Hartford Public Schools
Director of External Relations and Communications - Central Office - (N154-2425)
Hartford Public Schools, Hartford, Connecticut, us, 06112
POSTING NUMBER : N154-2425
POSTING DATE : September 27, 2024
CLOSING DATE : Until Filled
POSITION : Director of External Relations and Communications
REPORTS TO : Deputy Superintendent of Administration and Operations (Primary); Deputy Superintendent of Schools (Secondary)
PRIMARY FUNCTION : The Director of External Relations and Communications provides strategic leadership for the Hartford Public Schools’ (HPS) external relations, advocacy, communications, and marketing strategies. This position will partner with the Superintendent and Board of Education in organizing advocacy and external relations, engaging with elected officials, community partners, and HPS stakeholders to identify and elevate priority issues on behalf of improving outcomes for students in Hartford.
This Director will also provide direction for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Communications and External Relations. In collaboration with the executive team, this position will develop and execute culturally responsive and inclusive communication plans to promote the district’s work in accelerating equity and excellence for students, families, and community. The Director will ensure that Hartford Public Schools’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are infused into internal and external communications.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : The Director of External Relations and Communications’ responsibilities will include but will not be limited to the following:
In partnership with the Superintendent and Board of Education, organize and direct legislative advocacy work, including annual development of legislative proposals and regular communication with state and local delegations.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the district lobbyist, prioritizing their efforts to advocate for policy changes that benefit the district.
Coordinate district-wide public events and serve as the point person for collaboration with the City and other public officials.
Work in collaboration with Board Liaison to ensure high functioning board relations, presentations, and efficient, effective board communications.
Utilize all available district and school-based multimedia resources/channels (email, web, video, radio, TV, print, and social media) to share news and maintain lines of communication with district constituents, the media, and other agencies on behalf of the district.
Serve as a point of contact for all advertising and marketing agency partners.
Oversee the design and execution of online and offline marketing initiatives, integrating online and new media, email, social media, SEM/SEO strategy development, brand awareness, and other marketing initiatives.
Ensure alignment of communication strategies with overall goals and objectives of the district strategic plan and build brand awareness and district positioning.
Develop and lead a culturally responsive and outcomes-based strategic communications plan—utilizing both traditional and new media channels—to support the district in meeting its strategic goals.
Oversee the execution of the strategic communications plan.
Develop and coordinate promotional marketing materials and activities, ensuring the district’s commitment to DEIB are infused into organizational culture.
Serve as a spokesperson for Hartford Public Schools during the Superintendent’s absence.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with various news media and other public groups.
Notify news media of district activities, events, and services and assist media in promoting district policies, programs, and events by issuing news releases, feature stories, and public service announcements.
Manage crisis communications strategy and execution, identify risks, prepare contingency and recovery plans.
Respond to media inquiries and assist media in promoting district policies, programs, and special events; consult with appropriate staff to coordinate and supervise the dissemination of information through the media.
Maintain and update media contacts and distribution lists.
Supervise and manage the budget of the Office of Communications and External Relations, including the district Print Shop/Copy Center.
Responsible for all aspects of projects, including meeting deadlines, time management, contingency planning, budgeting, campaign analysis, and tracking/monitoring procedures.
Support the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing in collaborating with schools and departments to meet the district’s strategic communications needs.
Support the Office of Communications and External Relations with drafting, editing, and distribution of content for the Superintendent, including talking points, speaking remarks, presentation/presenter notes, statements, letters, memos, and social media posts.
Supervise the drafting, editing, and distribution of letters, web posts/stories, statements, media advisories, press releases, brochures, and other materials to families, students, staff, community partners, and media.
Oversee the preparation of multilingual news releases about programs, projects, activities, and accomplishments of Hartford Public Schools’ students and staff.
Maintain communications software applications that facilitate internal communications, customer service, and operational effectiveness.
Prepare and present reports on a variety of public information issues.
Perform other related activities as delegated by supervisor.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE :
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, political science, or a related field or relevant experience; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in communications, external relations, government affairs, or advocacy, preferably in an educational or public sector organization.
Demonstrated expertise in at least four of the following areas:
External relations
Government affairs or advocacy within local, state, or federal government
Internal/external communications
Crisis communications
Media/public relations
Marketing strategy
Brand management
Event planning
Digital marketing
Excellent writing, strategic thinking, and project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities.
Independent, entrepreneurial, and excellent problem solver.
Understanding of the urban school system environment and commitment to district’s goal of improving student achievement.
Demonstrated cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing families living in concentrated poverty.
Service oriented approach to supporting schools, the Superintendent, and the City of Hartford.
Motivated to promote a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for students, staff, families, and stakeholders.
Bilingual - English/Spanish - preferred.
SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : This is a non-bargaining position and has a 12-month work year. The salary range is $100,000 - $125,000.
UNION AFFILIATION : Not applicable.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at
https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford .
Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email.
Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed. Candidates who advance through the initial review will be notified and placed in the pool for consideration by hiring managers. Candidates will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.
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POSTING DATE : September 27, 2024
CLOSING DATE : Until Filled
POSITION : Director of External Relations and Communications
REPORTS TO : Deputy Superintendent of Administration and Operations (Primary); Deputy Superintendent of Schools (Secondary)
PRIMARY FUNCTION : The Director of External Relations and Communications provides strategic leadership for the Hartford Public Schools’ (HPS) external relations, advocacy, communications, and marketing strategies. This position will partner with the Superintendent and Board of Education in organizing advocacy and external relations, engaging with elected officials, community partners, and HPS stakeholders to identify and elevate priority issues on behalf of improving outcomes for students in Hartford.
This Director will also provide direction for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Communications and External Relations. In collaboration with the executive team, this position will develop and execute culturally responsive and inclusive communication plans to promote the district’s work in accelerating equity and excellence for students, families, and community. The Director will ensure that Hartford Public Schools’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are infused into internal and external communications.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : The Director of External Relations and Communications’ responsibilities will include but will not be limited to the following:
In partnership with the Superintendent and Board of Education, organize and direct legislative advocacy work, including annual development of legislative proposals and regular communication with state and local delegations.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the district lobbyist, prioritizing their efforts to advocate for policy changes that benefit the district.
Coordinate district-wide public events and serve as the point person for collaboration with the City and other public officials.
Work in collaboration with Board Liaison to ensure high functioning board relations, presentations, and efficient, effective board communications.
Utilize all available district and school-based multimedia resources/channels (email, web, video, radio, TV, print, and social media) to share news and maintain lines of communication with district constituents, the media, and other agencies on behalf of the district.
Serve as a point of contact for all advertising and marketing agency partners.
Oversee the design and execution of online and offline marketing initiatives, integrating online and new media, email, social media, SEM/SEO strategy development, brand awareness, and other marketing initiatives.
Ensure alignment of communication strategies with overall goals and objectives of the district strategic plan and build brand awareness and district positioning.
Develop and lead a culturally responsive and outcomes-based strategic communications plan—utilizing both traditional and new media channels—to support the district in meeting its strategic goals.
Oversee the execution of the strategic communications plan.
Develop and coordinate promotional marketing materials and activities, ensuring the district’s commitment to DEIB are infused into organizational culture.
Serve as a spokesperson for Hartford Public Schools during the Superintendent’s absence.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with various news media and other public groups.
Notify news media of district activities, events, and services and assist media in promoting district policies, programs, and events by issuing news releases, feature stories, and public service announcements.
Manage crisis communications strategy and execution, identify risks, prepare contingency and recovery plans.
Respond to media inquiries and assist media in promoting district policies, programs, and special events; consult with appropriate staff to coordinate and supervise the dissemination of information through the media.
Maintain and update media contacts and distribution lists.
Supervise and manage the budget of the Office of Communications and External Relations, including the district Print Shop/Copy Center.
Responsible for all aspects of projects, including meeting deadlines, time management, contingency planning, budgeting, campaign analysis, and tracking/monitoring procedures.
Support the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing in collaborating with schools and departments to meet the district’s strategic communications needs.
Support the Office of Communications and External Relations with drafting, editing, and distribution of content for the Superintendent, including talking points, speaking remarks, presentation/presenter notes, statements, letters, memos, and social media posts.
Supervise the drafting, editing, and distribution of letters, web posts/stories, statements, media advisories, press releases, brochures, and other materials to families, students, staff, community partners, and media.
Oversee the preparation of multilingual news releases about programs, projects, activities, and accomplishments of Hartford Public Schools’ students and staff.
Maintain communications software applications that facilitate internal communications, customer service, and operational effectiveness.
Prepare and present reports on a variety of public information issues.
Perform other related activities as delegated by supervisor.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE :
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, political science, or a related field or relevant experience; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in communications, external relations, government affairs, or advocacy, preferably in an educational or public sector organization.
Demonstrated expertise in at least four of the following areas:
External relations
Government affairs or advocacy within local, state, or federal government
Internal/external communications
Crisis communications
Media/public relations
Marketing strategy
Brand management
Event planning
Digital marketing
Excellent writing, strategic thinking, and project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities.
Independent, entrepreneurial, and excellent problem solver.
Understanding of the urban school system environment and commitment to district’s goal of improving student achievement.
Demonstrated cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing families living in concentrated poverty.
Service oriented approach to supporting schools, the Superintendent, and the City of Hartford.
Motivated to promote a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for students, staff, families, and stakeholders.
Bilingual - English/Spanish - preferred.
SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : This is a non-bargaining position and has a 12-month work year. The salary range is $100,000 - $125,000.
UNION AFFILIATION : Not applicable.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at
https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford .
Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email.
Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed. Candidates who advance through the initial review will be notified and placed in the pool for consideration by hiring managers. Candidates will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.
#J-18808-Ljbffr