Description

Position Overview: The Executive Director of Communications is responsible for developing, implementing, and analyzing comprehensive communications and marketing strategies to strengthen awareness and understanding of Madison Metropolitan School District. They must think creatively, strategize thoughtfully, and work collaboratively. The role involves time management, project management, writing, design, and creative work. The Executive Director of Communications must be a thought leader and implementer. They must keep an eye on the big picture of Madison Metropolitan School District while implementing tactics that build brand awareness and supporting initiatives across the entire district. The Executive Director of Communications must be able to work closely with all stakeholders, including schools, families, community partners, Senior Leadership, and the Board of Education.

As the driver of all internal and external communications plans and strategies on key initiatives and events:

1. Oversee the management of the district’s channels of communication
2. Oversee the system of management of the district’s website and campus websites
3. Create and maintain a communications plan and editorial calendar aligned with the district's vision and goals
4. Oversee the development and implementation of consistent systems, processes, and templates to support the goals of the district and communications department, as well as the brand of the district and the campuses
5. Maintain stakeholder contact information lists and notify stakeholders of events via email, social media, and other district communication channels
6. Develop marketing and communication plans for key initiatives and events aligned with the district and department goals
7. Serve as the primary writer (and editor) of speeches, remarks, talking points, articles, opinion editorials, blog entries, and other public or internal comments by the Superintendent and the Executive Leadership Team, including messaging that matches individuals’ style, voice, and preference for speeches
8. Seek, proactively, district recognition opportunities and create presentations and award submissions for district recognition opportunities
9. Maintain the district’s brand and oversee training for district staff related to brand standards 
10. Provide strategic support and oversight of the research, production, and publication of articles, internal messages, news releases, speeches for the Superintendent, social media posts, and other media content
    
    

As the district spokesperson:

1. Maintain strong relationships with local, state, and national media outlets
2. Address critical issues and supervise media responses and statements issued by the communications department
3. Work closely with the Superintendent, district leadership, and campus leadership as needed to respond to media inquiries in a timely manner.
4. Manage the production of timely district news coverage
5. Anticipate public events that can be used to advance district objectives or that might spark a crisis and address them accordingly
   
   

As a managing executive director:

1. Direct two or more levels of staff in the development, deployment, and ongoing management of key initiatives, with direct accountability for results in terms of effectiveness, costs, and methods
2. Delegate and oversee the work of the department
3. Set and communicate expectations clearly to the team
4. Maintain a working project management tool to track projects, their owner, their alignment with the district goals and communications plan, and their key measures.
5. Develop protocols to enhance and maintain a brand strategy for the district and all campus communications and events, promoting awareness across communication platforms and working in collaboration with key partners both internally and externally.
6. Facilitate staff development plans and evaluate job performance to ensure high performance from every employee.
7. Ensure cross-training of employees in the Communications Department
8. Participate in budget development and manage the Communications Department budget
9. Provide leadership to the communications team, setting direction and priorities that align with the strategic directives of the Superintendent and Executive Leadership Team and taking a collaborative approach to coaching and mentoring the team to improve effectiveness
10. Create an effective organizational structure for the Communications Department
    
    

Additional duties:

1. Attend all School Board meetings and other assigned district-wide events
2. Perform related duties as assigned by the Superintendent and the Deputy Superintendent
3. Participate in professional growth opportunities and professional organizations
4. Maintain regular and reliable attendance
   
   

Additional Required Skills:

• Strong and effective communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills
• Solid critical-thinking skills
• Expert skills in writing, proofreading, and copy editing
• Thorough knowledge of media relations and public relations
• Strong knowledge of the Madison-Metropolitan area media
• Strong knowledge of K-12 educational environment
• Ability to work in a team environment; must be collegial and supportive of shared goals
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and adhere to deadlines
• Ability to manage a department budget
• Excellent supervisory skills, leading and inspiring staff
• Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data
• Ability to design and produce district publications
• Expert with multimedia design; Ability to use desktop publishing hardware and software
• Demonstrate strong work ethic
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
• Expertise in organizing and managing multiple projects in fast-paced environments while balancing various priorities and a varying workload
• Experience with leading, managing, and empowering teams toward a shared goal
  
  

Experience and Qualifications:

• Degree in English, communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field
• Or advanced degree in communications, marketing, educational leadership, or a related discipline
• Seven to 10 years of professional experience in strategic communications, marketing, public relations, and/or organizational communications
• Proven experience in both writing and editing all types of content, including executive messaging
• Proven experience as an organizational spokesperson
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Experience in school district communications
• Experience working collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds, including senior leadership, senior campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, communications colleagues, community members, and news media