] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR AND ASSISTANT CHIEF FOR COMMUNICATIONS

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Senior Communications Advisor and Assistant Chief for Communications

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Assistant Chief CODE: 0181 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Senior Communications Advisor and Assistant Chief for Communications GRADE: NS MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: The ACC provides strategic advice and counsel to the superintendent and fellow cabinet members. The ACC supports the superintendent's communications to the board. The ACC develops the district's overall communications plan and ensures alignment with the superintendent and board's broader strategic plan. The ACC directs the district's day-to-day internal and external communications functions, including MCPS-TV, public information and web services, and language services. The ACC coordinates with the district's community relations and government relations functions to ensure consistency in messaging to various audiences and stakeholders. The ACC manages coordinated campaigns to advance the superintendent's priorities in the community and among local, state, and national policymakers. The ACC partners with employee associations, community organizations, and other stakeholders to build and maintain coalitions in support of the district. The ACC utilizes multiple communications channels, including email platforms, social media, web sites, and traditional news outlets (i.e. newspapers, radio, and tv). The ACC expands the district's communications infrastructure, including email, phone, and text/sms lists. The ACC advances the district's branding and marketing initiatives through earned media and paid media. The ACC leads the district's crisis communications and rapid-response efforts. The ACC identifies and leverages opportunities to position the superintendent as a thought leader in state and national policy circles. The ACC oversees speechwriting and message development for the superintendent as well as top surrogates. The ACC produces high-impact, two-way events such as town hall meetings, stakeholder roundtable discussions, and state of the district presentations. The ACC stimulates new ideas and initiatives to build communications capacity throughout the district, including in the schools.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of and ability to implement best practices in public relations, marketing, communications, community relations and public affairs. Knowledge of federal, state and local regulatory requirements applicable to MCPS communications and community outreach programs. Knowledge of and ability to advise the MCPS leadership on applicable laws related to freedom of the press and free access to public information. Diversity, sensitivity, and competence with regard to issues of race, learning or other ability, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, socio-economic group, sexuality or other orientations or cultural markers. Strong skills related to budget development, oversight, administration, and emerging technologies. Ability to establish strong partnerships across organizations and develop compelling messages for different constituencies including parent, staff and community members. Knowledge of effective communications strategies in response to a crisis. Ability to work with stakeholders including families, governmental agencies, nongovernmental partners, and the business community. Ability to lead issue-based communications and/or policy advocacy through messaging, positioning, media and communications strategy, journalism, branding and constituent engagement. Ability to create and disseminate a cohesive message across media, community relations, and intergovernmental affairs functions of the organization. Ability to effectively work with administrators, central office staff, school staff, parents, local, state and national colleagues, to implement and monitor the overall communications plan and related projects. Excellent planning, organization, management, communications (oral and written) and human relations skills. Ability to plan and implement strategies for fiscal accountability and budget management.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field. Master's degree preferred. Ten (10) years of accomplished strategic communications experience of increasing scope required, preferably with some experience at a public agency or with a large, complex organization. Proven experience as a leader in communicating with a diverse community. Experience in leading and managing a team of communications professionals. Experience working proactively with media, establishing influential productive working relationships. Experience functioning successfully as a communications strategist and spokesperson in a politically charged environment.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Availability for frequent evening and weekend work.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reports to the Superintendent and Chief of Staff, and serves on the Cabinet and Executive Staff.
Provides strategic advice and counsel to the Superintendent and fellow Cabinet members.
Supports the Superintendent's communications to the Board.
Develops the district's overall communications plan and ensure alignment with the Superintendent and Board's broader strategic plan.
Directs the district's day-to-day internal and external communications functions, including MCPS-TV, Public Information and Web Services, and Language Services.
Coordinates with the district's community relations and government relations functions to ensure consistency in messaging to various audiences and stakeholders.
Manages coordinated campaigns to advance the Superintendent's priorities in the community and among local, state, and national policymakers.
Partners with employee associations, community organizations, and other stakeholders to build and maintain coalitions in support of the district.
Utilizes multiple communications channels, including email platforms, social media, web sites, and traditional news outlets (i.e. newspapers, radio, and TV).
Expands the district's communications infrastructure, including email, phone, and text/SMS lists.
Advances the district's branding and marketing initiatives through earned media and paid media.
Leads the district's crisis communications and rapid-response efforts.
Identifies and leverages opportunities to position the Superintendent as a thought leader in state and national policy circles.
Oversees speechwriting and message development for the Superintendent as well as top surrogates.
Produces high-impact events such as town hall meetings, stakeholder roundtable discussions, and State of the District presentations.
Stimulates new ideas and initiatives to build communications capacity throughout the district, including in the schools.
Performs other duties as needed.
Class Established: 5/2022
Date(s) Revised:
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.