Director of Communications

Allentown School District; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 105,750 - 148,050; Full time

Job summary

Allentown School District is seeking a seasoned communications professional to plan, coordinate, implement, and assess district-wide information, community relations, customer service, marketing, and web development. The role also provides strategic support to the Superintendent and senior managers on media relations and public information matters.

The position develops the district's image through collaboration with all departments, schools, and senior leadership, ensuring timely dissemination

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Business or related field; Masters’ Degree preferred.
• Three (3) to five (5) years progressive experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Business or related field.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Spanish fluency preferred.
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Satisfactory work record & criminal/child abuse clearances (Acts 34, 114, and 151).
• Such additional or alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board or Superintendent may determine appropriate and acceptable

Responsibilities

• Directs and develops a quality public affairs and communications program
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with district administrators, press and news media organizations, business leaders, community groups, city officials, and the general public
• Communicates with all levels of district staff, officials, members of the media, and the general public, both verbally and in writing
• Collaborates closely with building administration to communicate publicly events and functions occurring in the school setting
• Serve as crisis communicator for the District and coordinates emergency communications for buildings when applicable
• Trains staff in effective communication strategies and use of approved district platforms.
• Serves as main information source for all media contacts requesting data and insights
• Establishes processes to generate appropriate flow of press releases
• Arranges, facilitates, and manages media briefings with Superintendent daily, if appropriate
• Collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team in the development and/or revision to Board policies relating to all areas of communications, including but not limited to print, electronic, and social media communication
• Conducts research and prepares informational material which will enhance the District's image and public awareness of district operations and activities
• Compiles reports from a wide variety of sources and data
• Responds to citizen and media requests in a timely, professional manner
• Understands and follows district oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions
• Makes sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures
• Performs a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy, meeting time sensitive deadlines
• Establishes processes to generate appropriate flow of press releases
• Arranges, facilitates, and manages media briefings with Superintendent daily, if appropriate
• Collaborates with the Superintendent’s Cabinet in the development and/or revision to Board policies relating to all areas of communications, including but not limited to print, electronic, and social media communication
• Prepares and assures adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements relating to district communications
• Performs such other tasks and assumes other such responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Deputy Superintendent or Superintendent

Skills

Spanish fluency

Excellent written and oral comms

PA Driver's License

Education

Bachelor's degree in PR/Marketing/Communications/Business or related field

Masters’ degree preferred

Job description

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Business or related field; Masters’ Degree preferred
• Three (3) to five (5) years progressive experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Business or related field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Spanish fluency preferred
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Satisfactory work record & criminal/child abuse clearances (Acts 34, 114, and 151).
• Such additional or alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board or Superintendent may determine appropriate and acceptable

Salary: $105,750-148,050

Note: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

The primary function of this position is to plan, coordinate, implement, and assess the activities relating to district wide public information, community relations, customer service, marketing, web page development, video production, and internal and external communications. This position also provides professional and sensitive assistance to the Superintendent and senior management staff on matters related to the dissemination of public information, management of issues, media relations, and community relations. In addition, the position further develops and shapes a comprehensive image of the Allentown School District, working closely with all of the district's departments and schools.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Directs and develops a quality public affairs and communications program
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with district administrators, press and news media organizations, business leaders, community groups, city officials, and the general public
• Communicates with all levels of district staff, officials, members of the media, and the general public, both verbally and in writing
• Collaborates closely with building administration to communicate publicly events and functions occurring in the school setting
• Serve as crisis communicator for the District and coordinates emergency communications for buildings when applicable
• Trains staff in effective communication strategies and use of approved district platforms.
• Serves as main information source for all media contacts requesting data and insights
• Establishes processes to generate appropriate flow of press releases
• Arranges, facilitates, and manages media briefings with Superintendent daily, if appropriate
• Collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team in the development and/or revision to Board policies relating to all areas of communications, including but not limited to print, electronic, and social media communication
• Conducts research and prepares informational material which will enhance the District's image and public awareness of district operations and activities
• Compiles reports from a wide variety of sources and data
• Responds to citizen and media requests in a timely, professional manner
• Understands and follows district oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions
• Makes sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures
• Performs a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy, meeting time sensitive deadlines
• Establishes processes to generate appropriate flow of press releases
• Arranges, facilitates, and manages media briefings with Superintendent daily, if appropriate
• Collaborates with the Superintendent’s Cabinet in the development and/or revision to Board policies relating to all areas of communications, including but not limited to print, electronic, and social media communication
• Prepares and assures adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements relating to district communications
• Performs such other tasks and assumes other such responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Deputy Superintendent or Superintendent