POSITION SUMMARY The Communications Director is primarily responsible for developing the Network's brand and communications strategy to support its broader strategic direction and positioning. The Communications Director will set and guide the strategy for all communications and public relations messaging and consistently articulate the mission of the Albany Charter School Network. The Communications Director will help schools message the mission, and manifest the message so that students across the Network can show up and do well, both in learning and in life. ABOUT THE NETWORK The Albany Charter School Network (the "Network") is a member-based, network of charter schools in the City of Albany that is focused on choice, quality, reliability and growth. Choice: Providing a variety of K-12 educational options that meet the needs and promote engagement in the learning process for all Capital Region families. Quality: Delivering excellent teaching and learning, and general school operations, through superior execution of research-based practices. Reliability: Achieving high levels of student performance with low variability in academic and operational delivery within and between schools. Growth: Ensuring personal, academic, and professional growth for the Network community stakeholders and the Albany area as a whole. COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION DETAILS Develop the Network's brand and communications strategies under the guidance of the Chief Executive Officer. Manage brand and communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the Network's brand reputation. Identify key partners and influence brokers within the brand and communications constituent communities and leverage influence to build a sustainable support base for the Network. Put communications vehicles in place to create momentum and awareness, as well as test the effectiveness of communication activities. Assist the Chief Executive Officer in mobilizing Network and school staff and Boards to serve key roles in support of brand and communications initiatives. Work with third party brand and communications representatives/consultants to create school-related multimedia campaigns for parents, staff, students, and other stakeholders, ensuring accurate, accessible, and timely communication. Track local and national press to examine charter school analysis and trends, assessing the extent to which the Network and its schools are receiving representative, appropriate, and competitive coverage, relative to other public and private school counterparts. Review Network and school brand and communications documents, strategic plans, policies, procedures, systems, and activities to evaluate alignment and continuity. Provide professional development and feedback to Network and school leaders, Boards, and staff on how to communicate, engage, and interact with parents, staff, students, community, media, and other stakeholders. Maintain primary responsibility for Network and school-level varied and integrated brand and communications products and services including: newsletters and other print publications; web, e-news and other online communications; media and communications; and marketing. Serve as an ambassador for the Network, and its schools, and manage relationships with the press and relevant school stakeholders, to drive broader awareness and support for the organization.