New York City Department of Education is hiring: Chief of Communications, DECE i

Position Type: Administrative and Central Office

Office Title/Functional Title: Chief of Communications, DECE - 24603

Civil Service Title: Administrative Staff Analyst

Level: G7

Division/Office: Division of Early Childhood Education

Borough: Manhattan

Posting End Date: 11/11/2024

This position is in a civil service competitive class that is subject to examination. Position is only open to current DOE employees with permanent NYC civil service status as Administrative Staff Analyst or permanent in an equivalent title that is eligible for transfer under 6.1.9 to Administrative Staff Analyst. This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a program.

Description:

Position Summary: The Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) supports the operational and programmatic functions of early childhood education programs for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) children in elementary schools, Pre-K Centers, and NYCPS contracted settings included in Community Based Organizations (CBO) and through Family Child Care (FCC) programs. DECE provides families with access to high-quality early childhood options, for children birth to five, in rich diverse settings, supporting children’s growth and development. Working together with families and programs, DECE ensures that children are engaged, nurtured and supported.

The Chief of Communications is responsible for overseeing and managing the Communications for the Division of Early Childhood Education, and for driving effective communication, including marketing and strategies that support the successful execution of the mission, vision, and overall goals of DECE. The Chief ensures effective management of sensitive, urgent, or timely communications and escalations, and operates with discretion and sound judgment. The Chief will build strong relationships with key partner teams that oversee, support, or provide publicly funded early childhood educational services. The Chief will serve as a thought partner to divisional leadership and engage in strategic planning around communications with relevant teams in DECE. The Chief of Communications serves as the Division’s primary liaison for communication initiatives with other NYCPS offices, relevant City agencies, and key partners. Performs related work.

Reports to: Deputy Chancellor for Early Childhood Education

Direct Reports: Senior Director of Communications and Senior Director of Marketing

Key Relationships: Oversees a team of full-time staff and works closely with DECE senior leaders to manage and implement high-priority initiatives and to facilitate communication across the agency and externally. Maintains strong relationships with the NYCPS Press Office and Intergovernmental Affairs team, as well as with relevant offices in City Hall and partner agencies. Works closely with external partners, such as early childhood advocacy groups.

Responsibilities

Internal Communications

• Streamline Communication Across DECE: Oversee internal communications to ensure consistent messaging, alignment with the Deputy Chancellor’s vision, and efficient dissemination across all teams and functions.
• Tone and Tenor Alignment: Ensure internal communications reflect the tone and strategic priorities of the Deputy Chancellor, fostering a unified approach to executing DECE’s mission.
• Systematic Management: Manage the storage and accessibility of internal communications through SharePoint, ensuring materials are systematically updated and available to staff.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Facilitate effective communication between DECE departments, fostering collaboration to drive the achievement of organizational goals.

External Communications

• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including early childhood advocacy groups, government agencies, and community partners, to enhance the visibility of DECE’s work and promote key initiatives.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Oversee the execution of public awareness and enrollment campaigns to promote early childhood education programs, including NYC Reads, across the city.
• Crisis and Media Communications: Lead DECE’s "rapid response" support for press inquiries and public-facing issues, ensuring timely and accurate communication in collaboration with NYCPS Press Secretary and Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) teams.
• Legislative Advocacy: Partner with the NYCPS’s IGA and external partners to advance DECE’s legislative agenda, ensuring alignment with the division’s policy priorities.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop Communication Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of DECE’s comprehensive communication strategy, ensuring internal and external messaging is cohesive, clear, and aligned with the Deputy Chancellor’s goals. Support the Deputy Chancellor’s internal and external communication activities by drafting speeches and approving reports, press releases, presentations, and social media posts.
• Content Management: Establish the guidelines and oversee the creation of media content, including blog posts, feature articles, interviews, presentations, and other types of PR content that increases awareness about DECE programs and services. Work directly with graphic designers and digital agencies to ensure all deliverables align with the overall communications strategy and branding guidelines.
• Project Management: Develop project plans and timelines for communication initiatives, monitoring progress and adjusting strategies to meet key milestones throughout the year.
• Team Leadership: Manage the Communications team, providing guidance and ensuring high standards of communication across DECE. Prepare the Deputy Chancellor and other DECE senior leaders for media interviews.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum:

• A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, public health, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, and two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; or in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; or in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management. Eighteen (18) months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory capacity. Supervision must have included supervising staff performing professional work in the areas described above; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in the areas described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above.
• An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above.
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and eight years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above.
• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” above. College education may be substituted for professional experience at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma and at least two years of experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above.

Preferred:

• Strong detail orientation; works collaboratively and cross-functionally and is interested in many aspects of early childhood education policy.
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills, as well as an established level of comfort when analyzing and presenting data to senior leaders.
• Strong presentation skills; able to organize and present facts and figures in a clear, concise and logical manner, both spoken and written.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; experience in building relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Experience working in government and/or liaising with Intergovernmental Affairs and Press offices; keen political sensitivity and awareness, especially within New York City.
• Ability to develop strategic plans that meet organizational objectives and goals.
• Flexible, optimistic approach committed to overcoming obstacles; thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit; able to work independently when given clear goals and timelines.
• Experienced team manager.

Salary: $186,848 - $205,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non-Discrimination Policy: The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.