Chief Communications Officer Needed - Santa Monica, CA

This listing closes on 3/16/2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana.

Under administrative direction, the Chief Communications Officer plans, develops, implements, and oversees District-wide communication, marketing, and public relations strategies, collaborates with leadership within and across organizations, manages crisis communications, and coordinates the production of multimedia material to provide information and strengthen engagement within the district and community while also supervising staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree in mass communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or other field closely related to the duties and responsibilities of the position from an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional accreditation association, as recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Foreign degrees and credit units require translation and equivalency established by an agency recognized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of experience managing the strategic communication activities of an organization, including implementing organization-wide communication strategies, managing crisis communications, and overseeing multimedia communications. One (1) year of supervisory experience is required. Supervisory experience may be, but need not be, acquired concurrently.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION:
• A valid California Driver License and availability of private transportation or ability to obtain transportation between job sites is required
• The ability to speak, translate, and/or interpret from English to Spanish is highly desirable
• APR accreditation is highly desirable

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive, integrated communication strategies used to establish and advance the District’s mission, vision, and goals
• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive, integrated marketing and public relations strategies used to increase public awareness and support of District programs and services
• Develops, implements, and evaluates strategy, content, and direction of District’s websites
• Develops, implements, and evaluates rules, policies, processes, and procedures related to District communications, marketing, and public relations
• Provides support, guidance, clarification, and direction to District staff, executive leadership, and board members on matters related to communication, marketing, and public relations
• Creates, reviews, and oversees the distribution of a variety of communications including, but not limited to, press releases, speeches, brochures, public reports, presentations, social media posts, videography, and emergency messaging
• Develops material and facilitates training for employees throughout the District on matters related to communication, marketing, and public relations
• Develops, distributes, and collects surveys and questionnaires to gather qualitative and quantitative data regarding District programs and climate within the community
• Analyzes and interprets qualitative and quantitative date to inform and support communication strategies and District programs and initiatives
• Attends, participates, and represents the District’s interests at a variety of functions including, but not limited to, executive cabinet, conferences, hearings, public meetings, workshops, productions, and committees
• Serves a spokesperson with media by conducting outreach to outlets and responding to inquiries on behalf of the District
• Serves as liaison between District and outside agencies to generate support and develop partnerships
• Oversees, coordinates, and responds to requests for public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act
• Oversees, coordinates, and responds to requests for the filming and recording of District sites, students, and personnel
• Researches and interprets applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations in order to evaluate impact they will have on existing policies, procedures, and practices
• Composes and distributes communications to District staff related to new and/or revised laws, regulations, and procedures
• Establishes department budget and plans, monitors, and tracks expenditures
• Selects, trains, evaluates, and supervises staff
• Performs related duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE:
• Principles, practices, and trends of mass communication
• Principles, practices, and trends of marketing
• Principles, practices, and trends of public relations
• Principles, practices, and trends of crisis communication
• Principles, terminology, and trends of public education
• Principles of public policy development and the legislative process
• Principles of survey creation and data collection
• Principles and practices of planning and maintaining web-based content
• Trends in social media and audio/visual production
• Methods and equipment used in photography and video production
• Word processing, spreadsheet, and email software
• Video, photo, and audio editing software
• Desktop and web publishing software
• Principles of budget management
• Principles and practices of recordkeeping and maintaining documentation
• Principles and terminology of employment laws, codes, and regulations
• Principles and practices of employee supervision and evaluation
CORE COMPETENCIES:
• Attention to Detail – Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Customer Focus – Attending to the needs and expectation of customers
• Decision Making – Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Handling Stress – Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Influencing – Affecting or changing others' positions and opinions
• Innovation – Imagining and devising new and better ways of doing things
• Leveraging Technology – Applying technology for improvements in organizational efficiency and effectiveness
• Managing Performance – Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Oral Communication – Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Political & Organizational Savvy – Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries
• Professional & Technical Expertise – Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Project Management – Planning and tracking projects to ensure they are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
• Presentation Skill – Formally delivering information to groups
• Relationship Building – Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Writing – Communicating effectively in writing

SUPERVISION
Administrative direction is received from the Superintendent. Supervision is exercised over office, technical, and business service staff.