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Director of Strategic Communications

Cedar Rapids Community School District

Cedar Rapids, IA

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Board of Education, Business Strategy, Coaching, Communication Skills, Conferences, Content Development, Content Management Systems (CMS), Continuous Improvement, Digital Media, Editing, Engagement Marketing, Internet Video, Journalism, Leadership, Marketing, Marketing Campaign, Marketing Strategy, Mathematics, Messaging Technology, Newsletter, Operational Communications, Order Picking/Packing, Organizational Development/Management, Organizational Skills, Physical Demands, Power Amplifier, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Press Interviews, Press Releases, Problem Solving Skills, Project/Program Management, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Publications, Records Management, Regulatory Reports, Regulatory Requirements, Reporting Skills, Social Media, Spreadsheets, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Writing, Time Management, Vision Plan, Website Management
LOCATION
Cedar Rapids, IA
POSTED
3 days ago
Position Type:
Administration/Director

Date Posted:
5/29/2026

Location:
ELSC

Date Available:
July 1, 2026
POSITION TITLE: Director of Strategic Communications

CLASSIFICATION: Director

REPORTS TO: Chief Organizational Officer

The Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for engaging with executive leadership, staff, students, parents, community stakeholder groups, and media to conduct crisis communications and advance the Cedar Rapids Community School District's story as we realize our vision of Every Learner Future Ready. This position will also act as the Spokesperson who will further promote the strategies and belief systems of the district. The role also entails the management and communication of public records requests

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Strategic Communications and Engagement Leadership
  1. Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic counsel on communications, engagement, public confidence, and stakeholder relationships.
  2. Develop and execute a comprehensive districtwide communications, marketing, and engagement strategy aligned to the district's vision, strategic plan, and organizational priorities.
  3. Set strategic direction for messaging, tone, timing, and communication channels to ensure clarity, consistency, and coherence across all stakeholder groups.
  4. Lead internal and external communications efforts that strengthen understanding, trust, engagement, and confidence in the district.
  5. Advance the district's Care, Clarity, and Communication framework through transparent communication, meaningful engagement, responsive feedback systems, and consistent messaging.
  6. Design and oversee communication plans for major district initiatives, organizational changes, strategic priorities, and emerging issues.
  7. Develop and implement marketing campaigns that increase awareness, strengthen the district brand, support enrollment efforts, and showcase student, staff, and district successes.
  8. Identify, develop, and amplify compelling stories that highlight the unique strengths, opportunities, and impact of the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
Community Engagement and Public Relations
  1. Design and oversee meaningful stakeholder engagement processes, including listening sessions, community conversations, surveys, feedback systems, and public information efforts.
  2. Ensure stakeholder feedback is gathered, analyzed, communicated transparently, and used to inform decision-making.
  3. Support engagement opportunities for the Superintendent, Board of Education, staff, families, community partners, and other stakeholders.
  4. Serve as the district's primary media contact and spokesperson, building and maintaining strong relationships with local, regional, and national media.
  5. Lead all aspects of media relations, including media inquiries, interviews, press conferences, press releases, and proactive story placement.
  6. Strengthen public confidence in the district's direction, priorities, values, and commitment to students and families.
Communications Operations and Content Development
  1. Oversee the creation, publication, and distribution of high-quality communication content across print, digital, social media, video, web, and emerging platforms.
  2. Write, edit, and support speeches, presentations, talking points, correspondence, and executive communications for the Superintendent and district leadership.
  3. Ensure district websites, social media channels, newsletters, and communication platforms remain current, engaging, accessible, and aligned with district priorities.
  4. Manage public records requests and support transparency efforts in accordance with legal requirements and district procedures.
  5. Demonstrate exceptional writing, editing, project management, and organizational skills while balancing immediate communication needs with long-term strategic priorities.
Crisis Communications and Organizational Support
  1. Lead crisis communication planning, response, and recovery efforts to ensure accurate, timely, and coordinated communication during emergencies and sensitive situations.
  2. Provide communications leadership during complex, high-profile, or rapidly evolving situations while maintaining public trust and organizational credibility.
  3. Collaborate with district leaders to ensure alignment between executive decisions, operational realities, and stakeholder communication.
  4. Respond promptly and professionally to stakeholder concerns, questions, and complaints.
Leadership and Team Development
  1. Lead, develop, and support communications staff through shared leadership, delegation, coaching, and professional growth.
  2. Establish project management systems, workflows, and communication processes that promote effectiveness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  3. Balance the fast-paced demands of daily communications with long-term strategic planning and organizational priorities.
  4. Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
  1. Bachelor's Degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing, public relations, or similar field
  2. Five or more years of experience in communications or public relations, preferably in a public educational institution, with experience working with the news media as well as marketing
  3. Working knowledge of website content management systems and social media
  4. Competency working in a culturally diverse environment or the willingness to acquire these skills
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  1. Master's Degree in public relations, media, marketing, or related field
  2. Demonstrated successful experience in leading or managing a team

SALARY: $117,000

EMPLOYMENT DATE: July 1, 2026

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, reports, regulations, etc. Ability to effectively write reports and communications to administrators, colleagues, parents, students, and staff. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff, and students.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to use spreadsheets and reporting documents that assist with the computation of data.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret and implement a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, colleagues, community members, staff and students. Ability to speak clearly and concisely, both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, reports, regulations, etc. Ability to effectively write reports and communications to administrators, colleagues, parents, students and staff. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff and students.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to use spreadsheets and reporting documents that assist with the computation of data.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret and implement a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, colleagues, community members, staff and students. Ability to speak clearly and concisely, both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk and hear. The employee will frequently use their hands and fingers to type/word-process, file documents, manipulate papers, and operate a copying machine. The employee frequently must squat, stoop, or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 -24 inches, and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk while performing the duties of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, 0 - 12 feet, and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as office materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus while working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is often quiet but may become loud in large group settings. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that will require the employee to arrive and leave as directed and may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workday. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will be required to work occasionally in outdoor environments.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you or someone you know requires accommodation in the hiring process, contact the Department of Human Resources at 319-558-2747.

About the Company

C

Cedar Rapids Community School District