Director of Communications

Kansas City Public Schools

Director of Communications

Job Title Code: 01790

Salary Grade: S664- Starting at $80,912

Department: Communications and Community Engagement

Reports To: Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date Prepared: July 2025

Position Summary:

The Director of Communications supervises and directs the workflow of the communications team, assigning tasks, facilitating interdepartmental communications, and managing internal and external communications for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS). This role is critical in conveying the role, objectives, accomplishments, and needs of KCPS to the district and community to foster understanding and support of the district’s mission and vision. The Director ensures the timely and accurate dissemination of information to various internal and external constituencies.

What You'll Be Doing: (Responsibilities)

- Strategic Communications Planning & Department Leadership:

- Lead the development and implementation of district-wide communications policies, procedures, and strategic plans.

- Design research-based marketing and public relations strategies that identify key stakeholders, messages, and tactics.

- Plan and manage the department budget, participating in budget sessions with Business and Finance as necessary.

- Lead customer service communications, including response protocols and resolution processes.

- Partner with departments and leadership to support events, campaigns, and cross-functional communications.

- Digital Presence & Content Oversight:

- Oversee website content and ensure timely, accurate updates across KCPS platforms.

- Collaborate with the Public Relations and Marketing teams to manage social media presence and content across platforms. (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn)

- Monitor website analytics and enrollment trends to inform digital strategy.

- Create and manage multimedia content for professional development, district programming, and public meetings.

- Manage KCPS-TV programming and digital signage across the district.

- Lead modernization of the district’s video library and YouTube platform.

- Stakeholder Engagement & Event Execution:

- Ability to manage complex and sensitive communication matters.

- Provide assistance and guidance for relevant, timely information to be shared with staff and the public.

- Work directly with the public and members of community groups on projects to enhance district visibility and support strategic goals.

- Provide training and support to staff on media and communications technology.

- Assist in troubleshooting and implementation of media technology.

- Plan and execute special projects and events, including Convocation, Graduations, Press Conferences, and KCPS Homeroom.

Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

To Be Successful at This Job, You'll Need To: (Qualifications)

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.

- Five (5) years of experience in public relations with an urban or public entity.

- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Previous experience with media relations.

Physical Demands: This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, and stoop, lift objects of at least ten pounds; visual ability requires mono and color vision.