Job Posting for Senior Press Secretary at Chicago Public Schools - CPS

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600 schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Communications promotes the CPS vision, mission, activities, and priorities for all internal and external communication. In addition, the office supports schools by promoting their work and assisting in crisis situations through a full range of tools, channels, and strategies designed to engage key internal and external stakeholders.

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Media Relations, the Senior Press Secretary assists in many critical aspects of public outreach for Chicago Public Schools. As a senior member of the Communications team, the Senior Press Secretary will help lead media outreach for the district, working closely with the Chief of Communications and Executive Director of Media Relations to develop and implement communications strategies for high priority initiatives and urgent communications matters.

The Senior Press Secretary is in daily contact with members of the news media, both in proactively pitching newsworthy stories and managing breaking news. This team member will also serve as a liaison to key CPS departments and school staff.

The Senior Press Secretary will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Strategy Content Creation

Manage the communication strategy to place stories that progress the CPS mission.
Lead short- and long-term planning of media events, and assist in the development of media plans for the annual CPS budget and other significant operational initiatives.
Develop a strong working knowledge of CPS operations, and work closely with assigned departments to understand and create Communications plans around key initiatives
Manage all aspects of media relations including drafting press releases, talking points, press conferences, and media appearances.

Media Relations and Training

Develop and maintain relationships with media to build trust with Education Beat reporters and secure earned media coverage
Conduct media training and prepare senior/school leadership for interviews and press events

Manage Event Logistics

Attend public meetings and events to assist media, which can include the evening or on weekends
Manage logistics for press conferences, B-roll opportunities and other public-facing events, both virtual and in-person.

Supervisory responsibilities

Effectively oversee the press team; provide ongoing guidance, cohesion, and oversight of goals and work plans, ensure alignment to District Messaging, and track progress toward milestones. This team currently consists of one press assistant and two press secretaries.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Press Secretary must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Concentration in communications, political science, journalism, english, public relations or a related field, preferred.

Experience Required:

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in communications, marketing/PR, political campaigns, or education policy
Minimum of three (3) years in a leadership role and managing direct reports
Experience managing communications for a large organization with a significant public profile
Experience working in dynamic, high-intensity situations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, with the ability to communicate on deadline for different platforms and different audiences
Adept at managing a team to plan communication strategies for complex initiatives including budget rollouts
Ability to balance competing high-profile priorities, demonstrate good judgment and operate as a strong team member
Adept at multitasking while maintaining a calm and productive environment during crisis or emergency situations
Ability to understand complex issues and simplify them for key audiences
Proven track record developing and executing complex, large-scale projects
Feels sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success and working effectively under crisis situations
Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and an unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the District.
Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing - Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly COVID-19 testing.

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Senior Press Secretary

Job Posting for Senior Press Secretary at Chicago Public Schools - CPS

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