Executive Director of Public Affairs
Frederick County Public School Executive Director of Public Affairs
Executive Director of Public Affairs.
Required Qualifications:
- Education, Training, Experience · Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, communications, public administration, marketing, public relations, or related field.
- Strong technology expertise.
- Five (5) years of progressive experience in public affairs, communications, public administration, marketing, public relations, or related field.
- Experience with a large research-oriented public or private sector organization.
- Experience in developing marketing plans and consumer metrics, with an ability to organize, interpret, and present such data in a concise, logical, and comprehensive manner.
- Experience in managing media relations for a large public or private sector organization.
- Experience in implementing and managing innovative, proactive communication products and tools, including those associated with social media and digital media.
- Experience in identifying, tracking, and addressing emerging educational trends, as well as managing reactive communications and issues.
- Experience in working in a collective bargaining environment.
Certification/ License · Valid driver’s license.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Professional knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques associated with public affairs, communications, public administration, marketing, public relations, or related field.
- Familiarity with local, state, and federal current and trending education issues.
- Management and organizational skills which demonstrate an ability to prioritize, work under time constraints, and demonstrate flexibility in an environment of multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
- Ability to handle confidential and highly sensitive information in a professional manner.
- Ability to build trust and maintain relationships.
- Advanced oral and written communications and human relations skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
- Ability to travel, as needed.
- Regular and predictable attendance.
- Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Preferred Qualifications: Education, Training, Experience
- Master’s degree in public affairs, communications, public administration, marketing, public relations, or related field.
- Ten (10)+ years of progressive experience in public affairs, communications, public administration, marketing, public relations, or related field.
- Experience as chief information or public affairs officer in a public school setting or related public relations and government affairs position.
Certification/License · Hold certification in public affairs, communications, public administration, marketing, public relations, or equivalent accreditation.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities · Bilingual skills. · Familiarity with the FCPS’ policies, goals and programs. Knowledge of the principles and practices associated with promoting public education.
Essential Functions: The Executive Director of Public Affairs is a Superintendent Cabinet-level position with the primary responsibility for the development, implementation, and facilitation of Frederick County Public Schools’ (FCPS) public affairs, communications, marketing, and public relations strategies and objectives.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Developing and maintaining a strategic division plan,
(2) serving as the advisor and lead on public affairs initiatives,
(3) monitoring and reporting on education legislation, policies, and trending issues,
(4) overseeing all external and internal communications,
(5) branding the FCPS in a manner which furthers its mission and vision,
(6) cultivating and maintaining productive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders,
(7) serving as the FCPS’ chief spokesperson,
(8) leading and managing a complex, fast-paced, and multi-dimensional division, and
(9) performing other duties consistent with the scope and nature of the position.
Reporting directly to the Superintendent of Schools, the Executive Director of Public Affairs performs, as a minimum, the following duties:
Public Affairs
- Collaborates with internal cross-functional stakeholders and external multi-organizational structures to support and promote the FCPS’ mission and vision, as well as public education in general.
- Develops and advances productive relationships with elected officials, governmental and non-governmental agencies, media, community organizations, and other key stakeholders.
- Creates, directs, monitors, and refines an integrated public relations, communications, marketing, and community engagement plan which has measurable outcomes, is mindful of internal and external audiences, and helps define the school system for internal and external stakeholders.
- Monitors and reports on local, state, and federal legislation, policies, and trending issues which impact or have the potential to impact the FCPS’ operations and interests.
- Advises on confidential, highly sensitive, and multi-dimensional public issues in order to appropriately position the school system with the media, community partners, and general public.
Communications
- Plans, develops, and facilitates comprehensive systemic communication strategies and programs.
- Directs the preparation of communication materials (e.g., news releases, fact sheets, brochures, articles, reports, advertisements, social media tools, etc.) for public consumption.
- Provides written material/speeches to Superintendent and designees, as needed.
- Initiates the use of broadcast, internet, intranet, and other mass media or emerging communication technologies that assist internal and external audiences with navigating the school system.
- Ensures that media communications support consistent information, messaging, consensus building, and community understanding of issues related to the FCPS.
- Anticipates potential systemic issues and develops proactive communication plans to effectively address situations.
Marketing
- Promotes and enhances the FCPS’ image by developing and maintaining its “brand,” quality control, and effectiveness.
- Enhances the visibility, stature, and presence of the school system and its employees in the community so as to support the positive image of the FCPS.
- Establishes and coordinates a marketing campaign that leverages the FCPS as an education leader in the state/nation.
- Seeks and sustains business partnership arrangements that promote the FCPS as a desired community partner.
- Participates in local school, community, and county government events to promote positive community relations.
Public Relations
- Cultivates and maintains strong collaborative relationships with the city and county leaders, area agencies and units of government, businesses, and the chamber of commerce.
- Oversees staff and services to keep the FCPS engaged with the media, community, and strategic partners.
- Serves as the FCPS’ chief spokesperson, as directed. · Serves as the FCPS’ representative on countywide and statewide public information committees.
- Proactively coordinates and conducts all news releases and media conferences.
- Facilitates communication with the media and provides on-site support at schools during crisis situations.
- Identifies opportunities for positive media coverage to reach key audiences, anticipates emerging issues and concerns, and develops appropriate communications.
- Consults with school-based and central office administrators, supervisors, and staff to obtain information on current events, activities, programs, and other topics of general interest to the public.
- Oversees outsourcing of print media for the FCPS.
- Collaborates with the Director of Technology Services to further the progress of communication technology and promote the quality of interchange necessary for internal and external audiences.
- Organizes and promotes special projects, events, and campaigns on behalf of the FCPS.
Leadership and Management
- Directs division staff, while providing guidance and oversight for the design and function of the Communication Services Division, including web services, graphic arts and media, and television production and programming.
- Supervises the research, preparation and publication or posting of a variety of documents for the FCPS (e.g. annual reports, letters to the editor, budget presentations, etc.).
- Assists in the organization/coordination of the Superintendent’s Cabinet-level initiatives, as directed.
- Provides systemic training on stakeholder service strategies that support the FCPS’ master plan goals and, at the same time, build and sustain a positive image.
- Solicits feedback from stakeholders regarding systemic initiatives and goals.
- Develops and maintains the division budget. Performs other duties as assigned by Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent.
Salary: Executive Leadership Pay Scale, Salary Range: $140,806 - $214,143.
Frederick County Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer. this job description has been written to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee holding this position. it is not written to include or be interpreted to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the employee. nothing in this description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities or add required qualifications at any time.