Chief of Staff and Strategic Communications Officer

CAMDEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chief of Staff and Strategic Communications Officer

Position Summary

The Chief of Staff and Strategic Communications Officer serves as a senior executive advisor to the Superintendent and provides leadership for strategic planning execution, communications, external affairs, partnership development, and cross-functional coordination of district priorities.

This role operates as an extension of the Superintendent's Office, translating vision into action, aligning organizational work, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and advancing high-priority initiatives that improve outcomes for students and schools.

The Chief of Staff also leads districtwide strategic communications, ensuring that messaging, public engagement, and storytelling are coherent, proactive, and aligned to district priorities. This position plays a critical role in executive coordination, partnership development, public engagement, and the successful implementation of Superintendent-led initiatives.

Certification Requirements (NJDOE-Aligned)

In accordance with:

• N.J.A.C. 6A:9B (as applicable)

Required:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in communications, public administration, public policy, organizational leadership, education leadership, journalism, business administration, or a related field

Preferred / Additional Qualifications:

• Advanced degree preferred

Qualifications

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible executive-level experience in communications, strategic planning, government relations, public affairs, organizational leadership, or a related field
• Minimum five (5) years of successful leadership experience managing teams, complex projects, and cross-functional initiatives
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives or serving in a Chief of Staff, executive leadership, strategy, or communications role, preferred
• Significant experience in strategic communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and public messaging
• Experience cultivating and managing partnerships with community organizations, higher education institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and/or private sector partners
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects from planning through implementation in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
• Exceptional writing, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong political and organizational acumen, sound judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive matters
• Experience developing and managing digital, visual, and multimedia communications content across print, web, video, and social media platforms preferred

Core Responsibilities

Chief of Staff / Executive Leadership Support

Serves as a strategic advisor to the Superintendent and lead executive coordination of district priorities.

• Advise the Superintendent on strategic priorities, emerging issues, and organizational initiatives
• Support development, implementation, and monitoring of strategic plans and Superintendent-led initiatives
• Coordinate executive-level planning and follow-through across departments
• Facilitate Cabinet coordination and cross-functional alignment
• Lead and manage special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the Superintendent
• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, reports, and correspondence
• Support organizational problem-solving and issue management
• Monitor progress on major initiatives and ensure accountability

Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

Lead the district's comprehensive communications strategy and public engagement efforts.

• Oversee internal communications, public information, media relations, and executive messaging
• Manage district branding, publications, digital communications, and public-facing content
• Serve as strategic communications advisor and spokesperson, as designated
• Develop proactive messaging strategies that build trust and highlight district success
• Lead crisis and issues communication planning in coordination with district leadership
• Oversee preparation of speeches, talking points, and public messaging for the Superintendent
• Direct multimedia communications, including social media, graphic design, video production, and digital storytelling

Partnership Development and External Relations

Lead the development and management of strategic partnerships that support district priorities.

• Cultivate relationships with universities, civic organizations, businesses, philanthropy, and government agencies
• Identify opportunities to expand resources, innovation, and external supports
• Coordinate external affairs strategies and interagency collaboration
• Represent the district in partnerships and collaborative initiatives, as assigned

Organizational Strategy and Special Initiatives

Support systemwide planning, innovation, and execution of key initiatives.

• Oversee Superintendent-led projects from concept through implementation
• Lead or support innovation and organizational improvement efforts
• Conduct strategic research, policy analysis, and executive planning
• Coordinate responses to complex or high-impact issues requiring cross-department collaboration

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

Strengthen engagement with families, community stakeholders, and external partners.

• Support transparent, responsive communication with stakeholders
• Coordinate outreach tied to strategic initiatives and community priorities
• Strengthen relationships with families, civic leaders, and community organization

Cross-Functional Alignment

Ensure alignment across departments to support district priorities.

• Coordinate work across Instruction, Talent, Data, and Operations
• Ensure strategic initiatives are aligned and executed effectively
• Support systemwide coherence and organizational effectiveness

Supervision and Team Leadership

Provide leadership and oversight for assigned staff and functions.

• Supervise communications, partnerships, and strategic initiatives staff
• Establish clear expectations and accountability structures
• Support staff development and performance

Other Duties

Perform such other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee in accordance with law and regulation.

Accountability Measures

The Chief of Staff and Strategic Communications Officer is directly accountable for:

• Effective execution of Superintendent priorities and strategic initiatives
• Quality and impact of district communications and public messaging
• Strength of partnerships and external relationships
• Alignment and coordination across departments
• Responsiveness to stakeholder and community needs
• Alignment of data systems to district priorities and student outcomes

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Executive Judgment and Decision-Making
• Organizational and Political Acumen
• Communications and Public Affairs Leadership
• Partnership Development and Relationship Management
• Systems Thinking and Change Management
• Project Management and Execution
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication
• Integrity, Discretion, and Solutions-Oriented Leadership
   

Physical Demands:
The following physical demands are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

• Sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear for extended periods for various tasks.
• Use hands and arms to reach, handle, and operate tools, computers, or controls.
• Lift and carry items necessary for job performance.
• Use close, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and adjust focus as needed.

Environmental Demands:

The following environmental conditions are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.

• Possible exposure to a range of childhood and adult illnesses.
• Occasional exposure to varying weather conditions.
• Work performed in heated, air-conditioned, ventilated facilities.
• Moderate to high at times, noise level especially during school hours, assemblies or events.
• Frequent interruptions from calls, walk-ins and urgent requests.
• Possible exposure to cleaning agents, instructional materials, and equipment-related chemicals.

Terms of Employment

Twelve-month position. Salary, benefits, and conditions of employment shall be in accordance with Board policy and applicable agreements.

Evaluation

Performance shall be evaluated annually in accordance with Board policy, administrative regulations, and district leadership procedures.

Reports To: State District Superintendent

Supervises:
Communications and Public Information staff, Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Development personnel, Executive Support staff, and Special Projects staff as assigned

Work Year: Twelve (12) Months

Classification: Non-Affiliated Administrator

Minimum Starting Salary: $150,000.00

Maximum Starting Salary: $200,000.00

Residency Requirement

Under New Jersey's "New Jersey First Act" (N.J.S.A. 52:14-7), all employees of New Jersey public school districts must maintain bona fide New Jersey residency as a condition of employment. Candidates must already reside in New Jersey or establish residency within the required timeframe after hire. Current employees who were hired on or before September 1, 2011 are exemptfrom this requirement and may continue to reside outside the state. In limited circumstances, applicants may request a residency waiver through the state's Employee Residency Review Committee if they can demonstrate critical need or hardship; approval is not guaranteed.

THE CAMDEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER 

(Pending availability of funds and Superintendent's approval)