COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Special School District seeks a Communications Director to develop and implement comprehensive communications and marketing strategies for the agency. The role requires strategic thinking, strong writing, and collaboration with the Superintendent and Executive Leadership Team.

You will manage brand positioning, media relations, and multi-channel campaigns to raise awareness, attract inquiries and enrollment, and support district goals for Deaf and Visually Impaired schools.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field.
• 3+ years of professional level work experience in communications, public relations, marketing or related industry.
• Working knowledge of basic and advanced web-based technologies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and operating systems.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Familiarity with new and emerging media and their marketing use.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of comprehensive communications and marketing strategies.
• Act as brand evangelizer and manage public relations campaigns and crisis communication plans.
• Counsel agency leadership and coordinate with executive staff and media liaisons across the state.
• Develop and integrate marketing plans including digital and print collateral, paid and organic social media.
• Maintain online presence and analyze digital metrics to meet audience goals.
• Collaborate with school personnel to communicate SSD programs effectively.

Skills

Strong writing and communication

Media familiarity

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Cloud

Web-based technologies

Job description

LOUISIANA SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities. The Louisiana Special School District (SSD) is a stand‑alone education service agency that includes the Louisiana Special Schools (Louisiana School for the Deaf and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired) and Special School Programs. The SSD provides educational services to students with low incidence.

About This Job

Position #50692177

This is an Unclassified - Exempt Position

This position will be located at the SSD Administration

There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment.

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Human Resources Director.

Physical Activity Level: The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field from an accredited college or university.
• At least three years of professional level work experience in communications, public relations, marketing or related industry. Applicants with recent work experience in the required area(s) are preferred.
• A working knowledge of basic and advanced web-based technologies.
• Proficiency in the features and components of Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office
• Proficiency in Professional Suites in a networked environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with new and emerging media and their marketing use.

Job Specification

The Communications Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and analyzing comprehensive communications and marketing strategies in order to strengthen awareness and understanding of the Louisiana Special School District. The incumbent must have the ability to think creatively, strategize thoughtfully, and work collaboratively. The role involves time and project management, as well as writing, design, and creative work. Both thought leader and implementer, the incumbent must keep an eye on the big picture while implementing tactics that build brand awareness, attract more qualified inquiries and applicants for enrollment, and encourage constituent loyalty in the form of retention and other strategies. The Communications Director reports to the Superintendent and sits on the Executive Leadership Team.

Job Duties And Other Information

• Leadership
• Act as brand evangelizer internally and externally. Develop and implement public relations/communication programs and plans for crisis situations for both ongoing and new programs within the agency or office
• Manage multiple projects under strict deadlines, balancing strategic and tactical plans.
• Counsel the agency’s leadership in all matters of communication. Conduct regular public relations campaigns with assistance of top-level executive and administrative staff and agency media liaisons across the state and/or serve as web and electronic commerce administrator for the SSD.
• Strategy Development, Planning and Reporting
• Develop and integrated marketing plan that includes internal and external communications, outbound and inbound marketing, online and printed collateral, paid and organic social media.
• Maintain and analyze digital metrics, such as website traffic, email open rates, and social media figures; liaise with agency staff to understand quantitative and qualitative goals.
• Understand key audiences including internal and external parent communities
• Ensure that communication/marketing are inclusive of special education rules and regulations and accommodations needed for deaf and visually impaired stakeholders
• Demonstrate a significant understanding of the independent landscape of the SSD and how to position and strengthen the SSD brand.
• Comply with District policies, state laws, school philosophy and programs.
• Relationship Management
• Maintain a strong relationship with the Superintendent and Executive Leadership Team.
• Work collaboratively with school personnel and administrators to underscore the merits of the school’s programs.
• Support the Superintendent as the primary chief-communicator and brand ambassador. This will also include being chief-communicator and brand ambassador for the special schools.
• Assist Superintendent to build relationships with parents and students to strengthen communication and foster community.
• Identify and pursue relationships with local press.
• Vet, hire and manage third-party agencies as necessary.
• Content Production
• Oversee the school’s design and production of all marketing materials, including print and online collateral, paid and social media.
• Maintain best-in-class online presence, including public-facing website and social media.
• Develop content for placement in all of the above; this includes writing text; photography, taking and editing video.
• Write articles to enhance Public Relations, like press releases and articles for placement in education publications.
• Plan and execute all advertising campaigns, including web, email, social media, and print.
• Design, prepare and distribute e-Newsletters for current and prospective families.

Benefits for unclassified employees are determined by the individual hiring authority.