Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Primary Function

Under the direction of the public relations and communications officer, provides strategic leadership for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of division-wide communications, community engagement, and stakeholder relations initiatives. Leads efforts to strengthen public trust, foster meaningful engagement, advance the division's strategic priorities, and support the achievement of organizational goals through integrated communications, strategic planning, and community partnerships.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• Three to five years' experience in communications, public relations, education-related experience, project management; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including writing, proofing, and editing.
• Ability to translate complex educational, financial and operational topics into clear, audience-focused messaging tailored to families, staff, students and community members.
• Good organizational, time management and problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while encountering frequent interruptions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, school administrators, teachers, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and sustain partnerships with business, civic, nonprofit, governmental, military, and higher education organizations.
• Ability to work well under pressure handling regular and after-hours emergencies.
• Strong understanding of communications, marketing and customer service principles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, division-wide initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Ability to develop and implement long-range strategic communication and community engagement plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes, organizational change management, stakeholder engagement, and public participation strategies.
• Ability to analyze organizational needs and recommend strategic initiatives that strengthen community support and advance division priorities.

Performance Responsibilities

• Assume delegated leadership authority and ensure continuity of operations, decision-making, and stakeholder communication in the absence of the Public Relations and Communications Officer.
• Serve as one of the spokespersons for the school division and respond to media and public requests for information as assigned.
• Lead the development and execution of integrated communication plans and campaigns that advance public understanding and support of the division's vision, mission, priorities, strategies and needs.
• Identify, develop, and elevate special projects and strategic initiatives to showcase innovative programs, employee contributions, student achievement, and division accomplishments.
• Facilitate research, strategic planning, visioning, and stakeholder engagement processes (e.g. surveys, focus groups) to support continuous improvement and long-range initiatives.
• Support development and implementation of division brand standards and messaging frameworks to ensure consistency in brand voice, tone, and messaging across all communication channels, including digital, print, video, and public-facing content.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including students, families, staff, community organizations, business partners, military stakeholders, and higher education institutions.
• Oversee multimedia and video production initiatives, including managing production requests to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Assess communication and engagement needs across departments and schools and recommend effective strategies to support organizational goals.
• Support school board, superintendent and cabinet in development of legislative priority position statements as needed.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to school and department staff on communication practices, media relations, crisis response, and brand alignment.
• Assist School Board Office staff in development of multimedia presentations as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Type: Exempt

Reports to: Public Relations & Communications Officer

Terms of Employment: Twelve months a year. Salary according to the School Board Pay Plan.

Evaluation: Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of non-licensed personnel.
 

The York County School Division does not discriminate on the basis of race (Title VI), color, religion, national origin, veteran status, sex, gender (Title IX), age or disability (Section 504), or any other protected class in its educational programs, activities or employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following positions have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: