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Achievement School District Seeks Chief Communications Officer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Nashville, TN's Achievement School District is seeking a Chief Communications Officer to join its dynamic and growing team. The right candidate will have a results-driven mindset, expertise in implementing effective communications campaigns, and the capacity to think strategically and communicate effectively.

The Chief Communications Officer will serve as a member of the Achievement School District Senior Executive team, contributing to key strategic decisions for the organization. This position reports to the ASD superintendent.

The position offers an exceptional opportunity to develop professionally, contribute meaningfully to a unique organization, and gain a deeper understanding of school turnaround. While experience in K-12 education is not a requirement, ASD is seeking people who are passionate and committed to K-12 education reform.

Overview of the Organization

In January 2010, the Tennessee legislature enacted the Tennessee First to the Top Act – the most sweeping education law passed in Tennessee in over two decades.  Among the most notable components of this new, bi-partisan legislation was the creation of the Achievement School District (“ASD” or “the district”), a wholly new division of the State‘s Department of Education.  The ASD is a key component of Tennessee’s strategy to address the persistently poor performance of many of its schools. 

Modeled after the Recovery School District in Louisiana, which took over the vast majority of poor performing schools in Tennessee after Hurricane Katrina, the ASD has the ability to take over and operate persistently poor performing schools and TN Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across the state. 

Further confirmation – and affirmation – of Tennessee’s bold vision for reforming public education for its school children has followed in the form of two substantial federal grants.  First, in March 2010, Tennessee was named as one of only two states to receive a grant award in the first round of the federal Race to the Top competition.  Notably, the state was awarded its full $500M request.   Next, in August and in partnership with Louisiana’s Recovery School District and New Schools For Tennessee, Tennessee’s Department of Education was awarded $30M in a highly competitive federal grant program designed to support and expand high-quality charter schools.  Almost  $3M from the award  will go directly to the ASD and over $5M will be allocated for new charter schools in Tennessee (particularly in Memphis and Nashville).    The grant was awarded as part of the Investing in Innovation program, commonly referred to as i3, which is designed to support the nation’s boldest reform plans.

Fueled by these historic developments, the ASD is a high-profile, critical component of Tennessee’s ambitious plan to dramatically transform education across the state and senior state officials are looking for a unique leader to drive and carry out this vision

Duties and Responsibilities of the Chief Communications Officer

Specifically, the Chief Communications Officer will:

  • Act as the ASD spokesperson
  • Build and manage the ASD brand
  • Develop and execute clear and efficient communications and marketing plans for ASD
  • Manage all ASD communications tools (website, newsletters, press releases, annual updates)
  • Develop and execute ASD’s social networking strategy
  • Develop internal ASD communications practices (e.g. style guides, document templates, etc)
  • Lead all community engagement efforts and activities
  • Cultivate relationships with key local and national media outlets to increase coverage of ASD
  • Manage all ASD constituent contacts and distribution lists;
  • Work with ASD staff to cultivate relationships with multiple stakeholders (e.g. funders, school leaders, political figures, etc)
  • Develop talking points for staff regarding key ASD activities and policies
  • Serve as point of contact during emergencies
  • Prepare annual reports and additional relevant reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency of ASD work and progress

Requisite Qualifications of the Chief Communications Officer

The successful candidate must have:

  • 7+ years of professional experience in public relations/communications
  • Direct experience in education, political communications or internal communications (preferred)
  • Demonstrate superior interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
  • Demonstrate extraordinary attention to detail
  • Demonstrate a high degree of initiative in resolving problems, and developing and implementing solutions in an independent manner
  • Demonstrated track record of success using multiple media channels
  • Ability to organize and prioritize work to meet concurrent deadlines
  • Excellent project management skills
  • Extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media
  • A track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output;
  • Demonstrated skill in media management and outreach
  • Strong ability to think strategically and creatively, and to create messages and materials that strike the right tone on complex issues
  • Flexibility and ability to lead and effect change in a fluid and entrepreneurial environment
  • Advanced computer skills (especially in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

The ideal candidate will also possess the following professional characteristics:

  • Professional knowledge of public charter schools
  • Professional knowledge of urban public education
  • Familiarity with Tennessee

Desired Personal Qualities/Working Style of the Chief Communications Officer

While no one person will possess all of the qualities below, the ideal candidate will also possess some combination of the following professional and personal characteristics:

  • A graduate degree
  • Entrepreneurial spirit
  • Grit and tenacity
  • Flexibility
  • Ability to work across historical “boundaries” to deliver success
  • Unrelenting focus on delivering results for all students

Compensation

The Chief Communications Officer salary is highly competitive and a generous benefits package is included. 

Ideal Start Date

As soon as possible.

Application Instructions

To be considered, please send a cover letter and resume to Ash Solar at ash.solar@tn.gov.

To learn more about Tennessee’s Department of Education and First to the Top initiative,please visit: http://www.tennessee.gov/education

 
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