Director of Communications & Community Engagement

University City School District•University City, MO

About The Position

The School District of University City seeks a dynamic team player to work as the Director of Communication and Community Engagement in a small, fast-paced, and highly creative Communications Office. The Director of Communications and Community Engagement will help lead our efforts in telling the story of the School District of University City through internal and external platforms, events, and relationships. Examples include, but are not limited to, the creation of excellent internal and external communication materials, news publications, marketing materials, strong media contacts, successful community engagement activities, and numerous special events in a diverse school district with a progressive mindset. The intent of this job description is to provide a representation description of the types of duties and responsibilities required for this position. Employees may be asked to perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related field; advanced degree preferred
Experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or other related settings.
Public education-setting experience preferred, but not required
Experience supervising a team
Knowledge of the educational landscape in St. Louis, especially the state’s accreditation system, MSIP (Missouri School Improvement Program)
Exceptional and demonstrated customer service and people skills
Ability to work some evenings and weekends at District events
Demonstrated event planning and execution skills
Organized self-starter and multitasker with strong organizational skills
Ability to strategically work with a diverse set of stakeholders ranging from elected officials to school administrators to families
Strong technology skills and eagerness to learn and effectively utilize a variety of platforms relevant to school communications, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, School Messenger, Blackboard, Finalsite, Adobe Suite, Canva and other systems
Self-starter with an ability to juggle assignments while working with multiple departments and schools
Commitment to equity, inclusion and student voice
Ability to work comfortably with numerous stakeholders and leaders using strong interpersonal skills and confidentiality
Excellent writing, editing, and copy-editing skills, including social media skills
Knowledge and utilization of AP Style and standards
Candidates must provide three to five samples of their writing and design work for consideration. Samples should demonstrate a variety of capabilities and could include publicity campaigns, news articles, social media posts, graphic design, reports, etc.
Sufficient vision to read printed material, see distant objects with clarity, and identify and distinguish objects
Sufficient hearing to hear conversations in person and on the telephone, and hear sounds clearly up to 30 feet
Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone, and in addressing groups
Ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
This position requires standing, walking, sitting, bending and reaching for extended periods of time
Sufficient manual dexterity and/or mobility to grasp and/or manipulate objects, operate mechanical equipment, and move about the work area
This position will subject the employee to work environments that have exposure to weather or interiors with extremes of heat and/or cold, wet and/or humid conditions, high noise levels, and various work related hazards

Nice To Haves

advanced degree preferred
Public education-setting experience preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

Meet bi-weekly with building leaders (or their designee) to develop relationships and to maintain a pulse on the District to gather facts and unique news stories from each school, resulting in the production of story pitches, press releases, news briefs, and occasional stories for both the website and the District’s print magazine PRIDE.
Manage and maintain content migration, content updates, and continued content upgrades for the District’s website in keeping with District branding and design standards, including production of written content.
Ensure social media updates to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media accounts; maintain social media master planning calendar; collect and report monthly analytics.
Lead communications activities for the district strategic plan
Oversee a variety of internal and external calendars regarding school and district events.
Facilitate taking photos and adjust as needed in Photoshop or other publishing programs.
Manage the daily organization and archiving of digital photos.
Lead the design and produce fliers and social media graphics in basic design programs.
Facilitate print vendors on special projects/products.
Ensure office and clerical work that includes monitoring office phones and email accounts, maintaining spreadsheets, managing event registrations and follow-up. correspondence, printing jobs, vendor contracts, requisitions and billing.
Coordinate and lead event planning as necessary.
Maintain the highest standards of email and phone etiquette and response.
Support special projects and partnerships as assigned by the Superintendent or District Chief of Staff.
Coordinate School Board Meetings in terms of video; recognitions; other communications needs.
Lead the District’s legislative advocacy strategy and efforts.
Serve as the liaison for One UCity, UCEF (University City Education Foundation).