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Title: Model Lab School Chief of Staff, Strategic Initiatives and Public Relations, P-12 Programs

Position Type: Model Staff & Faculty

Search Type: External - minimum 7 days

Department: 23R200 - P-12 Programming

Division: 3R0000 - P-12 Programming

Position Location: Richmond Campus

Driver Classification: Non-Driver

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule Type:  Full Time (37.5 hrs per week or more)

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Additional Schedule Details: Occasional night and weekend availability to attend events

Posted Salary Grade: Model Hourly - MH5

Retirement:   KTRS 

Contact Person: John Williamson

Job Summary/Basic Functions

The incumbent will serve as the Dean of P12 Programs Chief of Staff in representing and working directly with the university’s P12 Programs and Model Laboratory Schools leadership teams to carry out and ensure success in day-to-day and long term vision and mission; act as the key contact/communicator for internal and external audiences for P12 and district issues; and further the efforts and success of P12 programs through strategic initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: B.A., English, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing/Advertising, or closely related field

Experience: Minimum Experience Required:
• 3-5 Years of related work experienced

Licensure & Certifications: Possess or be eligible for teacher/adjunct certification in defined area

Preferred Qualifications:

Successful experience in the field of communication.
Skills:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic and crisis communications across multiple areas;
• Superb project management skills: an ability to prioritize and manage timelines for small and long-term projects;
• Detail oriented and solid organizational skills;
• Extensive computer knowledge – PC and MAC
• Standard office equipment.
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other specialized software, as required
• Video and photography devices
• Projection devices and display equipment

Job Duties:

• 30% - Public Relations • Serves as the strategic communications and public relations counsel to the Dean/Superintendent and top-level administration; • Works with the Dean/Superintendent and others to develop and produce written materials for public release. Composes correspondence on behalf of the Dean/Superintendent and others. Edits, reviews, and prepares correspondence and talking points for public relations press releases and interviews with the media • Researches, gathers, and compiles information in response to inquiries. Collects information from departmental managers and others. Verifies that the information provided is current and accurate; • Reviews and summarizes P-12 program data and research results. Identifies appropriate report publications and presentation forums for internal and external stakeholders; • Writes, edits, revises, and coordinates speeches, presentations, publications, and multimedia content—including bulletins, pamphlets, email announcements, proposals, planned print and online materials (e.g., annual report, course catalog, Fast Facts, enrollment books), intranet content, and videos—that promote the mission of Model Laboratory Schools and P-12 programs within Eastern Kentucky University; provides comprehensive communications support for all internal constituencies and special projects or events as assigned o Ensure that all communications and related materials are clear, informative, mission-aligned, support or drive key institutional goals and priorities, and reflect the P-12 mission and vision; o Engage school leadership in the creation and support of an annual mission-aligned plan that ensures effective engagement and communication with families, staff, faculty, alumni and other members of the P-12 community; o Support fellow leadership team members in their communications needs (including writing and creating presentations), to ensure timely, effective and consistent communications; o Collaborate with all stakeholders to coordinate, produce, and distribute clear and effective emergency, crisis, and incident-related communications; • In collaboration with members of leadership team oversee and update district student and faculty handbooks; • Work with the Superintendent to ensure that institutional priorities and values guide the overall P-12 program communications strategy and that communications are clear, informative, consistent, transparent, and mission-aligned; • Attend meetings and events, which may be scheduled on evenings and weekends, and maintain a presence in and awareness of the day-to-day life of the P-12 program; • Support the periodic production of school accreditation reports, the strategic plan, and the Annual Report. Lead communications strategy for short-term or one-off initiatives or special projects. - (Essential)
• 5% - Grant Writing • Partners with departments, schools, and/or community agencies on funding opportunities. Reviews program guidelines, application materials, and other relevant information for submitting completed applications; • Prepares proposals and grant applications for external funding, including writing letters of support, researching district, state demographics, and developing partnerships where necessary; - (Essential)
• 30% - Chief of Staff • Ensures that policies, procedures, and processes are aligned with state, national, and local statutes, regulations and best practice as well as the mission/vision of the school and university; and ensures that policies , procedures, and processes are communicated timely, accurately and consistently across documents and media and appropriately for different audiences and contexts • Leads the development, documentation, alignment, and communication of strategic plans; tracks, reports, and communicates progress of attaining the strategic plan; and develops and updates a dashboard for an at-a-glance and up-to-the minute view of status/progress. • Prepare agenda for executive leadership meetings and chairs the executive committees in the absence of the Dean/Superintendent; • Prepare reports; assure the completion of reports and interpretations of related data to promote effective decision making by executive staff, administration and the Dean/Superintendent; • Attend or participate in required meetings deemed necessary by the Superintendent in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional growth; • Organize, participate, schedule and manage priorities for Dean/Superintendent executive leadership team; • Meet regularly with and advise the Dean/Superintendent of unusual trends or problems and recommend appropriate corrective action; • Provides leadership and support in the assessment and tracking of progress toward the Dean/Superintendent’s goals, vision, and policies; organizes, coordinates, and directs work on special projects as assigned by the Superintendent to accomplish stated goals; • Serves as a key member of the Dean/Superintendent’s executive team; • Ensures that expectations and deadlines are clearly communicated to administrators and that issues that need the Superintendent’s attention are handled efficiently and in a timely manner; • Develops policy documents, communications, and recommendations for the Dean/Superintendent, and collaborates with school leadership to research, develop, and implement policy updates as needed to align with new legislation or legal mandates; • Sets the strategic direction of the Dean/Superintendent’s calendar to ensure that it aligns with state priorities, including vetting and evaluating requests from internal and external constituents; • Channels incoming correspondence directed to the Dean/Superintendent’s office to appropriate personnel for action or information; conserves the Superintendent’s time by reading, researching, and responding to correspondence and requests; • Receives and resolves concerns from staff, administrators, and the public in a timely manner, and serves as a liaison between the Superintendent’s Office and members of the community, families and staff; • Provides operational assistance by managing special projects and leading key initiatives, by resolving complex issues that require executive leadership and direction, by supporting the deliverables of the Dean/Superintendent, and by ensuring that expectations and deadlines are clearly communicated to staff; • Manage special assignments on a short-term basis and provide effective intervention in complex situations. Initiate and lead interdepartmental teams in analyzing specific issues or problems in developing strategies and recommendations to effectively address them; • Assess and manage sensitive issues that arise in the rapidly changing environment of the Dean/Superintendent’s Office where improper handling could have serious consequences for the school. Serve as the Dean/Superintendent’s two-way intermediary with departments, staff and community members; • Analyze, interpret and provide recommendations to the Dean/Superintendent concerning district issues and other matters; • Facilitate external relationships with community groups, policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders. Respond to inquiries, concerns and complaints regarding issues, programs, policies, and procedures in areas of responsibility; • Attend specified meetings between the Kentucky Department of Education and Superintendent; gathering, processing, providing and disseminating information to KDE officials or leadership team members as needed; • Perform other duties as determined by the Dean/Superintendent - (Essential)
• 15% - Teacher • Teach 1-2 classes in accordance with the Model Laboratory School Teacher job description • Serve as substitute for Superintendent’s class when duties require his absence - (Essential)
• 20% - Strategic Initiatives • Plan, execute and monitor strategic plan initiatives (e.g., AI, teacher recruitment, student recruitment, residential academy, history of Model artifacts, Model as a destination) • Lead the execution of key strategic initiatives • Strategic plan management and dashboard maintenance - (Essential)

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Funding Source: Institutional

Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions: For this type of employment, state law requires a national and state criminal history background check and a letter provided by the individual, from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services stating the applicant has no administrative findings of child abuse or neglect found through a background check of child abuse and neglect records maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Must meet job description requirements, including physical, such as standing, walking and being able to lift up to 40 pounds.

EEO Statement

Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts or any employment policy or practice.

Background Check Statement

Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.