Senior Manager of Communications

TITLE: Senior Manager of Communications

LOCATION: DSST: Home Office in Denver, CO

SALARY: $80,000-$97,500 based on aligned years of experience up to 10 years

We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!

STATUS/CLASSIFICATION: Full time, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position (Denver, CO)

START: Immediate. View the current School Year Calendar here.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

DSST Public Schools seeks a Senior Manager of Communications who will lead the strategy, systems, and execution of internal and external communications across our 16-school network. This leader will ensure that DSST’s 1,000 educators, 7,600 families, and broader Denver and Aurora communities receive clear, timely and compelling information that strengthens trust, engagement, and understanding of DSST’s mission.

This role manages a small communications team, collaborates closely with school and network leaders, and serves as a key partner to the externals team. The Senior Manager of Communications will elevate DSST’s voice, protect its reputation and ensure our story is told with clarity, consistency and heart.

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and oversee comprehensive communications plans for internal and external audiences, including staff, families, media, board members and community partners
• Maintain communications standards (style guide, templates, approved language/FAQs, source-of-truth repository) to ensure speed, quality and consistency across the network
• Support DSST’s issues management and crisis communications program, including scenario playbooks, spokesperson protocols, rapid message creation and distribution, monitoring and tabletop drills
• Establish network-wide communications governance (intake, prioritization, approval pathways, risk tiers, and RAPID) to enable fast, clear, and consistent communications without creating bottlenecks
• Develop and maintain DSST’s network narrative, messaging framework, and message hierarchy; ensure all communications map to strategic priorities and reinforce trust with families, staff, and community
• Ensure communications and website are culturally responsive, accessible, and inclusive: plain-language standards, language access/translation workflow, and ADA-aware digital content practices
• Define and track communications outcomes (clarity, understanding, trust, engagement, behavior/action) beyond delivery metrics; deliver quarterly insights and improvement plans
• Build and maintain stakeholder segmentation and channel strategies by audience; implement two‑way listening systems (feedback loops, message testing) and translate insights into improvements to DSST communications and leader decision-making
  
  

Internal Communications

• Oversee the creation and distribution of internal communications to all DSST staff, including leadership updates, crisis communications and network announcements
• Manage the internal editorial calendar and participate in weekly editorial meetings
• Supervise the production of weekly staff newsletters and daily Microsoft Teams messages
• Maintain and evolve DSST’s internal blog, including editing submissions and producing original content
• Serve as the “traffic controller” for internal messaging, ensuring appropriate cadence, clarity and channel alignment across departments
• Coach leaders and teams on effective internal communication practices
• Support CEO, SLT, and principals with executive communications (talking points, scripts, Q&As, town halls, board updates)
  
  

External Communications & Media Relations

• Lead the development and distribution of network‑level family communications, including the DSST website
• Work with school teams to ensure school websites are regularly updated and accurate
• Oversee monthly newsletters and other community‑facing updates
• Serve as DSST’s primary media contact, cultivating relationships with reporters and pitching timely, compelling stories
• Support school and network leaders with public relations guidance, crisis response, and message development
• Ensure DSST’s external communications reflect our values, mission, and commitment to equity
• Implement media and reputation monitoring, maintain proactive reporter relationships, and deliver regular reputation briefings and recommended actions to leadership.
  
  

Team Management & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Manage and develop communications staff, ensuring clarity of roles, strong execution, and opportunities for growth
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Manager of Creative Marketing and Manager of Marketing Data & Systems to ensure cohesive storytelling across digital, visual and written channels
• Partner with student recruitment, talent acquisition, development, STEM, and college success teams to support messaging needs and major initiatives
• Serve as a key connector within the externals team to ensure alignment and shared priorities
• Partner closely with marketing leader to ensure aligned storytelling while maintaining clear ownership boundaries: Communications leads network messaging, internal communications, media relations, and issues management; marketing leads campaigns, social channels, and promotional content
  
  

Analysis, Systems, & Best Practices

• Serve as a key bridge within the externals team to ensure priorities are translated into clear, actionable communications outputs.
• Maintain email and engagement dashboards and reporting tools; monitor performance, audience engagement trends and channel health.
• Produce monthly performance snapshots (open/click rates, engagement trends, audience insights) and recommend tactical improvements to increase reach and clarity.
• Keep the organization accountable to communications best practices, templates, and publishing protocols; identify process improvements that reduce rework and improve quality.
  
  

Event Support

• Support the planning and execution of major network events, including Infusion and Senior Signing Day.
• Provide messaging support, run‑of‑show guidance, and on‑site coordination as needed.
• Offer peripheral support for additional events to ensure strong communication and smooth execution.
• Serve as the primary on-site contact for the media during signature events.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of communications, public relations, or marketing experience
• 2 years of team or project management experience
• Demonstrated success leading communications strategy across multiple channels and audiences
• Proven experience with crisis communications and media relations
• Exceptional writing and editing skills across a range of formats
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to inform strategy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and modern digital communication tools
• Experience collaborating across departments and managing complex workflows
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in K–12 education or a mission‑driven nonprofit
• Familiarity with email marketing platforms, content management systems (website), and digital engagement tools
• Ability to coach leaders and staff on communication best practices
• A spirit of curiosity, creativity, and continuous improvement
  
  

Who We Are

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500 students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.

We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.

Our Impact

• 100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
• 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
• 9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
• 95% of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people
  
  

Why Work at DSST?

At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.

• Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
• Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
• Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
• Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11 weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.
  
  

Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.