Chief of External Relations
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE

Central Office

Job Number: 4600157306

Start Date:

Open Date: 05/23/2018

Closing Date:

Job Summary
Securing sufficient resources, achieving needed legislative reforms, meaningfully engaging with key stakeholders, building broad-based networks of support, and effectively communicating accomplishments and priorities are essential to the implementation of Action Plan 3.0 and improving the overall performance of The School District of Philadelphia.
Reporting to the Superintendent, the Chief of External Relations is charged with developing and implementing strategic communications, government relations, advocacy and community engagement programs to support the strategic priorities as outlined in Action Plan 3.0. The Chief of External Relations has the mission critical task of ensuring that key stakeholders understand, are interested in, and support the District's mission, vision, and priorities. The Chief of External Relations will set the vision and direction for the District's public engagement efforts and will manage the Office of Communications (external and internal communications) and the Office of Advocacy and External Engagement (advocacy, government relations, and community engagement) to effective execution of key priorities to support these efforts. Additionally, the Chief of External Affairs will create the strategy to develop and manage the execution of building one-on-one relationships with community, business, and civic leaders to call upon them for collaborative ventures; leveraging long-term and new relationships with elected officials to establish School District champions; and supporting the creation and expansion of partnerships with local non-profit and for-profit businesses and institutions to generate support for the School District. The Chief of External Relations is a critical member of the District?s executive leadership team.
Essential Functions

• Develops a strategy to integrate media relations/communications, government relations, and community engagement into a unified strategic public engagement program in support of the Superintendent's priorities.
• Develops and oversees the School District's comprehensive strategic communications program, including earned media, social media, and internal communications, with the goal of developing interest in and an understanding of the School District's mission, vision, and actions.
• Directs and coordinates the School District's legislative program, including developing a proactive legislative and regulatory strategy, responding to and influencing legislation impacting the School District, and advocating with state and local government and elected officials.
• Develops and leads a comprehensive strategic outreach program including identifying, recruiting, and mobilizing allies and surrogates; expanding and deepening community engagement; and building opportunities for information-sharing and collaboration.
• Works in close collaboration with and in support of other District offices that engage with the public, including the Family and Community Engagement Office, to ensure communications are coordinated, aligned, impactful and in support of the District?s strategic plan, Action Plan 3.0.
• Oversees and provides strategic direction for the Office of Advocacy and External Engagement and the Office of Communications.
• Identifies potential civic engagement and leadership opportunities to strategically position the School District as an influential community stakeholder on topics important to public education.
• Collaborates with the Office of Strategic Partnerships and the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia to develop relationships with individuals and organizations who provide financial, in-kind, or other resources to support School District initiatives.
• Advises the Superintendent and Cabinet members on communications strategy and external affairs issues.
• Represents the Superintendent and other District leadership during public presentations, speaking engagements, or other activities associated with District business, as requested; facilitate forums and other public meetings.
• Manages and supports the Superintendent's external engagements, including assessing the relative strategic importance of competing requests and developing a monthly external schedule to ensure the Superintendent's brand and external relationships strengthen.
• Manages targeted, high-priority strategic projects on behalf of the Superintendent.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with key stakeholders within and without the School District including leaders and organizations in the civic, religious, political, philanthropic, business, and non-profit sectors to create trust and solidify a strong foundation to advocate for School District priorities.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of full-time, paid legal, advocacy, legislative, communications, or consulting experience.

• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• principles and theories associated with current School District organizational initiatives.
• challenges in urban K-12 public education.
• political landscape and legislative process.
• principles, practices, and procedures underlying coordination of large-scale projects and initiatives.
• principles of effective communication, public relations writing, and editorial practices.
• supervisory techniques.
• techniques for establishing and maintaining effective community relations.

Demonstrated ability to:

• use persuasive skills to achieve strategic priorities.
• exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• assess the relative strategic importance of competing requests and priorities.
• work on multiple projects simultaneously, as evidenced by an ability to balance and prioritize multiple competing priorities.
• adapt to different situations, particularly when new information is provided.
• analyze complex problems and make sound decisions or recommendations to remedy problems.
• understand, interpret, and analyze a variety of data sources.
• identify and break down complex problems and develop strategies to address the identified issues based on evidence.
• lead and implement strategic initiatives.
• respond to sensitive issues with diplomacy.
• effectively supervise staff.
• communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of audiences.
• effectively supervise staff.
• build productive, collaborative relationships with external stakeholders, partners, elected officials, and community organizations.
• build and maintain strong, effective working relationships with colleagues across all levels of an organization.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Additional Job Information: This is a non-represented position. The salary grade for this role is 4037.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors including the ability to follow directions, punctuality and professional conduct will be considered in part of the evaluation process. The selected candidate must have no anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months, and have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness in the last three years (3) years with the exception of one extended long-term absence.