Chief Communications Officer, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Alma Advisory Group, United States
Job Description
As the second largest school district in the state of Ohio, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) serves approximately 35,000 scholars across 99 schools, including 65 schools serving PreK through 8th grade, 31 High Schools, and 3 remote or virtual school options. Our district is grounded in the progress achieved since the introduction of our community-driven reform framework and we are poised to continue these essential efforts to ensure that all public school scholars have a high-quality, equitable education in schools that inspire joy in learning. Our families have the opportunity to choose which schools their scholars attend, with extensive options that include STEM, the arts, single-gender education, International Baccalaureate, Montessori, and early college. Our Vision for Learning is personalized for each scholar and designed to engage scholars deeply with increased autonomy on their respective learning journeys. Rooted in the elements of Competency-Based Education, Anytime/Anywhere Learning, Whole Human Learning, and Personalized Learner Pathways, we aim to amplify the experience and opportunity for each scholar and family we are honored to serve. Strong community partnerships support our efforts to help scholars select, prepare for and access futures of their choice through Say Yes Cleveland’s wraparound support and tuition scholarships, advising through College Now, and Planning and Career Exploration (PACE).
In the spring of 2023, the Board appointed new CEO Dr. Warren Morgan to lead the district into its next chapter. In the coming year, Dr. Morgan is looking to thoughtfully assess the current state of the district and build a clear vision moving forward. He is establishing a leadership team that is laser-focused on building the conditions for student success, and ensuring that all schools have the resources, services and supports needed to ensure high-quality instruction in every classroom and every school.
What You’ll Do
The Chief Communications Officer reports (CCO) directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Warren Morgan, and manages a team of professionals that support the organization in reaching its shared goals. The Chief Communications Officer is a critical member of the executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership of all external affairs programs and initiatives at the District level, including media relations; community relations; branding and visual identity; printed and digital communications tools; issues and crisis communications; and central operator services. The person in this role must be a trusted partner and advisor, an empathic listener, and a problem solver who can help bring understanding to a complex system and bridge gaps when misunderstandings occur. The Chief Communications Officer is responsible for developing an overall communications strategy, including internal communications, external communications, media relations, and social media that builds understanding and goodwill externally and internally for CMSD and its students. The CCO person also serves as a liaison between the District and the media, and serves as the District's chief spokesperson, handling sensitive and controversial issues.
Your Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Execution
- Develop and execute the district’s internal and external communications strategy which aligns to the district’s vision, mission and strategic plan.
- Provide strategic thought leadership on CMSD initiatives, goals and priorities to provide comprehensive and proactive communications, strategies and planning to enhance the district's image and brand while imparting public information in a transparent manner.
- Build and maintain public support for public education and the school system through proactive communication, marketing and media relations.
Partnerships and Relationship Building
- Serves as a key ambassador for the organization and represent CMSD at community, state, and national functions, as requested by the CEO.
- Communicate with various stakeholders to ensure that expectations are clear and that questions are answered directly and transparently.
- Consult with CEO, Executive Office, and school leaders to develop strategies and recommendations that will improve and sustain media relations.
- Under the direction of the CEO, interface extensively with Board of Education members to support CMSD initiatives and provide expertise and recommendations to Board members.
- Act as a liaison between the district and the community; creating a cooperative working relationship between the media, the community, families and key constituents.
- Partner with leading educational and community organizational leaders, staff, students and their families to support, inform, improve and enhance the execution of key initiatives.