POSITION: Chief Communications Officer

LOCATION: Centrally-Based

PAY: Administrator Salary Schedule 

($100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year)

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 Months

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

JOB GOAL: To ensure effective and efficient communication to all audiences of the Johnston County Public School System.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, technology, graphic arts, or some related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in a communications-related position.
• Ability to function independently with minimal oversight.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage internal and external communications for the district.
• Contribute to the development of district and school communication strategies.
• Provide leadership for communications project management.
• Supervise and evaluate communications
• Coordinate school and district website design.
• Oversee development and maintenance of website content for district and school system departments.
• Oversee management and implementation of district and school-based social media accounts.
• Develop and delegate production of school and district news releases.
• Oversee coordination of Printing Services and design of publications and brochures (print and digital) for the school system.
• Create and make provisions for web platforms, software platforms, and parent communication training outlets (including but not limited to websites, School Mobile Apps with blog, calendar, and assignment features).
• Assist with the planning and implementation of school system special events, including those on weekends, evenings and holidays.
• Develop customer service plan of work, to include professional development for administrators responsible for school-based and department-based communications.
• Participate, contribute, and engage as a contributing member of the communications team.
• Establish relationships with community leaders and other key contacts who can help promote the school system through word of mouth or by providing positive coverage in the media.
• Coordinate activities with other departments within the organization to ensure that they align with the district’s overall message.
• Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively respond to emergency situations, ensure target audiences are reached through appropriate venues, and inform the media.
• Serve as the spokesperson for the Johnston County Public Schools through all appropriate channels, including community outreach , broadcast media, the Internet, and social networks such as the use of X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Podcasts, and other next-generation communication channels.
• Direct the writing and editing of speeches, scripts, articles, reports, proclamations, resolutions, and correspondence for the Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent of schools.
• Manage media relations: working with media for the purpose of informing the public of the school system/s mission, policies, and practices in a positive, consistent, and credible manner; coordinating directly with persons responsible for producing the news and features in the mass media; building the critical and necessary organizational relationships with members of the press and media; providing strategic marketing and communications counsel for district leadership; ensuring that potential public relations, concerns, and issues are identified and addressed.
• Develop and prepare the annual preliminary budget for communication, media relations, and marketing; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures.
• Provide and implement consistent communication strategies to support multicultural outreach to diverse district communities and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and direct the writing, design, production, and/or distribution of publicity brochures, newsletters, booklets, flyers, agendas, invitations, and multimedia programs.
• Provide proactive and strategic media relations, marketing, and communications counsel for District leadership, ensuring that potential public relations, concerns, and issues are identified and addressed.
• Assist and advise schools and district departments regarding internal and external strategic communication and marketing programs to support an increase of capacity of the organization to actively market programs and inform media outlets of school-based activities.
• Serve as an active member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet: keep the Superintendent informed of pertinent communications information and seek the Superintendent’s counsel as necessary.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral forms.
• Ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of grasping, kneeling, sitting, walking, stooping, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid NC driver's license.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, parents, teachers, students, administrators, community leaders, agency representatives and others.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

DISCLAIMERS: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.

Johnston County Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the employment or promotion of employees on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national origin or disability.