Director of Communications & Marketing - Caddo Parish School District

Caddo Parish Schools Job Description

Job Title: Director of Communications & Marketing

Grade: D

Prepared By: Dr. Theodis Lamar Goree

Prepared Date: August 8, 2022

Approved By: Dr. Theodis Lamar Goree

Approved Date: August 8, 2022

SUMMARY

Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and coordination of a comprehensive program of communications and marketing for the district. Provide positive public relations between the school district and the community. Prepare and provide information to the public about the school district's activities, goals, and policies. Distribute pertinent information about the district and its activities to employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Disseminates accurate school system information promptly.
• Creates and implements a marketing plan for the district.
• Assists the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives as the primary public information liaison between the school system and the community.
• Creates videos and content which emphasize storytelling and elevates the district brand.
• Directs and manages the district’s public information activities in alignment with Caddo’s strategic plan.
• Attends school board meetings, as well as local events, as a representative of the district.
• Oversees development, maintenance, and updating of the district website and social media pages.
• Maintain district-wide activity calendar including events taking place at schools and sites.
• Develops and writes stories for the district’s website and magazine in accordance with Associated Press Style.
• Seeks out collaborative means of a partnership with community stakeholder groups.
• Assists schools and departments in promotional and informational activities.
• Prepares press releases and publishes articles and photos in local media and other publications.
• Helps school personnel publicize and promote any performances, exhibitions, displays, or special programs for special events and other publications.
• Oversees and edits the design and creation of district publications including newsletters, recruitment brochures, programs for special events, and other publications.
• Aware of issues of importance facing public education, and specifically Caddo Parish School Board, to accurately disseminate information.
• Serves as the primary contact for emergency notifications including school closures, early dismissals and other urgent messages.
• Ensures that public information activities contribute to the attainment of district goals and objectives.
• Keeps informed of developing communication trends and techniques.
• Demonstrates awareness of district-community needs and initiates activities to meet those needs.
• Carries forward PR strategies for promoting district programs through a variety of communication tools.
• Builds, maintains and executes district marketing programs including but not limited to initiatives such as student enrollment, Human Resources recruitment and retention, and overall school system highlights.
• Supervises Communications Department staff as well as outside vendors to promote, elevate, and effectively execute the vision of the district brand.
• Oversees news releases and public service announcements.
• Works with local, state, and national media outlets requesting information and interviews.
• Announces emergency weather procedures for schools and district sites.
• Seeks and secures potential sponsors for districtwide annual events.
• Continually develops district brand profile and builds comprehensive branding program.
• Develops various marketing tools and promotional collateral for internal and external distribution to celebrate and communicate the district's strengths.
• Empowers every district employee to provide customers with an amazing experience through establishing customer service standards, training, and accountability measures.
• Assists campuses and departments in the creation and execution of promotional materials.
• Complies with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rules, and local board policy.
• Manages social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and delivers relevant content to the sites on a consistent, timely basis.
• Monitors and respond to social users to increase engagement as deemed appropriate while maintaining the district brand.
• Monitors trends in social media tools, applications, designs, and strategies to implement the best strategies.
• Coordinates recognitions and presentations for Board meetings.
• Maintains fiscal budget for the department.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned projects.
• Represents, as assigned, the district at community and district meetings and functions.
• Brings recommendations to the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives on collaborative means of partnering with various organizations.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and/or the Superintendent.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Extensive knowledge of modern principles and practices of public relations; considerable knowledge of media, such as press, radio, and television; extensive knowledge of writing, editing, and printing techniques required to prepare annual reports and related documents; considerable knowledge of the techniques of photography; demonstrated ability to speak effectively before civic and other public groups; ability to direct teams in planning and implementing special events; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the media and other groups; good professional judgment.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, education, or a closely related field and five (5) years experience in education public relations, press, radio or television news media; or any equivalent combination of experiences and training which provides for required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

               SKILLS REQUIRED

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, government regulations, and legal documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from the community, regulatory agencies, or business community members. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to write reports, memos, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, superintendent, school board, news media, and the public.

               REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and extract data. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee tasks to completion; to work tactfully and harmoniously with staff, schools, students, agencies, parents, and/or the public; to hold records, reports, and conversations in confidence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical stamina and emotional stability to work effectively under pressure and to keep all aspects of the job under control. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use their hands to handle controls.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to” neglect of duty, dishonesty, and engagement in acts that are contrary to CPSB policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system.

CHAIN OF SUPERVISION

Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

260 days