Job Abstract

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Manager, Media Relations will provide strategic leadership and management for the HISD Press Office. This position requires excellent writing skills, experience serving as a spokesperson, providing on-camera interviews and statements. A combination of strategic thinking, strong leadership skills, and the ability to drive results. The Senior Manager, Media Relations is responsible for setting departmental goals, developing, and implementing strategies, and ensuring the efficient and effective execution of press-related communications and initiatives.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

List most important duties first
1. Manage the District’s press office and media relations team in effective and successful communications initiatives and campaigns.
2. Write press releases, media statements, speeches, memoranda as well as reports and briefs communicating the District’s goals and messages.
3. Serve as spokesperson for the District at press conferences, public meetings, and other events.
4. Oversee the inquiries received from press and facilitate gathering information across departments within the district to provide accurate and timely responses.
5. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, statewide, and national media outlets.
6. Lead and mentor a team of professionals, providing guidance, support, and performance management.
7. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective communication of coordinated efforts.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

8. Monitor and evaluate departmental performance against established goals and metrics, implementing corrective measures when necessary.
9. Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies relevant to the department's area of focus.
10. Develop and implement departmental strategies, policies, and procedures to optimize operational efficiency and effectiveness.
11. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork, open communication, and professional growth.
12. Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and grant funding to support departmental initiatives.
13. Provide regular updates and reports to senior management and other stakeholders on departmental activities, achievements, and challenges.
14. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies within the department's scope of work.
15. Continuously seek opportunities for professional development and growth to enhance leadership skills and industry knowledge.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in a media relations role.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

-Excellent writing skills with experience drafting op-eds, blog posts, press releases, statements, speeches, memoranda, and professional correspondence.
-Outstanding editing skills with experience editing the types of written materials listed above as well as reports and briefs.
-Experience drafting quotes
-Knowledge of AP Style
- Experience serving as a spokesperson and representing an organization in live, on-camera interviews
-Knowledge of K-12 education
-Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
-Proven ability to develop and implement strategic communications initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
-Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
-Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
-Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
-Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
-Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
-Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
-Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
-Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight that impacts the entire District.

Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to the press office and communications team. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across the department.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.