Executive Director of Marketing & Communications; SY- Marketing & Communications

Executive Director of Marketing & Communications

The Executive Director of Marketing & Communications provides strategic leadership for district wide marketing, communications, media relations, brand management, digital communications, and crisis and issues response. The position serves as a senior communications advisor to the Chief of Staff and, as assigned, to the Superintendent and District leadership by translating District priorities into clear, timely, accurate, and audience-centered communication. The Executive Director leads integrated strategies that strengthen public trust, support student enrollment and retention, elevate student and staff stories, and ensure consistent, accessible, and culturally responsive communication.

The position builds and develops a high-performing Marketing & Communications team and directs the department's people, budget, systems, consultants, workflows, service standards, and performance measures.

Minimum

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, media, business, or a related field.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or another relevant professional certification preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, media, journalism, or a related field.
• Three years of successful supervisory or department leadership experience with responsibility for personnel, budgets, projects, and performance outcomes.
• Experience in public education, government, or another complex public-serving organization preferred.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep knowledge of integrated marketing and communications strategy, brand positioning, audience engagement, media relations, and crisis communications.
• Demonstrated ability to develop marketing campaigns that support enrollment, retention, program awareness, employee recruitment, or other organizational goals.
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and executive counsel skills, with the judgment to communicate effectively in sensitive or high-profile situations.
• Strong knowledge of digital communications, website governance, social media, content strategy, creative production, and communication analytics.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, accurate, accessible, and audience-appropriate messages.
• Knowledge of public education and the legal and ethical requirements affecting school district communications, including student privacy, public information, records retention, accessibility, copyright, and election-related communications.
• Strong leadership, project management, budgeting, vendor management, and personnel supervision skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop employees, provide timely and actionable feedback, delegate effectively, address performance concerns constructively, and hold self and others accountable for results.
• Ability to recognize and cultivate staff potential, create meaningful professional growth opportunities, and build department capacity and continuity.
• Ability to prioritize competing needs, establish service standards, manage high-volume work, and maintain sound judgment under pressure.
• Ability to build productive relationships with employees, families, media, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Major

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Develop and lead an annual, integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with the District strategic plan, Superintendent priorities, and major initiatives.
• Advise the Chief of Staff and District leaders on communication strategy, stakeholder impact, reputation considerations, message timing, and channel selection.
• Coordinate with the Chief of Staff on Superintendent, Board, and District leadership communications so that executive messaging and departmental execution remain aligned.
• Establish message frameworks, communication protocols, editorial priorities, campaign calendars, and clear service standards for the department.
• Monitor the media environment, community sentiment, stakeholder feedback, enrollment landscape, and emerging issues; recommend proactive communication and marketing responses.
• Lead communication planning for significant District initiatives and organizational change and represent the District with external stakeholders as assigned.
• Lead the District's brand strategy and governance, ensuring consistent positioning, visual identity, voice, and message quality across schools, departments, programs, and public-facing platforms.
• Develop audience-informed marketing strategies and integrated campaigns that support student enrollment and retention, District programs, employee recruitment, community awareness, and other identified priorities.
• Use audience research, performance data, and stakeholder insights to guide messages, creative approaches, communication channels, and campaign investments.
• Oversee creative services,…