Director of Communications - 2025-2026

Qualifications: 

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related field.

Preferred: 5 to 10 years of experience managing communications or with similar industries. Demonstrated experience leading others and successfully managing projects on deadline; excellent interpersonal and oral skills; excellent writing ability. Experience in a variety of web platforms and media.

FLSA:  Exempt

Salary Schedule:  Per Approved Administrative Salary Schedule

Direct Report:  Superintendent

Terms of Employment:  12 Month

Eligible for emergency telework: Yes

Purpose:  Serves as the press officer and spokesperson for SJSD by developing and executing comprehensive media relations strategies and coordinating media interviews, media releases, pitches and new coverage, and district-wide events. Manages the transfer of information throughout the organization and to external entities. Because of the scope of the duties required by this job, the acceptance of extra duty assignments is not allowed.

Position Description: The St. Joseph School District is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Director of Communications. Reporting to the Superintendent or designee, this position is essential to effectively integrating the SJSD’s marketing and communications. Candidates should be committed to the mission & vision of the SJSD; have demonstrated leadership managing public relations and publication programs and possess persuasive oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.

Essential Job Functions:

• Attend work in a regular, reliable and punctual manner.
• To "telework" when requested by the District.
• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise internal and external school, community and staff communication programs for the District.
• Develop and execute comprehensive media relations strategies.
• Coordinate media interviews, district media releases, pitches and new coverage Plans and execute district-wide events.
• Responsible for the transfer of SJSD information throughout all levels of the organization and with outside contacts.
• Develop and direct a variety of staff communication tools.
• Assist schools with accurate timely, high quality public communications.
• Direct and supervise department staff coordination of communications, community, and government relations.
• Review and authorize all public dissemination of District information to the media, other agencies, and the public.
• Communicate with SJSD Board of Education the SJSD goals and communication plans, act as advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education members.
• Responsible for finished SJSD pieces and their production, (whether written or video).
• Oversee the SJSD social media presence through web publications and social media.
• Serve as crisis communicator for the SJSD including coordinating emergency communications team when applicable.
• Assists the Superintendent in establishing workable, prioritized, and strategic work plans for the marketing and communications of the SJSD.
• Supervise the development and coordination of public relations activities for capital bond and/or local option elections, prepare work plans and strategies for information dissemination.
• Assist with a community engagement plan, implementation, strategies, and rollout with internal and external stakeholders.
• Must assist with sensitive communications and be able to guide and counsel principals and other senior leaders develop talking points and communication strategies.
• Some evening and weekend work will be required.
• Other assigned duties.

Employee Behavior and Conduct:

District employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact, both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

EOE

Please watch for email communications from our district.  If selected for an interview you may be contacted via email.