Communications Manager

SALARY: Support Exempt L

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The job of the Communications Manager is to plan and coordinate a variety of strategic community relations activities to promote the mission and vision of the Scottsdale Unified School District as well as supporting the district in all marketing and crisis communication functions.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

Serves as a liaison between district and news media by preparing and distributing news releases securing media coverage deploying proactive media relations strategies and serving as district spokesperson when needed.

Supports crisis communication and emergency response plans by updating materials conducting trainings and serving as liaison on communication to staff and the public.

Serves as information liaison between the district and community including responding to public inquiries and presenting relevant information related the districts current initiatives and strategic plan.

Provides ongoing training and assistance to staff on conducting media interviews utilizing social media in a professional setting and updating content on the website.

Determines how images can best represent the district with the community media and parents in promotional opportunities and provides direction to the districts graphic designer and social media specialist.

Plans coordinates and/or assists in a wide variety of special events and campaigns such as Kindergarten Recruitment Parada del Sol Charros and Foundation galas and job fairs.

Prepares and writes speeches presentations letters newsletters award nominations Governing Board recognitions and articles for internal and external audiences.

Oversees the content plan for the district magazine.

Research and monitors attitudes opinions and perceptions and reports to Communications and Marketing Director to help inform overall communications strategy.

Assists Communications and Marketing Director on special projects and issues as assigned including serving as Interim Communications and Marketing Director as needed.

May serve as a direct supervisor to Communications staff.

May be required to be oncall during evenings weekends or holidays based on the needs of the district.

Oversees established strategy for public facing messages updating content as necessary.

Maintains confidentiality

Performs other duties as assigned.

SCOTTSDALE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITION: Communications Manager

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require):

Bachelors Degree in Journalism Communications Marketing or closely related field

Minimum (5) years experience in communications writing and editing public relations materials or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge skills and abilities have been achieved.

Previous supervisory experience is preferred.

Must possess or obtain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require):

None specified

SKILLS (position requirements at entry):

Knowledge of AP Stylebook (grammar punctuation and spelling)

Knowledge of modern and complex principles of public relations techniques and methods used in preparing news releases and publications.

Knowledge and ability to apply communications skills to build strong internal and external support for the district

Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely in conveying messages to a variety of audiences and possess listening and reading skills which facilitate understanding of messages conveyed by others

Ability to plan organize coordinate implement oversee and document special events media relations and publications.

Ability to successfully multitask.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require: stooping kneeling crouching reaching standing walking pushing pulling lifting finger dexterity grasping talking hearing seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Required Experience:

Manager