Cincinnati Public Schools

Director of Marketing and Communications

About Cincinnati Public Schools

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) serves nearly 36,000 students in 66 schools across a 91-square-mile district in Southwest Ohio. As one of Ohio’s highest-performing large urban school districts, CPS ranks among the top districts statewide for student learning and growth while providing families with a diverse portfolio of high-quality school options.

Through innovative programming, exceptional educators, and strong community partnerships, CPS is preparing students from preschool through graduation for success in college, careers, and life.

Mission

We are a community of students, educators, families, staff, and citizens working together to provide high-quality learning and equitable opportunities that make lifelong learning and sustainable economic mobility possible for every student.

Vision

Cincinnati Public Schools will be a system of excellent schools where each and every student is valued, supported, empowered, and prepared to pursue their fullest potential.

Who We Seek

CPS seeks a passionate, innovative, and culturally responsive leader who understands the power of strategic communication to build trust, strengthen community engagement, and elevate student success. The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional who can effectively tell the CPS story, manage complex issues, and lead communications efforts in a dynamic urban school district.

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Superintendent, the Director of Marketing and Communications serves as the district’s chief communications strategist and brand steward. The Director is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive marketing, communications, media relations, branding, and community engagement strategies that advance the district’s mission, strengthen public confidence, support student enrollment and retention, and enhance relationships with key stakeholders.

As a member of the Superintendent’s leadership team, the Director provides strategic counsel on communications, public perception, stakeholder engagement, and organizational initiatives. The Director oversees all internal and external communications, media relations, digital engagement, crisis communications, branding, and marketing efforts while ensuring consistent messaging throughout the organization.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy aligned with district priorities and strategic goals.
• Lead district branding efforts to ensure a consistent, professional, and compelling public image across all communication channels.
• Develop and execute strategic marketing and advertising campaigns to support student enrollment, retention, recruitment, and community awareness.
• Utilize digital marketing tools, search engine optimization (SEO), analytics, and market research to evaluate campaign effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Establish communication standards and protocols to ensure consistency across schools, departments, and district leadership.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to the Superintendent, Board of Education, Cabinet, and district leadership team.

Executive Leadership and Governance

• Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s leadership team.
• Advise district leadership on communication strategies related to organizational change, policy decisions, strategic planning, and major district initiatives.
• Coordinate communications related to Board of Education meetings, actions, priorities, and districtwide announcements.
• Develop executive communications, including speeches, presentations, talking points, correspondence, and public remarks for the Superintendent and Board leadership.
• Anticipate and assess potential reputational risks and recommend proactive communication strategies.

Media Relations and Public Information

• Serve as the district’s primary media contact and spokesperson, as appropriate.
• Develop press releases, media advisories, talking points, and other public-facing communications.
• Coordinate media interviews and cultivate positive relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment regarding district initiatives and issues.
• Respond to media inquiries in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.

Crisis Communications

• Lead district crisis communication planning and response efforts.
• Develop communication protocols and messaging strategies to ensure timely, accurate, and transparent communication during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Collaborate with district leadership, legal counsel, safety personnel, and school administrators during crisis situations.
• Serve as a key member of the district’s emergency response and incident management teams.

Digital Communications and Content Development

• Oversee the district website, social media platforms, email communications, video production, and other digital communication channels.
• Ensure content is accurate, engaging, accessible, and aligned with district priorities.
• Lead content development that highlights student achievement, staff excellence, and district initiatives.
• Monitor digital engagement metrics and continuously improve communication effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with accessibility standards and digital communication best practices.

Enrollment and School Choice Marketing

• Lead districtwide enrollment, retention, and school choice marketing efforts designed to attract and retain students and families.
• Develop targeted marketing campaigns that highlight the unique strengths, programs, and achievements of CPS schools.
• Utilize market research, demographic data, enrollment trends, and analytics to inform marketing strategies and measure effectiveness.
• Collaborate with school leaders and district departments to promote academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and specialized learning experiences.

Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations

• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen engagement with families, students, staff, community partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
• Support district efforts to build trust, transparency, and meaningful two-way communication with the community.
• Represent the district at community meetings, public events, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
• Foster partnerships that enhance the district’s visibility and support student success.

Public Records and Reputation Management

• Partner with the Legal Department to coordinate communications related to public records requests, litigation matters, and other sensitive issues requiring strategic messaging.
• Monitor public perception, community sentiment, and emerging issues that may impact the district’s reputation.
• Develop and implement reputation management strategies that strengthen public confidence in Cincinnati Public Schools.
• Ensure all communication efforts comply with applicable laws, regulations, and district policies, including FERPA, public records requirements, and copyright laws.

Leadership and Administration

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate communications and marketing staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage departmental budgets, contracts, vendors, and consulting services.
• Coordinate communication support for district departments, schools, and initiatives.
• Promote communications practices that reflect the district’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and excellence.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Public Administration, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading communications and marketing initiatives for a large, complex organization.
• Experience supervising communications, marketing, or public relations staff.
• Experience managing crisis communications and media relations.
• Experience supporting executive leaders, governing boards, or elected officials preferred.
• Experience overseeing enrollment marketing, branding, or community engagement campaigns preferred.
• Experience in public education, government, nonprofit, or other public-sector organizations preferred.
• Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholder groups preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong storytelling, branding, and strategic messaging abilities.
• Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) Style and communications best practices.
• Expertise in digital marketing, social media strategy, website management, and analytics.
• Ability to develop culturally responsive communication strategies for diverse audiences.
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media management tools, and graphic design software.
• Ability to analyze data and communication metrics to inform strategic decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive issues with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to multiple audiences.
• Commitment to equity, transparency, and authentic engagement with the communities served by Cincinnati Public Schools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Contract, Salary, and Benefits

• Position Classification: Director I
• Salary and benefits are provided in accordance with the CAAS Agreement.
• Evening and weekend work may be required for district events, community engagement activities, Board meetings, and crisis response.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cincinnati Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.