Head of Communications & PR

Amira Learning

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Head of Communications & PR owns how Amira’s story is told to educators, district and state leaders, policymakers, media, investors, and employees. The role will establish Amira as a trusted voice in reading growth, grounded in science, evidence, and innovative technologies. This is a senior, hands-on leadership position responsible for setting and executing the company’s communications strategy, managing day-to-day media relations, developing its research voice, and protecting its reputation amid scrutiny of student data, AI, and public funding. The role reports to the COO and works closely with marketing, research, product, success, and sales leadership. Responsibilities span communications strategy and narrative, media relations and PR, executive and thought leadership, crisis and reputation management, customer stories and community engagement, internal communications, and leadership of a small communications team and agency partners.

Requirements

10+ years in communications, PR, or journalism, including 3+ years leading communications for a company, agency practice, or mission-driven organization.
A track record of earning top-tier coverage in national business, technology, or education media, with established media relationships.
Experience building thought-leadership programs that improved a company’s reputation.
Hands-on crisis management experience, ideally involving sensitive topics such as data privacy, children, or public funding.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to draft press releases, op-eds, company-wide memos, and crisis statements.
Ability to make research and technical ideas accurate, simple, and compelling without overstating them.
Sound judgment, discretion, and comfort advising executive leadership directly.
A builder’s mindset and willingness to do the work while scaling a team and agency partners.
Genuine belief that every child should learn to read and curiosity about how AI can help.

Nice To Haves

Experience in K–12 education, edtech, literacy, or education policy, including knowledge of the Science of Reading movement.
Communications experience in AI or another emerging technology facing public debate.
Experience building an online community, ambassador, or advocacy program, ideally with teachers or other professional communities.
Relationships with state education agencies, legislators, or education coalitions.
Experience supporting a company through fundraising, M&A, or rapid growth.
Spanish fluency, or experience reaching bilingual and Spanish-speaking families and educators.
Familiarity with media monitoring, measurement, and social listening tools.

Responsibilities

Define and own Amira’s communications strategy, core narrative, and messaging architecture in alignment with company goals and brand.
Translate research and technical subjects—including the Science of Reading, AI, growth data, and efficacy studies—into clear, credible stories for non-technical audiences.
Set annual and quarterly communications plans with measurable goals and report results to internal stakeholders and external partners.
Support policy and government affairs communications for state agencies, legislators, and coalitions.
Build and maintain relationships with education, technology, business, and policy reporters at national, trade, and regional outlets.
Lead announcements about product launches, research findings, partnerships, state approvals, funding, and leadership news.
Pitch and place stories, op-eds, and features positioning Amira as a leader in AI for reading.
Manage PR agency partners, budget, and press materials; coordinate awards, speaking submissions, and the newsroom.
Build Amira’s public profile through bylines, podcasts, conference keynotes, and media interviews.
Prepare stakeholders for interviews, panels, and testimony with briefing documents and media training.
Shape Amira’s point of view on AI in education, literacy policy, and responsible AI.
Own crisis management, including issues involving student data privacy, AI safety and accuracy, and policy controversies.
Write and maintain crisis playbooks, holding statements, and approval workflows with legal, security, and policy teams.
Monitor media and social coverage and advise leadership on emerging risks.
Partner with marketing and sales to amplify district success stories, growth data, and educator voices.
Grow Amira’s Community Hub as a place for educators, coaches, and leaders to share practice, ask questions, and celebrate reading growth.
Equip Champions to share stories through case studies, webinars, social content, conference sessions, and media interviews.
Turn community insight into feedback for product, research, and marketing teams.
Set and regularly report goals for community growth, engagement, and advocacy.
Lead internal communications, including all-hands content, leadership messages, and change communications.
Lead a small, high-performing communications team and agency bench as the company grows.