Title: Director of Communications
Reports to: Deputy Superintendent of Administration, Boston Public Schools
Department: Communications

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Director of Communications is responsible for strategic oversight and management of internal and external communications for the Boston Public Schools (BPS), to ensure that BPS families, students, staff, partners, and other constituents are informed about and engaged in district priorities, policies, practices, challenges, and opportunities.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and implement short- and long-range communications strategies for improving public understanding of the Boston Public Schools' efforts to improve academic achievement among all students.
2. Assess and respond to the information needs of internal and external customers of the BPS.
3. Coordinate editing and production of clear and concise publications and other means (e.g., letters, columns, videos, fact sheets, fliers) of communicating the system's goals and priorities to various BPS stakeholders, including school-based and central staff, parents, students, community and business leaders.
4. Establish and maintain positive media relations (print and electronic, local, national and industry outlets) through sustained professional contact that is consistently helpful, open and credible.
5. Provide supervision and support the Communications staff in researching, coordinating and responding to daily media inquiries regarding school-based and district matters. Brief the Superintendent and Superintendent's Executive Cabinet, School Committee, Mayor's Office staff and other relevant school leaders on an ongoing basis.
6. Collaborate with Communications staff to plan and implement positive, proactive media strategies (e.g., press conferences, media briefings, press releases, interviews) that anticipate the informational and other needs of BPS constituents and the media.
7. Supervise production of video content for BPS-TV, online and local cable television broadcasts about the Boston Public Schools, including airing of School Committee meetings, news conferences, school-based activities, and other content.
8. Oversee content on the district's external website and other online resources (e.g., BPS blog, MyBPS, YouTube, facebook page) to ensure accuracy and consistency of information.
   Provide training and technical support to schools and BPS central staff about communication with media, families and school communities, including crisis communications during emergency situations.
9. Serve as BPS liaison/advocate to government, business and other agency partners in planning and organizing inter-agency media events/strategies to promote accurate public understanding of the BPS.
10. Support and build the capacity of schools to inform neighborhood community organizations and media outlets of activities, accomplishments and challenges in their school communities.
11. Supervise and guide communications staff to deliver services effectively.
12. Perform other related duties as requested by the Superintendent and/or Deputy Superintendent.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications or a related field
• 7 years experience in the public relations/communications field at varied levels and with increasing responsibility or 7 plus years experience in print and/or electronic journalism
• Ability to guide a small group of professional employees with specific and varied areas of expertise
• Demonstrated ability to advise and negotiate comfortably with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Ability to advocate with other government agencies on behalf of the district
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and work in high-pressure, fast-pace environment
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, especially in communicating complex policies and practices to varied audiences
• Advanced skills in communicating with the media

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with urban education issues
• Understanding of community relations, preferably in the city of Boston
• Experience producing publications, such as flyers, newsletters, reports, etc.
• Skills in graphic design and desktop publishing
• Working knowledge of web communication, including content management systems and social media

TERMS: Managerial, 12 months, Tier E. This position subject to the City of Boston residency requirement.

Please refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohc (under "Employee Benefits and Policies") for more information on salary and compensation. Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade/Step.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.