Director of Strategic Communications and Governmental Affairs - Educational Services Center

Cherry Creek School District

$95K — $115K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in public relations or similar field.
  • Five years of professional experience in communications.
  • Intermediate organizational and presentation skills.
  • Advanced verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Experience in governmental/legislative affairs or strategic communications preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement a strategic communications plan for the CCSD bond program.
  • Direct state and federal legislative strategy to advocate for K-12 students.
  • Build coalitions and manage grassroots advocacy efforts.
  • Strengthen relationships with business and community leaders.
  • Identify visibility opportunities for the Superintendent and Board of Education.
  • Support crisis communications through mass communication platforms.
  • Lead communications efforts for future capital bond or budget campaigns.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Retirement savings plan options.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Flexible work environment.
  • Supportive team culture focused on educational improvement.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Title: Director of Strategic Communications and Governmental Affairs

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Classification Group: Administrator

Supervising Position: Chief Communications Officer

Pay Plan: Administrator

Pay Range: Range 09

Last Updated: 8/2026

Pay Information

Benefits Information

JOB SUMMARY: Support and execute a comprehensive strategy to inform, educate and engage the community about the Cherry Creek School District bond program. Work with District leaders and partners to advance and achieve CCSD's governmental affairs objectives in support of students. Serve as a member of the Administration Council (AdCo).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The subsequent duties outline the fundamental operations of the position and exemplify the nature of the tasks carried out. They do not encompass a comprehensive inventory of the obligations and responsibilities fulfilled in this role. The approximation of frequencies and time allocation percentages are flexible and subject to the requirements of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Task Descriptions Frequency Percentage of Time 1. Design and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan to inform and engage a broad range of stakeholders about the CCSD bond program. Create content, write updates, and coordinate information campaigns about bond progress and completed projects. Daily 25% 2. Help direct state and federal legislative strategy to ensure strong advocacy for CCSD positions and positive outcomes for all K-12 students in Colorado. Manage legislative relationship and implement reactive and proactive advocacy efforts. Engage with media on these issues. Daily 15% 3. Build coalition and grassroots advocacy efforts in pursuit of legislative objectives. Track relevant legislation and activities at the local, state and federal level that impacts the district on an ongoing basis. Serve as liaison between city and county public officials and maintain consistent communication about district activities. Daily 15% 4. Strengthen positive relationships with the surrounding business community, service and civic organizations, parent engagement groups, and school community leaders across the CCSD community. Identify stakeholder opportunities and successfully implement timely interviews, op-eds, or letters to the editor to engage district champions and demonstrate third-party support for the district. Weekly 10% 5. Identify and execute visibility and thought leadership opportunities for the Superintendent and Board of Education within the CCSD community and K-12 education in Colorado. Support Superintendent in providing regular updates to community organizations and stakeholders. Weekly 10% 6. Provide support for Crisis Communications including sending messages through the district's mass communication platform. Weekly 10% 7. Help lead communications and community relations efforts on future capital bond or budget campaigns. Monthly 10% 8. Perform other duties as assigned or requested. Daily 5% TOTAL 5%

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The minimum prerequisites of formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other criteria that a candidate must fulfill to be considered for a position. It is essential that certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, and trainings are fulfilled, valid, and not expired.
  • Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
  • Bachelor's degree in public relations or similar field
  • Five (5) years of professional work experience in communications
  • Basic knowledge of typical office equipment such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, email, etc.
  • Intermediate organizational skills
  • Intermediate presentation skills in a variety of settings
  • Intermediate team development skills
  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills
  • Advanced problem-solving skills
  • Advanced interpersonal relations and teamwork skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others
  • Ability to adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and meet deadlines
  • Ability to use judgment and make sound decisions
  • Ability to stay abreast of education trends in public school districts
  • Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with parents/guardians and community members to resolve educational concerns
  • Ability to apply inclusive and equitable leadership practices and related expectations within a comprehensive goal and supervision plan
  • Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment, and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator
  • Ability to promote and follow the Board of Education policies, District policies, and building and department procedures, protocols, and guidelines

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: The physical demands, mental functions, cognitive capacities, and work environment factors required to perform a position's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Sedentary work strength level (lifting or carrying up to ten pounds)
  • Primarily works indoors
  • Typically a quiet noise level
  • Work location is subject to change to meet the requirements of the organization
  • Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement
  • Occasional bending and reaching
  • Occasional standing and walking
  • Occasional lifting, pulling, and pushing
  • Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard
  • Repetitive motions
  • Close, distance, color, and peripheral vision
  • Visual concentration, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
  • Eye/hand coordination
  • Speaking and hearing
  • Concentrated reading/writing/mathematics
  • Mental acuity to synthesize and analyze various datasets
  • May occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions when traveling to various District sites
  • Normal office environment
  • Normal school district environment

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other qualifications relevant to the position that are strongly preferred but not mandatory for a candidate to be considered.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in governmental/legislative affairs, public relations, strategic communications, or related field
  • Minimum of three years of experience in media relations
  • Strong writing skills
  • Experience with social media content creation and posting
  • Experience working in the public sector
  • Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement

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