Description:
The Director of Communications is responsible for driving the public conversation around public charter schools and advancing the vision of excellent school options for every student in Baton Rouge. The Director will develop and execute a communications strategy that strengthens community understanding of charter school offerings, increases awareness of high quality school choices, and elevates the critical role that New Schools for Baton Rouge and its charter school partners play in ensuring universal access to excellence in education. This role reports directly to the Chief of Staff. In this effort, the Director will lead initiatives related to:
Strategic Development & Implementation
- Develop and implement NSBR’s strategic communications plan and execute campaigns around key initiatives of NSBR and the Baton Rouge ecosystem
- Ensure brand management, monitor, and support of initiatives designed to build greater awareness around access to high-quality school options
- Recommend events and meetings to profile the CEO or other NSBR representatives
- Monitor local, state, and national news related to public education and charter schools to ensure timely, informed, and strategic briefings, messaging, and/or responses as appropriate
External Engagement
- Collaborate with allies, partners, and charter operators to design and execute proactive communications campaigns that advance shared educational missions
- Develop and implement external engagement strategies to expand civic leader involvement in NSBR's work and establish NSBR as a trusted thought leader in education locally and nationally
- Coordinate communications efforts between NSBR and charter school operators to ensure consistent messaging and maximize impact across the educational ecosystem
- Prepare presentation materials, talking points, and other communications support for partner meetings and emergency response situations
Media Relations
- Lead media relations and engage journalists, publications, media outlets, and other external contacts to generate content and amplify key messages of NSBR’s initiatives and those of its partners
- Draft, pitch, and deliver compelling stories about education innovation and excellence that inform, engage, and persuade a broad range of stakeholders across Baton Rouge
Storytelling & Content Creation
- Create and refine core messaging frameworks that effectively communicate organizational values, strategic priorities, and impact stories across multiple audiences
- Plan, write, and design comprehensive communications and marketing materials including press releases, monthly newsletters, social media content, blog articles, annual reports, policy briefs, advocacy materials, donor communications, and presentation decks
- Develop compelling narratives that showcase student success stories, school achievements, and community impact to support both advocacy and fundraising efforts
- Consistently produce and post content for the organization's website, social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), and email newsletters, ensuring consistent branding, regular content updates, and meaningful audience engagement
- Serve as organizational spokesperson when needed, representing NSBR at community events, media interviews, and stakeholder meetings
Development Communications
- Support fundraising efforts by researching, supporting the drafting and editing of grant proposals, foundation applications, and government funding requests, as well as creating compelling development collateral, including case statements, impact reports, donor newsletters, and major gift proposals
- Help craft individualized donor communications and materials, including thank you letters, impact updates, event materials, and personalized correspondence that strengthen relationships and demonstrate NSBR’s impact
- Support donor relationship management by maintaining detailed communication records, preparing briefing materials for donor meetings, assisting with grant reporting requirements, and ensuring consistent, timely engagement across all development activities
Team Communications Support
- Work closely with NSBR consultants and other team members, including program staff, development, and executive leadership, to ensure cohesive communication efforts and to support colleagues with communications-related work
- Provide comprehensive executive communications support, including drafting speeches, talking points, and briefing materials, and ensuring all presentation materials are prepared well in advance of CEO meetings, board presentations, and public engagements
CORE SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Exceptional writing and storytelling abilities with a clear, compelling voice and the ability to translate complex educational concepts into accessible, engaging content for diverse audiences, including donors, media, and community stakeholders
- Strategic communications planning and execution, with proven ability to develop comprehensive campaigns, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and coordinate across various platforms and stakeholder groups
- Strong social media and public speaking skills, including experience serving as organizational spokesperson, building journalist relationships, representing organizations at public events and community meetings, and developing social media content
- Digital communications expertise, including presentation design, website management, social media strategy and execution, email marketing, and creating visual content that enhances organizational messaging and engagement
- Relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with diverse groups, including civic leaders, education partners, media contacts, funders, and community organizations
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address challenges and identify solutions
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree (graduate degree preferred) in journalism, communications, public policy/political science, business, marketing, or related field
- At least 10 years of experience in strategic communications
- Experience in conceiving, designing, and managing innovative strategies, initiatives, or programs that drive systemic change
- Comfort operating with the degree of uncertainty associated with a “start-up” and the ability to build the systems and structures necessary to operate an effective organization
- A track record of leading, motivating, and building alignment and consensus amongst multiple stakeholders
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Demonstrated skill in motivating diverse audiences to action through communication
- Relentless results orientation and commitment to continuous improvement
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- The ideal candidate will have strong media relationships, an established network of current and emerging civic leaders in Baton Rouge to build upon, and a deep understanding of evolving dynamics in local and national education