written and visual means.
• Ability to distill complex language into simple, reader friendly language.
• Ability to strategize how to efficiently handle discreet and sensitive information and when and how to properly communicate it.
• Excellent relationship management skills.
• Experience managing complex projects or a team and tracking to annual goals.
• Event planning and project management skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of software.
• Background in journalism and/or public relations, preferred.
• Experience planning and executing press conferences, preferred.
• Proven experience engaging with, and building, community relations, preferred.

Typical Qualifications

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Five to Eight (5-8) years of experience in a related field to include demonstrated experience in communications program management; lead or supervisory experience preferred; Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism or related area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice fingerprinting and background check.