Bachelor's Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or public relations; Master’s preferred.
10+ years of direct communication experience, including crisis and public relations.
Proven ability to build relationships and engage stakeholders within a complex organization.
Highly creative thinker who can lead teams in developing innovative content and strategies.
Extensive media contacts and strong crisis management skills are essential.
Readiness to respond quickly outside normal business hours is required.
Experience collaborating with high-level administrators and managing sensitive information.
Ability to thrive under pressure and meet deadlines while embodying the district’s core values.
Responsibilities
Develop and manage strategic communications with media to enhance district branding.
Foster relationships with partners and volunteer networks to enrich student experiences.
Oversee multiple departments, ensuring cohesive communication strategies and messaging.
Lead crisis communication responses as the primary spokesperson for the district.
Establish a crisis response framework, coordinating message development and dissemination.
Coach staff on effective messaging during crisis situations and general communications.
Conceptualize and guide creative programs that promote the district's initiatives.
Develop press materials and coordinate media responses for district events and inquiries.
Benefits
Generous health and wellness programs.
Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
Supportive work environment fostering collaboration and creativity.
Flexible work arrangements, where applicable.
Full Job Description
Description
Develop and manage strategic communications with media and partners to generate student, staff, and district storytelling opportunities to align and enhance the district's overall brand among audiences.
Build, cultivate, and monitor strategic relations using public relations strategies that foster and increase engagement among district partners, volunteers, businesses, civic groups, and local and national media to improve the student experience and learning environments.
Oversee the district's Media Relations Department, Dallas Schools Television, Internal Communication, Call Center, Creative Services, and Translation Services to guide and ensure efforts, strategies, and messaging align with department goals.
Lead crisis communication strategies, serving as the 24-hour, on-call communications lead for developing appropriate responses that inform stakeholders groups and manage the district message, while serving as the primary district spokesperson designee.
Develop and implement a crisis response reporting framework to include fact gathering, message development and dissemination, and response review process for all campuses and departments.
Coach all principals, departments and other key staff to respond appropriately and manage the message through crisis situations and general story development that highlights the work of the district.
Conceptualize and guide the creative vision for specialized programs.
Develop, review and distribute talking points, press releases, and speeches for all schools and central staff, trustee notices, official statements, and media responses in collaboration with the news director for media events and inquiries.
Direct the development of collateral, such as news releases and videos produced by Dallas Schools TV, to guide the creative storytelling process to engage and inform all audiences.
Liaise with senior staff to manage and oversee multiple projects, various special events, including work distribution, timelines, and product delivery in a responsive manner.
Perform all other tasks and duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in communications, journalism, marketing or public relations; Master's degree preferred.
10+ years of direct experience in communications, including crisis, media, external, and/or public relations.
Demonstrated experience in managing communications with a proven ability to build relationships and engage internal and external stakeholder groups for a complex organization.
Highly creative and able to think outside the norm and lead team members to develop fresh content and strategies.
Must possess an extensive list of media contacts with strong crisis/issues management skills.
Ability to be available to mobilize and respond at a moment's notice outside of regular business day.
Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure in fast-paced environments
Experience working with high-level administrators, leadership teams, and handling information of a confidential and sensitive nature.
Proven ability to work well with others, demonstrating the district's Core 4 values, in deadline situations, and handle stressful situations.
An understanding of the commitment to the role and social responsibility of communications and public relations for an organization.
