Communications Manager

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Applicants are instructed to address in their application/resume their experiences directly related to each section noted in the posting. Only completed/submitted online applications with supporting documents will be screened.

POSITION TITLE: Communications Manager

DESCRIPTION: A strategic professional who oversees and supports the district's internal and external communications to include social media, publications and district communications while also enhancing public awareness of district initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education: Required – BA/BS in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, English or related media studies.
2. Experience: Required – Minimum of five (5) years' experience in a communication of public relations role.

Preferred – Minimum of five (5) years' experience in a communication of public relations role within a public school setting. Spanish fluency, both written and conversational preferred.

ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Interprets community needs and opinions to the administration and the Board of Education; provide the public relations viewpoint in program and policy planning including planning relating to labor negotiations.
2. Advises the superintendent, administrative team and members of the Board of Education as applicable on the probable public relations consequences relating to planned or proposed shifts in existing programs and policies, including collective bargaining proposals or negotiating strategies, based on reviewing relevant documents and other appropriate information as needed.
3. Provide crisis communications support as needed, including utilization/management of the rapid notification system and other alerts.
4. Manage the District's website by regularly updating content to ensure that it is accurate, timely, strategically sound, brand and mission appropriate, search engine optimized, and aligned with the school's marketing and communications goals. Collaborates with the technology department as needed.
5. Ability to establish and execute public awareness campaigns and communications plans for the district.
6. Evaluate effectiveness of current communications and public relations initiatives and develop strategies that will increase visibility with target markets to advance Woodland 50 mission.
7. Serves as information liaison between the total school system and the community at large.
8. Set annual objectives for the district's communications program and plan budget for meeting objectives.
9. Develops and maintains relationships with local media, including newspapers and electronic outlets.
10. Collaborates with local press to distribute new releases, pitch stories, support articles and arrange photos, respond to press inquiries and coordinate coverage, act as spokesperson as needed.
11. Maintains a vibrant and creative presence for the District's various social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) through effective use of photos, videos, and written posts.
12. Monitors media coverage, news articles and social media outlets related to District #50 and its brand, as well as relevant education trends, in order to maximize opportunities for positive public relations and dismantle negative PR. Track and provide notifications, respond as needed.
13. Develops, executes, and oversees the creation of District print and digital promotional materials, including newsletters, brochures, photography, videography, and advertisements.
14. Publicize and promote Woodland School District 50 activities and successes.
15. Plans and supervises the periodic polling of public opinion regarding the district or current issues in education.
16. Monitors, informs and develops strategies with district administration and the Board of Education regarding legislative issues and public elections that impact public education.
17. Serves as Woodland's liaison to business, community and government partners including PTA and Woodland Educational Foundation.
18. Chairs relevant strategic plan committee to support and advance the district's mission, vision and goals.
19. Maintains open lines of communication with all community organizations and provides prompt responses to requests for public information about the district, its policies, and its programs.
20. Researches and responds to communications-related inquiries and complaints from community and media.
21. Formulates district correspondence on behalf of the Superintendent and Board of Education.
22. Assists administrators with preparation of talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed.
23. Promotes student, staff and district achievements and initiatives through various media including local newspaper outlets, publications, websites and social media.
24. Creates meaningful and newsworthy stories which resonate with a variety of stakeholders.
25. Manages publication and product archives, press clippings, notebooks and files.
26. Assists in coordinating staff recognition activities including the annual staff retirement celebration.
27. Manage District online calendars.
28. Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent and Associate Superintendent of Education

CORE COMPETENCIES:

1. Supports the establishment of mutual respect and equal human dignity across the entire school community.
2. Welcomes and promotes inclusion, equity, and diversity.
3. Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the success of all students.
4. Understands that one's identity may be different from students, parents, and staff. Appreciates those differences for the success of all students.
5. Works collaboratively and respectfully with students, parents, staff and community members across diverse identities and backgrounds.
6. Anticipates, identifies, and adapts to change in support of continuous improvement.
7. Communicates in an approachable, respectful and professional manner.
8. Participates in professional development and training to enhance effectiveness.
9. Takes initiative, manages multiple priorities, and organizes work efficiently.
10. Effectively organizes work to be as productive as possible.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Technical: Demonstrated skills in writing, editing and public speaking. Experience with social media and emerging technologies. Competence in and able to effectively use desktop publishing software including Adobe InDesign. Must be able to effectively use photography equipment/software. Competent in digital environments; databases, spreadsheets, publishing software, Microsoft Office, etc.

Interpersonal: Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with students, staff, parents, businesses and community. Strong organization, communication and interpersonal skills. Comprehensive strategic thinking and rapid problem-solving skills to effectively handle crisis communications. Ability to cope with deadline pressures. Creative problem solver. Ability to facilitate meetings efficiently. Empathetic, humanistic and open-minded. Strong sense of teamwork. Strategic thinker. Must be able to make difficult decisions that impact the organization in a positive sense. Must be able to work harmoniously with the community, students, parents, staff, and administration, etc. Must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents and staff. Must exhibit sound judgment in dealing with people. Must have strong organizational skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Manual Dexterity: Work requires definite skilled and accurate physical operations requiring some closely coordinated performance.

Physical Effort: Work requires handling average weight materials or equipment, but not for sustained periods.

Working Conditions: Some exposure to definitely disagreeable elements may exist. Will be traveling to various schools, venues, etc.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Full-time position. Twelve month year (260 days).

SALARY RANGE: $80,000 - $90,000. Based on experience and education.

HOW TO APPLY: Internal applicants should apply online and attach a resume to the online application. External applicants should apply online and attach three letters of recommendations, resume and transcript(s) to the online application.

All applicants: Please upload no more than ten (10) examples of your work that demonstrates your versatility in writing, marketing, communication and public relations. Applicants are instructed to deal specifically with qualifying factors mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. All applicants must be willing to interview in person and demonstrate skills through a situational analysis. Applicants will be contacted within three weeks if invited for an interview. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Further information regarding this position may be obtained by contacting:

CONTACT PERSON:

Dr. Robert Machak Superintendent rmachak@dist50.net (847) 596-5601

Woodland School District 50 is an Equal Opportunity Employer with established policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, marital status, arrest record, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable military discharge, citizenship status provided the individual is authorized to work in the United States, use of lawful products while not at work, being a victim of domestic or sexual violence, genetic information, physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, or other legally protected categories. The Associate Superintendent (847-596-5630) addresses questions regarding student discrimination, and the Director of Human Resources (847-596-5640) answers questions concerning employment discrimination.