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Education Writers Association

Director of Strategic Communications

Education Writers Association, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127


Director of Strategic Communications Position: Full-time, exempt

Location: Seattle / Remote

Salary: $150,000-$175,000

Position Summary

The Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is seeking an experienced, intellectually curious, and dynamic professional to assume the evolving role of the next Communications Director.

The Director of Strategic Communications will be responsible for developing and overseeing the execution of CRPE’s communications strategies, all with the goal of reinventing the public education delivery model to prepare all American students to solve tomorrow’s challenges.

The ideal candidate will be familiar with the political and education landscape, has a solid track record of strategic communications in education policy or research and has demonstrated success in devising and executing a national communications program.

CRPE seeks team members who are passionate about systems change and embrace the idea that public education is a goal, not a set of institutions. The following core values guide our work:

Equity: We are committed to an ongoing and active fight against racism and injustice

Curiosity: We ask questions that “look around the corner”

Excellence: We do world-class research that’s interesting, significant, and trustworthy

Teamwork: We’re clear, focused, and productive together

Ownership: We’re all responsible for CRPE’s success

Communication: We’re clear and honest with each other

Camaraderie: We appreciate each other

Integrity: We’re professional and ethical

Essential Duties

Build and execute CRPE’s multi-channel communications strategy and program (with measurable goals and benchmarks).

Develop CRPE’s brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms. Develop messaging and creative communications assets and provide strategic communications guidance to staff and research partners as appropriate.

Lead all internal and external communications efforts.

Identify, hire/contract, and manage the communications team, consultants, vendors, and/or products needed to support the communications program.

Serve as the communications content expert at CRPE; stay abreast of new developments, opportunities, and threats that will impact public education issues and initiatives; and build relationships with national, state, and local education-related organizations and peers across the country to leverage best practices.

Support the research team in setting a communications strategy that supports their respective research project priorities, the organization’s overall mission, and related grant metrics.

Provide consistent and timely information across the organization to employees and consultants through various communication mechanisms.

Manage CRPE’s digital communications program, including developing and maintaining the website, and social media channels, tracking engagement, and making data-driven decisions.

Direct all media relations and outreach, including developing positive professional relationships with various media members.

Write, design, and produce various publications for a variety of targeted audiences, including announcements, social media, collateral, videos, and reports to achieve project and organization goals.

Lead the development of a plan to ensure CPRE participation and presence at targeted events and conferences; support event planning and production for multiple audiences; and prepare presentations and speeches as needed.

Develop, implement, and adhere to the communications program budget.

Act as CRPE spokesperson as needed.

Create, track, and report on goals, outcomes, and performance metrics.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Arts Administration, or related field AND eight years experience in planning and implementing a comprehensive communication/marketing program for an organization, including five years of supervisory experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

10+ years experience in public relations, research, and/or nonprofit communication.

Significant experience and networks with the national organizations and individuals who influence U.S. education policy and action landscape.

Successful track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans and programs, including managing and motivating a team.

Strong messaging and storytelling skills, with the ability to synthesize and translate complex research language or strategy to gain broad appeal and generate action.

Demonstrated proficiency with communications technologies (e.g., CRM systems, search engine marketing, etc.), as well as familiarity with copywriting, graphic design, layout, publishing, and digital graphics production.

Demonstrated ability to bring attention and action to new ideas and research findings.

Organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize projects while working on a deadline or in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and collaboration skills; high standards for precision and accuracy.

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