Strategic Communications Lead

Job Title: Strategic Communications Lead
Supervisor: Director of Community Engagement Communications & Partnerships
FLSA Status: Exempt
Days: 260

Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of Community Engagement Communications & Partnerships the Strategic Communications Lead is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications plans producing content managing digital and print communications and supporting internal and external engagement initiatives. The Lead ensures the dissemination of consistent accurate and timely information across multiple channels and contributes to promoting the shared vision of the Medford School District. This position works in close collaboration with the Superintendent Director of Community Engagement Communications & Partnerships Human Resources and other executive leaders and is entrusted with highly sensitive and confidential information including communications related to collective bargaining personnel matters and district-level strategy. The Strategic Communications Lead provides expert guidance on communications strategies evaluates the effectiveness of messaging campaigns and supports crisis emergency and labor-relations communications as needed.

Essential Duties and Organizational Responsibilities:

Develop and implement internal and external communication plans aligned with district goals.
Ensure consistent and cohesive messaging across all district communications.
Plan create and execute communication products for initiatives programs events campaigns and community outreach.
Produce and manage content for print digital and multimedia platforms including press releases newsletters web content social media videos and graphics.
Evaluate communications strategies using analytics feedback and other assessment tools; recommend improvements to messaging technology and outreach methods.
Serve as a subject matter expert in strategic communications for district programs and initiatives.
Support crisis and emergency communications including drafting alerts talking points and messages for families and staff.
Create content for district leadership including letters presentations speeches and public-facing materials.
Coordinate translation and accessibility of key messages to reach diverse multi-lingual populations.
Monitor media coverage educational trends and public sentiment to inform communications strategy.
Build and maintain relationships with media public agencies community partners and stakeholders.
Assist with the planning and execution of district-wide events board meetingstown halls and media activities.
Respond to public inquiries and provide guidance to support staff on communications matters.
Collaborate with the Superintendent Human Resources and the district bargaining team to develop communication strategies that support collective bargaining and labor-relations objectives.
Draft and manage confidential talking points FAQs and other internal communications related to labor negotiations personnel matters and board-level strategy.
Prepare communication materials that explain bargaining processes timelines and outcomes for internal and external audiences in alignment with district strategy.
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive information including but not limited to bargaining strategy management proposals executive-level deliberations and personnel matters.
Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the Superintendent and Director of Communications and Community & Family Engagement on issues related to labor relations negotiations and other sensitive matters.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
All Medford School District employees are responsible for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment.
Not responsible for direct supervision but may help train and support the growth of new team members hired into the Communication Support Specialist role.

Qualifications: An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelors degree and experience in communications public relations or related fields. Experience in a strategic communications role supporting executives or senior leadership as well as experience in K12 public education and/or labor-relations or collective bargaining communications is preferred. Expertise in content creation for digital social and print media. Knowledge of media relations crisis communications and community engagement strategies.

Certificates Licenses Registrations: Certifications in communications or public relations preferred but not required. A valid Oregon Drivers License is required.

Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact appropriately with teachers staff members of the community school board members and others including vendors law enforcement and other agencies and students. Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing fluently in English. Preference may be given to applicants fluent in English and Spanish. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from students parents regulatory agencies or community members. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and business correspondence.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add subtract multiply and divide into all units of measure using whole numbers common fractions and decimals.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to understand apply and interpret instructions furnished in written oral or diagram form. Ability to plan prioritize and execute complex communication projects.

Computer Skills: General knowledge of computer usage and ability to use database software internet software e-mail order processing software spreadsheets and word processing software. Proficiency with communication software web platforms and analytics tools.

Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders including executive leadership school-based staff and community partners.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must often stand stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision the ability to adjust focus and peripheral vision. Must speak clearly enough to be understood by others and understand the speech of another personemotional stability to work effectively under pressure and control all aspects of the job. Ability to travel between district locations and to off-site events as needed.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here represent those employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. The employee must handle interruptions and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment. The employee may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and employees may be subject to temperature fluctuations fumes odors and dust. Schedule may vary to respond to district communications needs including evenings or weekends for events board meetings or emergency and labor-relations communications.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Medford School District 549C is an Equal Opportunity Employer and in accordance with Federal and State legislation including Title IX title VIII ORS 659.150 does not discriminate on the basis of race color sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status religion national origin age or disability in employment or educational programs.

Medford School District 549C is an equal opportunity employer and provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225 408.230 and 408.235.

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference by submitting as verification of eligibility a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or a letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension to your application by the closing date. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs unless the information is included on the DD Form 214/215.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities skills duties requirements efforts functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) whenever it deems advisable.