Director of Communications

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders (PASL) is a nonprofit organization that provides quality programming that engages, develops, and supports transformative K–12 educational leaders who authentically embrace equity, inclusion, and educational excellence for every child in Philadelphia. 

Our fundamental belief is that Philadelphia’s principals and school system leaders change students’ lives. Through an investment in results-driven leadership development experiences,​ PASL empowers individuals to drive student outcomes and advance equity in Philadelphia’s district, charter, and faith-based schools.​

PASL’s programming is designed to serve educational leaders throughout all stages of their careers. Our flagship experience, the Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership, provides proven principals with the resources and guidance to sharpen their leadership capacities. The Fellowship is a transformative two-year experience that develops critical leadership skills needed to elevate school performance and student outcomes in their schools and across the city. Fellows receive best-in-class professional development and build relationships with a network of outstanding peers who share strategies and problem-solve with one another.

Once Neubauer Fellows complete the two-year Fellowship, PASL offers them, as Neubauer Fellowship alumni, or Senior Fellows, ongoing professional development opportunities to fortify their leadership skills. Senior Fellows are invited to various events and professional development sessions in support of their work and in response to challenges and trends in Philadelphia education; formats include daylong Senior Fellow Institutes, yearlong learning arcs such as the Black Educator Pipeline and Breakthrough Results Collaborative, and programming developed for those advancing beyond the principalship into systems leadership such as Leaders of Leaders.

The organization also offers leadership development for early career principals, most recently via the Instructional Leadership Academy programming facilitated in 2023-2024, and ongoing cross-sector and cross-operational workshops focused on systemic change.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Communications is responsible for the strategic development and execution of PASL’s comprehensive communications plan. This position is both strategist and storyteller. The Director will focus on effective communication with key internal and external stakeholders, creating efficient and engaging ways to streamline and share the organization’s message. The Director will partner with the full PASL team to ensure consistent messages, identify and share case studies and promising practices, and convey impact. The Director will work closely with – and directly report to – the Executive Director to elevate PASL’s profile in the Philadelphia region as well as nationally while also supporting its development needs as a nonprofit.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Communications’ responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Communication Strategy

·       Establish and drive a cohesive multichannel communications strategy for PASL

·       Manage organization voice and brand standards, ensuring adherence to these and other communications protocols

·       Develop and manage annual communications/content calendar

·       Track effectiveness of communications activities and use data to inform strategy

Consistent, Compelling Narrative

·       Craft and deliver a compelling, inspiring narrative about PASL’s work, mission, and results, rooted in data and impact

o   Create clear, consistent, compelling messages as the foundation for all communications

o   Combine data with storytelling to highlight successes and communicate impact

·       Develop effective collateral that clearly conveys who we are, what we do, why it is important, and results

o   Create organizational overview, program materials, annual report, and impact briefs

o   Maintain organizational website, regularly updating all content and imagery and keeping news, features, and events current

o   Build a content bank to highlight case studies, promising practices, and successes

o   Maintain an updated library of photography that reflects Philadelphia’s schools and highlights the work of PASL program participants

Stakeholder Engagement

·       Prepare, manage, and coordinate participant, partner, board, and funder communications, including e-newsletters and formal email updates, session and event preparation documents, meeting materials, annual report, stewardship letters and materials, grant requests, and more

·       Create consistent and efficient processes for ongoing communications with key stakeholders

·       Develop and coordinate communications touchpoints to cultivate/maintain relationships and optimize stakeholder experience, understanding, and engagement

·       Engage program participants in an authentic process that encourages them to be active ambassadors for PASL

·       Create and implement an effective communications vehicle that engages program participants in the sharing of best practices for scaled adoption and implementation

·       Draft/support and distribute/promote leadership communications on behalf of senior leadership

Public Relations

·       Elevate the organization’s profile and work by coordinating thought leadership among senior executives

·       Establish and maintain relationships with relevant local, regional, and national press to secure impactful media opportunities and successfully deployed press releases

·       Serve as the primary press contact for PASL

·       Craft and deliver crisis communications (strategies, statements, talking points, etc.) as needed

·       Create and implement a social media strategy to increase digital presence, viewership, and engagement

Project Management

·       Identify and coordinate with outside communications professionals on any needed joint efforts

·       Partner with the full PASL team to identify and share anecdotes, case studies, and impact

·       Prepare and manage annual communications budget and timelines

Staff Management

·       In partnership with PHENND, manage and develop the organization’s PHENND AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow, a yearlong contract position placed to support nonprofit and educational organizations in addressing current needs

Additionally, the Director of Communication will fulfill any other responsibilities as needed or assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies and attributes:

• Passionately believe that all students can achieve at high levels
• Communicate effectively in both written and verbal communication
• Tailor message for audience, context, and mode of communication
• Demonstrate excellent, detail-oriented proof reading and editing skills
• Combine data and storytelling
• Build positive relationships and effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Maintain a service orientation
• Exhibit a strong focus on goals and results – including a track record of meeting or exceeding goals – and hold self personally accountable

·       Demonstrate ability to successfully plan, organize, and lead complex initiatives

• Demonstrate excellent project management and execution – work efficiently, maintain attention to detail, manage timelines, and is able to multi-task, adapt, and balance requests from many stakeholders
• Develop and improve organizational processes
• Exhibit proactive and forward thinking with an ability to be nimble and responsive

·       Demonstrate proven interest in implementing innovative technologies, processes, and ideas

·       Maintain a positive attitude, flexibility, and humor

The ideal candidate will have the following experience:

·       A minimum of 5-7 years of communications experience

·       Experience:

• Managing multiple stakeholder groups and crafting nuanced messaging for each
• Creating communications cadence/sequencing for organizations

·       Undergraduate degree in communications, journalism, English, or related field

• Outstanding written, verbal, and editing skills including a comprehensive knowledge of AP Style

·       Awareness of – and proficiency with – communications technologies, including social media platforms and content management systems (WordPress)

• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office and Google-based applications

·       Familiarity with Philadelphia and both its media and civic landscape

·       Relationships in education and/or the nonprofit environment is a plus

COMPENSATION

Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent health care for employees, generous paid time off, supportive work and family benefits, professional development opportunities, and more. Compensation is competitive and based on experience. 

Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information about PASL, please visit our website at phillyschoolleaders.org.