JOB STATUS
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BASIC INFORMATION
- Place of Performance: Seattle, Washington
- Supervisor: Patrick D’Amelio, President
- Communications Team: VP Communications and Digital Communications Manager (reports to VP)
- Status: Full Time, Exempt
- Travel Requirements: Light travel in state or nationally.
- Salary Range: $135,000 – $160,000
WHO WE ARE
WA Charters knows that communities of color, immigrant and refugee communities, low-income communities, and individuals living with disabilities disproportionately shoulder the burden of the impacts of inequitable access to high-quality public schools. Working for and in partnership with impacted communities is a critical priority of our school services, legal, advocacy, communications, and engagement work to support charter public schools at every stage of their development. By doing so, we believe charter public schools will be a lever to improve educational outcomes across charter and traditional schools for all students.
Washington is the 42nd state to open its public education system to charter public schools and the charter public school law puts a strong emphasis on ensuring that its charters are high-quality options for students that don’t have access to them currently. The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and develops high-quality charter public schools that meet the needs of systemically underserved students.
POSITION OVERVIEW
While the primary focus of this position is sitting at the helm of all external communications, all positions at WA Charters contribute to our broader goal of advancing equity in Washington State’s public schools.
Reporting to the President and working closely with the Senior Vice President, Policy the Senior Vice President (SVP) Communications will be responsible for the development of WA Charters’ communications strategy and will contribute to the implementation of WA Charters’ overall strategic plan. The SVP Communications will develop the road map for increased political will building and continue general sector awareness, directly managing communications activities that promote and enhance Washington State’s charter public school sector. The individual will be responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positions of the organization and the sector. A key goal of this role is to advance the organization’s advocacy priorities with relevant constituents, as well as drive broader awareness and support communications for donor efforts. This role will ensure that all internal and external communications – publications, media relations, marketing, videos, websites, social media, letter of importance, and events are cohesive, high-quality, and strategic.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Oversight for All Communications Functions
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY, VISION, AND LEADERSHIP: 40%
- Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance WA Charters political and policy awareness, broaden awareness of the organization’s programs and priorities, increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences, and create an enabling environment for critical advocacy and policy wins
- Oversee and lead legislative communications strategy: Work closely with SVP Policy to communicate the organization’s policy priorities; co-create and execute a legislative communications strategy to advances those priorities in decision-making bodies
- Work with Policy team to grow and engage a powerful base of advocates through digital outreach, advocacy, and organizing
- Create public relations and marketing strategies that will allow WA Charters leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers
- Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization, work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external public communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them
- Serve as in-house communications counsel to WA Charters President and leadership
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS: 25%
- Digital Presence and Collateral Materials – Oversee development and management of all external-facing communications materials, including website, social media platforms, collateral materials, press releases, advertising content, and more
- Agency Relations – Research, vet, retain, and oversee the use of outside services (PR agency, content and digital marketing agencies, etc.) and manage vendor relationships and contracts
- Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization
- Provide media coaching for President and other spokespersons, including WA Charters leadership, parents, educators, and students
- Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed
- Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding WA Charters and programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects
- Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning, and staff development
TEAM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT: 25%
- Recruit and manage a communications team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
- Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative coaching-based approach on a consistent basis
- Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance review within WA Charters established review system
CONTRIBUTE TO WA CHARTERS STRATEGY: 10%
- Work with the entire team to uphold equity throughout every aspect of work including external engagement, strategy, advocacy, communication, school services, operations and development
- Participate in school and community events in support of our broader community each year.
- Provide additional support across the organization by leading and participating in additional projects as needed
WHO YOU ARE
WA Charters is seeking a team member that has the following essential skills and experiences:
- 7-10 years of experience in a senior communications management role either in-house or with an agency with a focus on strategic, political communications, and marketing and branding
- Experience leading communications for issue-based advocacy campaigns
- Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing comprehensive strategic communications, media relations, legislative campaigns, and marketing programs to advance an organization’s mission and goals
- Demonstrated experience leading and overseeing long-term, high-budget paid media campaigns
- Familiarity with national and state narratives around charter public schools
- Masters degree in communications, alternate experience will be considered
- Understanding of the relationships and nuances of C3 and C4 entities
- A resolute personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Willingness to be an active leading voice for equity
- Willingness to share own ideas amongst staff, stakeholders, and board members
- Excited by prospect of creating a continuously improving a program, at times working independently and at others with a team
- This position requires flexibility to travel to work site, a valid Washington Driver’s License, and proof of minimum state required insurance
- Experience with charter schools preferred but not required
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Open office workspace, with frequent sitting, occasional standing and/or walking and urban noise
- Frequent computer use
- Occasional local travel outside of the office, driving own vehicle or public transit
- Occasional need based irregular hours outside of the standard workweek (e.g. nights and weekends)
- Occasionally lift/carry up to 25 pounds
- Occasionally push/pull up to 25 pounds
- Note: WA Charters will make accommodations where necessary
- WA Charters office is closed through December 2021 and staff are working remotely
WHAT WE OFFER
- A chance to transform Washington State’s public education to create broader equitable outcomes and policies for all students in Washington State
- A passionate, fun, fast-moving, and collaborative team
- Salary range $135,000 – $160,000
- Medical, dental, vision, and Rx benefits; long- and short-term disability; and life insurance (details provided upon request)
- 401(k) Plan with an employer match
- PTO days and paid federal holidays
HIRING PROCESS
- To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume via BambooHR link provided; in your cover letter please discuss your experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and working with teams
- The position will remain open until filled; however, anyone interested in the position is encouraged to apply early in the process, as the preferred start date is as soon as possible
- If your skills are a match, we will contact you to schedule a phone interview, followed by an interview with members of our team
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
WA Charters is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.