Deputy Chief: Communications and Spokesperson
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
440 N. BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130

Central Office

Job Number: 4600188444

Start Date:

Open Date: 09/19/2019

Closing Date: 11/12/2019

Are you a skilled communications strategist and operator with at least 10 years of experience, looking to be part of a dynamic team that champions K-12 public education? Do you get a thrill out of using your communications and media relations skills to help drive the local and national conversation about topics of strong public interest? Are you a collaborative and action-oriented team leader who has implemented strategic communications plans for cause-driven organizations? Then come be a part of The School District of Philadelphia's Communications and External Relations Team as its Deputy Chief of Communications and Spokesperson (DCCS). Help us champion the amazing work of one of the nation's largest K-12 School Districts and develop key messages, stories and engagement strategies that promote a positive narrative about the School District of Philadelphia and public education, especially in large urban areas.
Job Summary
The School District of Philadelphia seeks a strategic and highly skilled organizational leader to help advance the District's long-term goals and elevate its profile locally and nationally. Reporting to the Chief of Communications and External Relations, the Deputy Chief will help maximize the positive impact of the Communications and External Relations Team by proactively leading media relations and web management strategy . She/he will work collaboratively with a dynamic Communications and External Relations Team, including three direct reports, as well as senior leaders, principals, teachers and support staff to: develop, implement and assess media engagement strategies that expand positive and balanced news coverage of SDP news, information, initiatives, students and staff; further strengthen positive relationships with print, television, radio and digital media reporters; provide effective crisis communications support for schools; and help make important information on the District's website easy to understand and readily accessible for current and prospective families and community members
Essential Functions

• Coordinates and assists with developing the long-term communications vision and strategy for the School District of Philadelphia and the Communications and External Relations Team.
• Strategically leads the development and flawless execution of a biweekly (minimally) calendar of press events to support the School District of Philadelphia communications goals and strategies.
• Shapes the narrative for all media engagement efforts.
• Works with leaders across the organization to stay abreast of the latest programs, news and information to inform District messaging.
• Works closely with school principals and other senior leaders to provide timely support to schools in rapid-response situations.
• Oversees daily press outreach, including responding to media inquiries and Right to Know requests, writing and editing of press releases, statements and op-eds.
• Manages the day-to-day activities for and professional development of the senior communications officer, media relations specialist and web content manager.
• Builds and strengthens positive professional relationships with top local and national reporters, producers, correspondents and editors.
• Collaboratively establishes work priorities with web content manager to continually strengthen the user experience for families and community members when they are seeking information from and interfacing with the District's website.
• Helps develop and design media strategies that support the District's government relations goals and legislative agenda.
• Develops and conducts workshops to build organizational capacity in key areas including best practices for interviewing with media.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Eight years of full-time, paid, professional experience in K-12 school district communications, nonprofit public relations, broadcasting, journalism or a related field, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for designing and implementing strategic media engagement and communications plans with proven results.

OR

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Six years of full-time, paid, professional experience in K-12 school district communications, nonprofit public relations, broadcasting, journalism or a related field, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for designing and implementing strategic media engagement and communications plans with proven results.

• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.
• Preference for bilingual candidates fluent in Spanish.
• Preference for Master's degree.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Media relations, school public relations and journalism best practices, methods and techniques.
• Writing press releases, statements and op-eds.
• Creating messages on critical, high risk and sensitive topics for the executive-level.
• Developing cutting-edge communications strategies and plans proactively.
• Editorial principles and practices as they pertain to the preparation of informational materials.
• Media research methods.
• English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling.
• Techniques for establishing and maintaining effective community relations.
• Collaborative problem-solving methods.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Have a positive mindset and passion for K-12 public education.
• Prepare, produce, and disseminate public information.
• Establish a vision and gain alignment across departments and stakeholders.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, newsroom-like environment, juggling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Be an effective public speaker who can think quickly on his/her feet and thoughtfully respond to questions from diverse groups.
• Write and edit clear, concise, accurate, and effective informational materials and feature stories for public distribution.
• Lead and inspire a team, coach and mentor direct and indirect team members, lead courageous conversations, and proactively identify and resolve conflicts.
• Use social media, including but not limited to, Facebook© and Twitter.
• Act independently as a collaborative, action-oriented and solutions-minded thought leader.
• Build organizational vitality by leading senior leadership workshops on media relations, interviewing techniques and strategies.
• Translate complex and extensive information into easy-to-understand messaging for multiple and varied audiences.
• Use data to inform decision-making, assess, and improve practices.
• Use Microsoft Office products, Google Drive and other productivity tools effectively.
• Work after hours and on weekends as needed to provide time-sensitive support for schools and the District.
• Present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders in the organization and community.

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 12-month, non-represented role. The salary grade for this position is 4035.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview.

DISCLAIMER: Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors, including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, ability to follow directions, punctuality, and professional conduct will be considered in the evaluation process.

The selected candidate must have no pending disciplinary action or anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months. In addition, the candidate must 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 within this period of time with the exception of one extended long-term absence)