Executive Director of Communications and Strategy

Mission and Vision: Tulsa Public Schools is the destination for extraordinary educators who work with our community and families to ignite the joy of learning and prepare every student for the greatest success in college, careers, and life. Our mission is to inspire and prepare every student to love learning, achieve ambitious goals and make positive contributions to our world.

Core Values: Our core values guide how we work and interact with each other at every level of the organization. We embrace and embody these values every day:

• Equity: All children deserve the opportunity to develop their full academic and social potential. Our diversity is a community treasure, and we must foster an inclusive environment by examining biases and resolving unfair practices.
• Character: We are honest, trustworthy, and have high standards of behavior. We do the right thing even when it is hard. While we do not always agree, we treat one another with kindness and respect.
• Excellence: We work hard together and expect a lot of one another because high standards produce exemplary knowledge, skills, abilities, and mindsets.
• Team: We care for one another, support the personal and professional development of one another, and work together to improve our community
• Joy: Joy at school and at work makes us more productive, because when we create, innovate, and imagine, our motivation grows. We want to ensure that everyone knows the excitement of working deeply on a problem, task, or concept and experiencing breakthrough moments.

Position Summary: The Executive Director of Communications and Strategy will develop and implement communications, engagement, and public relations strategies designed to support the district’s strategic initiatives, improve community perceptions and feelings of trust in Tulsa Public Schools, and ensure that internal and external stakeholders feel connected to the district. The Executive Director of Communications and Strategy will work collaboratively with the district’s cabinet and senior leadership teams to implement user-centered messaging, tactics, and engagement strategies and oversee the district’s community and legislative advocacy efforts. This position will also serve as key staff support to the cabinet team developing messaging and engagement strategies, sustaining strong internal communications and staff engagement, and engaging with the Tulsa Board of Education.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations.

• Provides strategic oversight of district internal and external communications to ensure that Tulsa Public Schools builds, sustains, and strengthens its brand identity as a district of choice for families, teachers, support professionals, and community partners
• Develops and implements strategic communications and public relations strategy designed to support the district’s strategic initiatives, improve community perceptions and feelings of trust, and ensure that internal and external stakeholders feel connected to Tulsa Public Schools Serves as a spokesperson for the district
• Oversees routine operations of the district’s strategic communications office inclusive of all district-level messaging campaigns; employee engagement events, recognition, and internal communications, ribbon-cuttings events, press conferences, and other special projects as needed
• Ensures strong alignment across the district’s senior leaders by facilitating cross-functional collaboration and communication
• Works with Manager of Communications to develop and implement the district’s media relations, social media, and district-level family engagement strategy
• Serves as key support for cabinet-level staff in developing messaging and engagement strategies, sustaining strong internal communications and staff engagement, and engaging with the Tulsa Board of Education
• Works with the Office of the Superintendent and Clerk of the Board to assist with the development of board agendas, special presentations, and staff reports
• Collaborates with Chief of Strategy and Innovation to build and sustain strong, productive working relationships with state and local legislators that help inform legislators about the impact of legislation and civic decisions on teaching and learning in Tulsa
• Works with the President of The Foundation of Tulsa Public Schools to develop and activate community advocates for public education and build strategic partnerships that expand public support for Tulsa Public Schools
• Oversees the district’s digital communications strategy through the effective use of district and school websites to inform and engage current and potential staff and families
• Leverages relevant data including website traffic, social media engagement, frequency, and tone of media coverage, reach, and engagement with parent communications to ensure continuous improvement of tactics and strategy
• Leads staff on crisis communications at the district- and school-level and critical thought partner for school and district leaders in risk mitigation through strategic communications, outreach, and engagement
• Empowers and manages the strategic communications team by providing leadership, direction, and coaching
• Works with other departments and community partners to assist in promoting district-wide programs and initiatives
• Performs other duties, tasks, and services consistent with this position as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Organizational Leadership, or related field
• Master’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Organizational Leadership, or related field preferred

Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a related position
• Two (2) years experience supervising and coaching two or more direct reports
• Three (3) years experience of working in media relations with experience managing crisis communications

Specialized Knowledge, Licenses, etc.:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Office Suite
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Skills and Abilities Required: The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties:

• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking and writing, with fluency in Spanish being a major plus.
• Skills in communications strategy, marketing, and public relations.
• Visionary leadership and the ability to identify and act upon opportunities.
• Strong leadership abilities within both the cabinet team and the communications team.
• Experience in effectively managing a team of communications professionals.
• Proficiency in effective written communications and experience in crisis communications strategy.
• Strong organizational skills for proactive work management and process establishment.
• Clear communication of plans and changes, while being receptive to team input.
• Strategic thinking and adaptability to navigate complex situations.
• Ability to understand and build relationships with stakeholders in the school district.
• Strong listening skills and understanding of diverse learning and working styles.
• Keen problem-solving skills, with knowledge of key district stakeholders and risk mitigation.
• Collaboration skills for working with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring high-quality customer service.
• Solid understanding of the complexity and sensitivity of political issues and situations.
• Familiarity with best practices and industry standards for website design and content development, and excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to accommodate evening and weekend schedule to work independently in various situations involving public leaders, media, community members, and special interest groups.
• A strong understanding of the legislative processes at the national, state, and local levels, along with relevant educational policy issues.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Supervises the Tulsa Public Schools Communications Team

Customer Contacts:

• Internal: TPS District Employees
• External: Media Outlets, Partnered Vendors, Families, Oklahoma Department of Education, Oklahoma State Officials, Tulsa City Officials, Community Members

Working Conditions: Exposure to the following situations may range from remote to frequent based on circumstances and factors that may not be predictable.

• Physical requirements consistent with an office setting
• Occasionally travel between district and non-district sites
• Must be flexible and willing to work outside normal working hours to attend events and meetings

Salary: Tulsa Public Schools offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $93,500 – $140,300 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Tulsa Public Schools is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team of individuals who contribute to the district’s mission with their talents, skills, and energy. Tulsa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Tulsa Public Schools also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

If you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact the district’s talent management department at 918-746-6310 or the district’s human rights and title IX coordinator at 918-746-6517. You can also direct your request for accommodation in writing to the Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, Attn: Talent Management, 3027 S. New Haven Ave., Tulsa, OK 74114-6131.

Tulsa Public Schools