Summary

Academy District 20 is hiring for a new Assistant Director for Communication. This is a role for someone who wants to do communication work that matters, spanning beyond simply writing messages or managing projects in isolation. This position helps lead a talented team, partners with schools and departments across the District, and helps ensure communication is strategic, responsive, and trusted.

Description

Academy District 20 is hiring for a new Assistant Director for Communication. This is a role for someone who wants to do communication work that matters, spanning beyond simply writing messages or managing projects in isolation. This position helps lead a talented team, partners with schools and departments across the District, and helps ensure communication is strategic, responsive, and trusted. We are seeking an individual who embodies both leadership and support of essential team functions, along with liaison work across the organization, which makes this a great opportunity for someone ready to grow and make a real impact.

If you are looking for a position where every day is different, where your judgment and relationships matter, and where your work contributes to a mission larger than yourself, please consider submitting an application. Academy District 20 is a District with a strong culture, dedicated team, and this role offers the chance to shape communication in ways that serve students, staff, families, and the wider community to positively impact the next generation.

A member of the Department for Communication, the Assistant Director of Communication oversees communication initiatives and acts as a liaison to schools and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate is forward-thinking, high-energy, proactive, thrives in stressful situations, likes to beat a tight deadline, enjoys a good challenge and understands the power of storytelling.

 

 

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

  • Reports consistently for work as scheduled

  • Performs other duties as assigned

  • Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards

 

Departmental Leadership 

  • Provides leadership and support to members of the communication team on essential job functions 

  • Acts as a liaison between department and schools and other internal stakeholders 

  • Fills in for Chief Communication Officer (CCO) as a backup in absence or illness situations  

 

Media Relations 

  • Attends Board of Education meetings to support CCO, manage media presence

  • Manages and field media inquiries and interview requests 

  • Identifies and pitches stories to media outlets 

  • Creates and nurtures relationships 

  • Manages and updates media lists  

  • Writes and edits media alerts and releases 

  • Monitors and analyzes media placements 

  • Communicates media metrics  

  • Oversees district expert list 

  • Conducts media trainings 

  • Maintains a keen understanding of industry trends  

  • Makes appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy 

  • Prepares and coordinates press events/conferences 

  • Serves as back-ups spokesperson in absence of Chief Communication Officer 

  • Supports Chief Communication Officer with all crisis communication efforts 

 

Written & Visual Communication 

  • Plans, writes, and posts/distributes announcements and features for various digital and traditional channels 

  • Supports dissemination of internal communication 

  • Manages video storytelling efforts 

  • Gathers and generates stories to disseminate internally 

 

Social Media 

  • Works closely with district Digital Communication Coordinator to strategically produce and time content

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • Ability to keep information confidential

  • Ability to prioritize and plan effectively 

  • Ability to think differently and be creative 

  • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment 

  • Ability to work in high-stress environments and be flexible 

  • A full understanding of media needs and media relationships 

  • A wide degree of creativity and latitude 

  • Confident communicator and presenter 

  • Embraces professional learning opportunities to continually improve abilities 

  • Excellent organizational and planning skills 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

  • Outstanding interpersonal skills 

  • Polished presentation skills and ability to assist with events, to include emcee responsibilities as necessary

  • Proactive, reliable, responsible and accurate with an attention to detail 

  • Proficient in photography and videography as needed to support visual storytelling

  • Proficient with Microsoft and Adobe programs 

  • Proven track record of creating successful and impactful media and public relations tactics 

  • Proven leadership tactics and skills 

  • Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management 

  • Solid technology skills 

  • Strategic and goal oriented 

  • Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms 

  • Working knowledge of design principals 

  • Willing to work nonstandard hours when required 

 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. 

 

Physical Demands: The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. All physical demands, if listed, are considered essential functions. 

  • Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing duties 

  • Has oral and auditory capacity enabling interaction interpersonally and/or through communication devices 

  • Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination enabling the use of equipment and writing utensils 

 

Cognitive Functions: The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. The staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills. 

 

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's (Baccalaureate) degree (e.g., B.A., A.B., B.S.)

  • 5+ Years Professional Experience Working in Communication, Branding, Marketing, Advertising or Journalism

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Participation in an industry professional group such as PRSA, AdFed, AMA, Crisis Communication Network or similar

  • Experience working with both traditional and digital communication

  • Experience working in or with a PR, Marketing, Communication or Advertising Department

  • Experience working in or with education (K-12 or Higher Ed)

Timeline:

Posting Date: Friday, March 13

Closing Date: Monday, April 6 at Noon

Preliminary Interviews: Friday, April 10

Final Interviews: Wednesday, April 15

Compensation Range:

$100,860-$110,860

 

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