Chief of Communications (SY26-27)

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) is searching for a dynamic communications leader with a strong background in media relations/public relations to serve as Chief of Communications. Reporting to the Chief of Staff the Chief of Communications is responsible for strategic development oversight and management of internal and external communications for the district and 104 schools. The Chief of Communications serves as the primary communications advisor and counsel to the Superintendent the School Committee and the Executive Team. The Chief of Communications will serve as the owner of all BPS communications in order to promote and protect the districts reputation respond to requests from media outlets support schools with rapid response and crisis communications and promote a positive narrative about the district. The Chief of Communication is part of the Executive Team and will play a key role in aligning the districts strategic goals and priorities through strategic messaging. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain confidentiality and exhibit discretion and professionalism in all activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Communications: Develop and implement short- and long-range communications strategies for improving public understanding of the Boston Public Schools efforts to improve academic achievement among all students. Advise district leadership about methods for effective articulation of policy response to crises and district actions.

Media Relations: Serve as a spokesperson and primary surrogate for the Superintendent and will lead internal activities such as building and managing internal communication hubs. Establish and maintain positive media relations (print and electronic local national and industry outlets) through sustained professional contact that is consistently helpful open and credible. Provide supervision and support the Communications staff in researching coordinating and responding to daily media inquiries regarding school-based and district matters. Brief the Superintendent and Superintendents Executive Cabinet School Committee Mayors Office staff and other relevant school leaders on an ongoing basis.

Multimedia Content Production: Lead the editorial direction and development of the multimedia content production teams calendar and ensure pitches are reviewed and assigned strategically. Review and prioritize alignment of team resources to maximize outputs that strengthen people-driven narrative across nontraditional media channels. Establish a strategy to build on direct interaction with audiences including students families staff and community members as well as other key internal and external stakeholders.

Internal Communications and Publications: Champion the organizations culture and mission and lead the development and deployment of expertly engineered communications both internal and external culture values and beliefs. Work to ensure these beliefs are visible and consistent across all channels as well as internally amongst employees. Work cross-functionally to ensure all publications (e.g. letters columns videos fact sheets fliers) are clear and concise in communicating the systems goals and priorities to various BPS stakeholders including school-based and central staff parents students community and business leaders. Utilize publications and platforms to build opportunities to message

Social Media and Website Management: Oversee content on the districts external and internal website and other online resources (e.g. BPS website and blog Instagram LinkedIn YouTube and Facebook page) to ensure accuracy and consistency of information.

Rapid Response and Crisis Communications: Support school administration teams through emergency and incident messaging.

Team Management: With the support of the Deputy Chief of Communications direct the day-to-day activities of the communications staff to maintain an effective and cohesive message strategy across issues and crisis management capabilities public relations media relations internal communications content strategy digital and social media. Manage a team of approximately 10 members with three direct reports.

Perform other related duties as requested by the Superintendent and/or Chief of Staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree in Journalism Communications or a related field
• 7-10 years of experience in public relations/media relations/strategic communications including senior-level communications management
• Experience managing professional employees with specific and varied areas of expertise
• Demonstrated ability to advise and negotiate comfortably with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Advanced skills in communicating with the media preferably in Boston
• Ability to advocate with other government agencies on behalf of the district
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and work in a high-pressure fast-paced environment
• Excellent writing editing and verbal communication skills especially in communicating complex policies and practices to varied audiences

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with urban education issues
• Understanding of community relations preferably in the city of Boston
• Experience producing publications such as flyers newsletters reports etc.
• Skills in graphic design and desktop publishing
• Working knowledge of web communication including content management systems and social media

Terms: Managerial F101.

The Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate in its programs facilities or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race color age criminal record (inquiries only) disability homelessness sex/gender gender identity religion national origin ancestry sexual orientation genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Required Experience:

Chief