Senior Director, Communications
Northeast Charter Schools Network (NECSN)
9/12/2022

 Position Summary

The Northeast Charter Schools Network (NECSN) is a nonprofit network organization that supports the work of both the New York Charter Schools Association (NYCSA) and Connecticut Charter Schools Association (CTCSA), each of which serve as the unified voices for their state’s public charter schools. NECSN works to enact change in the public charter school sector that will have a significant impact on student outcomes throughout each state.

The Senior Director, Communications will be responsible for developing and overseeing the execution of NECSN’s communications strategies, all with the goal of strengthening public support for charter schools and the charter movement’s ability to achieve its strategic goals.

The ideal candidate will be familiar with and/or has a strong interest in delving into the political and education landscape in New York and/or Connecticut and has a solid track record of communications, marketing, and/or campaign/issue advocacy communications work. This is a great opportunity for an experienced communications leader interested in supporting public charter schools in NY and CT. 

NECSN is a strong fit for professionals who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, a high degree of integrity, and are committed to creating equitable opportunities for children, families, and educators. The Senior Director, Communications will report to the Executive Director of NECSN.

 Responsibilities

• Build and execute NECSN’s communications and marketing strategy (with measurable goals and benchmarks), in collaboration with NECSN’s Executive Director, the Executive Directors at NYCSA and CTCSA, members of the senior leadership team, and ultimately member schools.
• Support the NYCSA and CTCSA Executive Directors’ work to set a communications strategy that supports their respective advocacy priorities, as well as all internal and external communications, public relations, and marketing efforts.
• Develop a core group of member schools to build storytelling capacity, increase positive public charter school coverage, and mobilize on communications campaigns.
• Develop messaging and communications  assets and execute trainings for member schools and key stakeholders.
• Keep schools informed (e.g., polling data, most effective messaging, school and state data, etc.) and engaged (e.g., legislative calls to action) in NYCSA/CTCSA’s communications and advocacy efforts.
• Serve as the communications content expert at NECSN; stay abreast of new developments, opportunities, and threats that will impact public charter school issues and initiatives; and, build relationships with public charter school association peers across the country to leverage best practices.
• In partnership with members of NECSN’s leadership team, identify, hire/contract, and manage any employees, consultants, vendors or products needed to support these workstreams.
• Direct all press outreach, relations, and communications.
• Manage all social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn).
• Write, design, and produce various publications including announcements, social media, collateral, videos, fundraising documents, reports, and annual reports.
• Support with event planning and production for multiple audiences, including press, policy, and individual and institutional donors.
• Create, track and report out on goals, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Manage a variety of daily electronic communications functions, including but not limited to: website maintenance, ongoing and ad hoc member communications, etc.

Qualifications

The most competitive candidates for this position will possess many of the following experiences and skills: 

• Passion for and commitment to helping the NY and CT public charter school sectors to thrive. 
• A belief in the power and possibility of public charter schools and the importance of stakeholder engagement and activation in public policy, particularly among historically underrepresented populations.
• Successful and progressively responsible communications and marketing experience. Familiarity and/or experience with the NY and/or CT earned media landscapes is a plus..
• Strong messaging and storytelling skills, with the ability to understand and creatively explain issues and trends affecting public education in NY and CT and nationally.
• Track record of creating/executing communications plans and/or communications campaigns to reach short- and long-term goals.
• Ability to synthesize and translate complex advocacy language or strategy to gain broad appeal and generate calls to action.
• Exceptional time and project management skills.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems in marketing and communications strategies.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and collaboration skills; high attention to detail.
• Ability to hold sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• 7+ years experience in public relations, media, marketing, or nonprofit communications.

Timing and Location

This full-time position is available immediately. This position is hybrid, with the ability to work remotely as well as from our Albany (NY), New York City, and/or New Haven (CT) offices. Ability and willingness to travel throughout NY and CT as needed.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $110,000 – $140,000. NECSN also offers a competitive benefits package.

To Apply

Interested candidates should send their résumé and two writing samples to Victoria Criado at careers@plt-strategiesgroup.com. The position is open until filled.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Northeast Charter Schools Network – including its d/b/a’s the New York Charter Schools Associaiton and the Connecticut Charter schools Association – is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.