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Our client is a national, not-for-profit organization founded by teachers that helps school districts and states fulfill the promise of public education by ensuring that all students—especially those from high-need communities— get excellent teachers. The organization recognizes that although teachers matter more than any other school factor in student success, the nation’s education systems are not aligned with the goal of an effective teacher in every classroom. In response, our client develops customized programs and policy interventions that enable education leaders to diagnose their teacher quality challenges and find, develop and keep great teachers.

Since its inception in 1997, the organization has recruited or trained approximately 33,000 teachers—mainly through its highly selective Teaching Fellows™ programs—benefiting an estimated 4.8 million students. It has also released a series of acclaimed studies of the policies and practices that affect the quality of the nation’s teacher workforce, most recently including The Widget Effect: Our National Failure to Acknowledge and Act on Differences in Teacher Effectiveness (2009). Today, our client is active in more than 25 cities, including Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, New York and Oakland.

Our client is currently seeking a Site Manager of Communications and Engagement for its Human Capital Strategy Initiative in partnership with the Recovery School District (RSD) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Site Manager will be based in the school district office in New Orleans. This position is available immediately.

The Site Manager of Communications and Engagement helps ensure the success of this initiative by leading the communications and engagement strategy for the Human Capital Strategy Initiative. Specifically, he or she develops communications messages for all key stakeholders including: team members, clients, union representatives, community members, teachers and school leaders; develops communications policies; and ensures the communications strategy is implemented consistently. The Site Manager of Communications and Engagement will report to the Senior Partner and will serve as a resource to other staff members on their work. The Site Manager of Communications and Engagement will manage a communications associate.

Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Design stakeholder management and communication plans to inform and invest stakeholders (principals, district employees, clients, funding representatives, teacher and principal associations, elected officials) in the RSD Human Capital Strategy Initiative’s goals and processes
• Build and apply deep understanding of New Orleans’ education community, including stakeholders, priorities and historical challenges by:
  • Attending and/or representing the organization at local and statewide meetings and events
  • Researching the RSD’s history, legislative underpinnings and portfolio of schools
• Create all messages for the RSD Human Capital Strategy Initiative, customizing these messages based on client need by consulting and collaborating with key stakeholders. They include: the Initiative’s Oversight Committee, principal and teacher advisory groups and RSD leaders
• Revise and approve all communications for teachers and school leaders, including newsletters, training and orientation materials, speeches, etc.
• Ensure that messaging is consistent and effective by convening focus groups, conducting surveys, etc.
• Work with all site staff to ensure that high-quality messages are consistently delivered to all stakeholders
• Oversee third party vendors on development and production of marketing materials
• Cultivate and manage relationships with local media outlets; pitch stories and respond to press inquiries
• Collaborate and support other site managers with all communications and reporting needs, including training materials for teachers, school leaders and other RSD employees
• Support the Senior Partner and other site staff members as needed

We are seeking candidates who believe deeply in our client's mission and who display a record of achievement.

Successful candidates will also demonstrate:

• Degree in communications, journalism or related field (highly preferred)
• Political campaign or community organizing experience (highly preferred)
• Outstanding communication and writing skills
• Ability to translate complex, nuanced program messages into clear, concise writing
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information effectively and strategically and create messages and materials for diverse audiences
• Excellent critical thinking skills
• Significant prior experience with client management
• A record of setting and achieving ambitious goals
• Superior project management and organizational skills
• A commitment to producing consistently high quality work
• The ability to identify challenges and actively work to find solutions
• The ability to work effectively with others at all levels of an organization and to consistently display a high level of professionalism in all interactions
• The ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously and meet timelines in a fast-paced environment
• The ability to work well independently and with others
• Extraordinary attention to detail
• Flexibility
• Superior computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office suite
• Willingness to work non-standard hours and/or weekends

Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.