Communications & External Affairs Manager Job Description

Overview:

Reporting to the Assistant Principal, will set and guide the strategy for all communications

(including earned media, branding, website, social media, and organizational collateral) to

consistently articulate our mission and engage our stakeholders and the public. The

CEAM will significantly increase awareness of DESA and the organization at large with

relevant stakeholders and the public to ensure that DESA is viewed as the primary

reference and disseminator of information within our diverse constituency.

The CEAM will work closely with the Administrative Leadership Team, the Ellington Fund,

and Department Chairs within the organization as the communications partner on a

variety of strategic initiatives. The CEAM serves as the primary media contact for the

Duke Ellington School of the Arts and The Ellington Fund. This position helps promote

the performances and events of these two entities; as well as supporting the school

through media outreach, community outreach, and social media campaigns.

Primary activities of this position include:
• Manage website content generation and collaborating with leadership, faculty and staff;
• Establish and execute social media campaigns; oversee daily management and

engagement.
• Handle crisis communication responses and develop appropriate strategy.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key media and community

personnel.
• Assist in writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Manage internal communication platforms: Constant Contact, Handbook, Media Cast

and SharePoint.
• Work with contractors to fulfill communication and marketing needs; serve as POC for all

images and media content for the school.
• Sincere commitment to working collaboratively with all constituent groups, including

staff and board members, donors, and other supporters and collaborators.
• Weekly Newsletters to staff, students, parents, and donors (promoting upcoming events,

educational opportunities for students, admin updates, students & faculty achievements)

Other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities:
• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual communications plan across the

school's audiences in collaboration with Administrative Leadership Team,

Academic and Arts Department as well as The Ellington Fund
• Work with department chairs to approve and distribute event / performances flyers
• Put communications vehicles in place to create momentum and brand awareness,

as well as to test the effectiveness of communications activities
• Track and measure the level of engagement within all communication strategies

over time
• Cover events and provide marketing and digital packages to repost on Website

and social media.

Earned Media:
• Develop and manage all social media contacts and significantly improve DESA's

visibility beyond its immediate constituency through earned media and other PR

efforts.

Content Creation and Management:
• Lead the generation of online content that engages audience segments and leads

to measurable action. Decide who, where, and when to disseminate
• Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic

collateral including, but not limited to, newsletters, merchandise, press releases,

brochures, annual report, e-newsletters, social media postings, and websites
• Work with contractors (photographers, graphic designers, etc) for collateral &

merch.

Website/Social Media:
• Mentor and lead team members and vendors responsible for DESA's website

administration and coordination; working daily with all departments and the

webmaster to update the current website (Wix.com)
• Coordinate webpage maintenance - ensure that new and consistent information

(article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly
• Coordinate social media engagement - ensure that new and consistent

information is posted regularly