Chief Communications Officer Full Time

Reporting to the State Superintendent of Education, leads the development and implementation of Agency communications; responsible for directing activities in the Public Relations and Family and Community Engagement Department; serves as Chief Spokesperson for the State Superintendent/ISBE focusing on ISBE’s priorities with the public and media. Collaborates with all other departments to enhance the reach, engagement, and visibility of Agency programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises and directs the day-to-day management of the Public Relations and Family and Community Engagement Department.
• Implements and oversees an Agency Communications Plan that ensures the consistency of the Agency’s message in all communications and assures content is accurate and current.
• Ensures communication aligns to the Agency’s mission, vision and goals.
• Responsible for making appropriate communications decisions, under the direction of the State Superintendent.
• Advises the State Superintendent and Agency Executive Leaders in strategic planning, issue management, and communications decision making that furthers the Agency’s values, vision, mission, and goals and gains support for the Agency’s short and long term objectives.
• Serves as the Chief Spokesperson for the State Superintendent and Board.
• Participates in external speaking engagements with and/or on behalf of the State Superintendent.
• Responsible for the oversight of all media calls and inquiries to ensure accurate and timely responses are being provided.
• Collaborates with Agency management as they develop the departmental level communication plan and events related to activities for the various functions and opportunities at the Agency.
• Recommends opportunities to improve the Agency’s communications practices and enhance the Agency’s communications capacity and effectiveness.
• Oversees media monitoring and tracking/reporting of coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree, or, Bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant professional experience. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION)
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional and/or administrative experience (in addition to the education requirements) with media relations
• Experience with strategic planning and issue management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to represent the Agency to various media outlets.
• Ability to translate complicated subject matter into more accessible content.
• Leadership skills, including accountability and strategic decision‑making.
• Strong organizational skills to effectively manage multiple complex issues and projects.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or Public Relations.
• Previous staff management experience.

ISBE provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We actively foster a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.

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