POSITION TITLE: Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
DEPARTMENT: Communications
REPORTS TO: Superintendent
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
WORK SCHEDULE: 225 days
DATE REVIEWED: 05/2023
SALARY AND BENEFITS - Administrative Salary Scale - A9

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: The Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, shall appoint this position. The annual period of service for this position shall be 225 days.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: As a direct report to the Superintendent, the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) is responsible for developing and executing communications and public relations strategy in support of the District's overall business plan and strategic direction for the following disciplines, including but not limited to: Media relations, public relations/engagement, marketing/graphic design, district branding, special events, and internal/external communications. In addition, the CCO provides strategic leadership by articulating the communications strategy and plans to the executive management team, shareholders, and the Board of Education and serves as a critical thought partner in executing the District's overall strategy. The CCO oversees the communications and district registration staff, the communications operating budget, and the execution of the Communications strategic plan for the organization.

The CCO also serves as a member of the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet participating in the creation and execution of the district's vision, mission, and strategic plan and spokesperson on behalf of the Superintendent and City Schools of Decatur.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops and implements a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the District's strategic goals.
• Manages and directs program activities for the District's Communications functions, emphasizing public and media relations, reputation management, special events, public engagement, and district branding initiatives.
• Provides oversight of media relations and maximizes positive media opportunities.
• Fosters collaboration with constituencies, including senior leadership staff, academic and non-academic staff, external stakeholders, community partners, media outlets, and the general public.
• Collaborates with District leadership and supports the Executive cabinet in developing strategies and initiatives that foster a favorable brand and reputation.
• Provides oversight of the creation of rich and creative content, including but not limited to press releases, district social media accounts, website management, speeches, email announcements, planned publications, videos, live press, and newsletters.
• Manages key relationships with external partners, media representatives, senior leaders, staff, and the general public.
• Identifies areas where current practices, systems, and structures can be improved to create a well-defined communications program for the District and collaborate with senior leadership to implement recommendations for improvement.
• Initiates and/or provides leadership in various communications, marketing, public relations, and/ or journalism disciplines.
• Establishes and implements the division's efforts that effectively communicate and support the company's mission and strategic vision.
• Supports a listening culture and utilizes feedback mechanisms to drive internal/external communications that enable stakeholders to have an opportunity for dialogue.
• Functions as a strategic business advisor to each division head and school leader regarding key organizational and management issues.
• Works with the senior leadership team and principal supervisors to establish a sound plan of communication that corresponds to the strategy and objectives of the District.
• Delivers reports to the Superintendent, Board and internal/external stakeholders on district progress related to the district's Communications strategy.
• Attends all Board of Education meetings and prepares reports for the Board as the Superintendent may request.
• Participates in the decision-making of policy recommendations and strategic planning, as a member of the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet.
• Evaluates staff as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned by an appropriate administrator,

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the operations of a public school system with an emphasis on leading-edge communications strategy
• Strong organizational skills, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong collaborative problem-solving skills, including the ability to partner with key stakeholders to build consensus and develop innovative solutions that foster resolution
• Knowledge of the use of technology and social media to streamline messaging that will align and integrate messaging across the District
• Ability to interact comfortably and successfully with a wide range of constituents
• Knowledge of current computing technologies and software applications appropriate to the position's job responsibilities, inclusive of video collaboration tools
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong, proven supervisory and leadership skills

Expected Dispositions and Behaviors

• Provide prompt attention to client inquiries and complaints
• Provide courteous support/advice to staff, students, parents and other stakeholders in person, via telephone, or via email
• Builds synergistic relationships with fellow cabinet members
• Open and accepting of feedback from stakeholders
• Ensures that written documentation is clear, formatted correctly, and grammatically correct
• Demonstrates good listening and collaboration skills
• Communicates technical information in an appropriate/ sensitive manner according to the level of understanding of the client/user
• Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork
• Attends meetings as required
• Demonstrates the ability to meet service and project deadlines
• Demonstrates efficient time management skills and prioritizes work accordingly
• Ability to perform research and presentation of findings in a clear, concise and professional manner
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the area of public education human resources.
• Participates in training programs to increase skills and proficiency related to you area of responsibility
• Ensures adherence to good safety procedures

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for the supervision of the communications staff. Manages day-to-day tasks and achieves the district objectives through a variety of indirect reporting relationships and a matrix management approach.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in communications/public relations, journalism, business administration, education, or an equivalent field required
• Seven (7) years of professional work experience in business administration, marketing, communications/journalism/public relations, school leadership, or related field, inclusive of five (5) years of supervisory experience
• Must have experience developing and managing substantial departmental budgets
• Track record of success with managing team performance outcomes for a large organization preferred.

Preferred EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Ten (10) years of progressive Communications experience
• Prior communications leadership experience in a public school setting

EVALUATION: Performance of this job shall be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the board's policy on the evaluation of classified personnel.

WORK HOURS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position may require non-standard work hours (nights and limited occasional weekends) and the ability to lift and carry files and materials up to 25 pounds. The employee is required to move freely throughout the building, sit for prolonged periods of time. Adequate vision, hearing, and manual dexterity to interact with people in writing, over the phone and in person are required. Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.