Niles Township High School District Hiring for Director of Communications at Skokie, IL  Full Time

JOB TITLE: Director of Communications

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

SUPERVISES: Communications staff, including Digital Media Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships
Coordinator, Education to Careers Coordinator, Communications
Coordinator/Executive Assistant and freelance writers and producers.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:
To oversee the overall brand management and multi-channel communication strategies, including
district-wide (administrative and Board) communications, website content, social media, multimedia,
newsletters and other publications, that enhances our presence in the education network and builds
community and media relations

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Masters degree in communications, journalism, marketing or public relations or equivalent
experience
2. Superior writing skills
3. Creative thinker with the ability to identify and publicize interesting and meaningful stories
4. Experience developing and implementing organization-wide communication plans
5. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to advance communication goals
6. Communications and community relations leadership experience

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serves as information liaison between the school system and the community at large

Essential Duties:

* Develops and implements a unified communications program that allows the entire District to
efficiently and effective communicate to its constituents
* Communicates Board of Education’s actions to staff, students and the community
* Supervises District 219’s overall Communications and Partnerships program centered on building
relationships with external and internal audiences
* Communicates District 219’s programs, instructional goals and objectives to the greater
community
* Responds to requests for information about the school system
* Acts as point person for District 219 faculty and staff to the community
* Establish and maintain a set of standards to promote a consistent brand image in the development
of communication and promotional materials

12/5/2023

Serves as liaison between District 219 and the news media

Essential Duties:
* Supervises the production and distribution of all news releases
* Attends Board meetings
* Serves as Board spokesperson to the news media
* Serves as communication liaison between school district and the community, including media and
other public agencies
* Develop a response process, proactively whenever possible and reactively whenever necessary, to
effectively communicate news and information for all District news, press conferences, press
releases and media sources
* Prepares and disseminates announcements, general notices and personal correspondence and uses
such opportunities to strengthen the district’s reputation
* Prepares press materials as needed for distribution to reporters covering Board meetings and
public hearings
* Creates audiovisual materials for community information purposes
* Takes photographs and video for District use

Coordinates, writes, edits and designs school district publications

Essential Duties:
* Drive editorial story planning and opportunities; seek ways to celebrate school programs and
achievements of members of the school community and enhance the District’s reputation
* Creates publications including annual community reports, board meeting brochures, school report
cards and other specialty items as needed.
* Serves as principal writer and editor of school system publications
* Designs layouts for school system publications, forms and other printed matters including
employee recruitment materials
* Assists faculty and staff members in the preparation of publications and printed material
* Serves as member of the District Crisis Team to assist in planning, communication, training, and
follow-through strategies
* Develop protocols for and lead implementation of safety and emergency communications or other
related messaging that may be urgent, difficult, or of critical nature
* Oversee District’s website including conducting research on and incorporating interactive formats
to best engage internal and external audiences

Maintains open lines of communication with all community organizations and provides prompt
responses to requests for Community information about the district, its policies and its programs

Essential Duties:
* Confers with staff, students and community leaders on District 219 issues and needs
* Acts as District 219 liaison to other public agencies, such as the local municipalities, and
community organizations, such as the local Chambers of Commerce
* Represents District 219 administration as its liaison to ensure effective communication with
internal and external constituents including parent groups, alumni, senior citizens, and community
organizations

12/5/2023

Serves as a consultant to the Board, Superintendent and administrators on Communications and
Partnerships programs and probable consequences related to shifts in existing programs and
policies

Essential Duties:
* Serves as adviser to the Superintendent
* Serves as member of Cabinet management team
* Serves upon request as speech writer for Superintendent or Board members
* Serves as adviser to the Board of Education on matters of Communications and Partnerships
* Provides in-service opportunities for staff members on Communications and Partnerships

Sets annual objectives for the district’s Communications and Partnerships program and plans
budget for meeting these objectives

Essential Duties:
* Conducts research as assigned
* Engages in long-range planning
* Prepares annual fiscal report and annual community report
* Prepares budget for Communications and Partnerships program

Coordinates partnerships special events and programs

Essential Duties:

* Serves as District 219 point person on community relations initiatives
* Serves as D219 staff liaison to The Education Foundation (Supporting the Students of Niles
Township)
* Lead student communications internship program

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 260 days

SALARY RANGE: Target hiring range for this position will be between $130,000 to $170,000 per
year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and
abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with
provisions of the District procedures on administrative evaluation.

APPLY ON LINE AT: www.niles-hs.k12.il.us

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to
stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The
employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this
job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is continuously interacting with the

12/5/2023

public, staff and students. The employee frequently must meet multiple demands from several people. The
employee is regularly required to sit and stand. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger,
handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Occasionally the
employee must use hand/grip strength to operate office equipment. Ability to withstand long term use of
video display terminals is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee
is required to regularly interact with the students, staff and the public.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities
Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are
performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Niles Township High School District 219 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy and practice
of District 219 to decide all matters relating to employment solely on the basis of the applicant’s ability to
perform the essential functions of the position. District 219 ensures equal employment opportunities
regardless of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, or handicap.

The District has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees.
Any individual needing assistance in submitting an application for an opening should contact the
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.

12/5/2023