Job Description

Position: Director of Communications & Public Information

Cambridge, Massachusetts is a dynamic, diverse urban community with a strong commitment to investing in our public schools. Rich in racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity, the Cambridge Public Schools is committed to academic excellence and social justice, with rigorous, joyful and culturally responsive learning experiences for all students. From a financial, educational, community, and civic perspective, Cambridge is a well-resourced, supported, and strongly positioned urban public school district.

The Role:

The Cambridge Public Schools is currently seeking a committed, dynamic, professional, and skilled leader to join our district as its Director of Communications & Public Information. The Director of Communications & Public Information is responsible for strategic oversight and execution of internal and external communications for CPS. The individual will serve as the primary spokesperson for CPS and the Superintendent and as the primary communications advisor and counsel to CPS senior leadership and school leaders. The individual will be expected to maintain confidentiality and exhibit discretion and professionalism in all activities.

The Director of Communications & Public Information reports to the Superintendent of Schools.

Major responsibilities include:

* Serve as primary spokesperson for CPS and the Superintendent.

* Establish and maintain positive media relations, including with nontraditional media, and coordinate responses to media inquiries.

* Support CPS leaders, central office staff, and schools to utilize effective, inclusive, and culturally responsive communications practices.

* Develop and oversee content development for CPS website, publications (such as the annual Schools at a Glance publication), social media, and other communication platforms.

* Develop and implement short- and long-range communications strategies for improving staff, students, caregiver, and public understanding of CPS's values, mission, annual processes, initiatives, and other efforts.

* Collaborate proactively with central office and school staff to ensure consistent, relevant, timely, and high quality communication and content across CPS's websites, social media platforms, and other online resources.

* Assist in designing, implementing and overseeing CPS emergency communication plans and efforts.

* Oversee CPS's translations program, including through education of CPS staff and ongoing improvement of translations processes and capacity.

* In partnership with the family engagement team, execute public and community meetings and other activities to strengthen the relationship between CPS and the community, to engage community members in CPS efforts, and to provide all community members with relevant and timely information.

* In partnership with the Information, Communication, Technology Services (ICTS) department, implement and provide input into ways to improve CPS's communication infrastructure and portfolio of communication tools used by central office and schools staff.

* Work with city and community partners to support aligned communication with shared constituents.

* As part of continuous improvement efforts, use qualitative and quantitative data, including constituent input and feedback, to improve communication practices to better serve the community.

* Manage budget, expenditures, and vendor contracts.

* Supervise CPS's Community Relations Clerk and vendors engaged in communications.

* Perform other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Qualifications:

* Commitment to the stated mission and values of the Cambridge Public Schools, along with a commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive communication practices that prioritize historically marginalized groups.

* 7-10 years experience in a communications role in a school district, state education agency, or other educational context.

* Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, especially in learning and communicating complex policies and practices to varied audiences.

* Demonstrated experience communicating with the media.

* Strong knowledge of and experience with web content development, content management systems, and development of social media content campaigns.

* Ability to prioritize competing demands, work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, manage complex projects, and accomplish deadlines.

* Ability to think strategically and attend to details and accuracy.

* Demonstrated ability to collaborate professionally and effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.

* Excellent organizational, planning, customer service and interpersonal skills.

* A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.

* Ability to engage in extended work hours, including evenings and/or weekends for School Committee meetings and other public events.

* Undergraduate degree; master's degree preferred.

* Experience overseeing translations programs and services preferred.

Terms of Employment:

Salary: $139,358 - $153,825, plus competitive benefits package.

How to Join Our Team:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position as well as stating how you heard about this opportunity.

The Cambridge Public Schools is committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.

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