Job Description

THE ROLE

You are a lead strategist and partner to senior leaders across the organization at the regional and national level. Working in partnership with a portfolio of about ten regions, you develop a proactive cross-channel strategy that defines and promotes the impact of TFA locally and to our network. As part of this work, you also surface compelling stories for consideration on national earned and owned platforms. You execute on earned media, provide rapid response capabilities that maximize opportunities and mitigate risk, and support regional staff to be brand and culture ambassadors. You are well positioned to identify trends in marketing and communications needs, opportunities, and best practices. Leveraging this perspective you provide insight and counsel to the executive directors and regional communications colleagues you work with as well as the executive director managers in your portfolio. You also work in partnership with your colleagues on Teach For America’s national External Affairs team, whose work is informed by the communications and public affairs work taking place in the communities where TFA works.

THE PERSON

Support and build capacity for an integrated, cross-channel strategy at the regional level

• Work with the executive director and regional staff members doing channel-specific work to develop an annual cross-channel communications plan for each region in your portfolio that:

  
  
  
  

  • Leverages audience and channel insights to ensure the region is well positioned to deliver user-first content across earned and owned platforms.

  
  

  • Dovetails with national content strategy and digital strategy and includes amplification plans for earned and owned content.

  
  

  • Includes key messages that are aligned with national narrative and customized to local context.

  
  

  • Supports the region’s overarching vision and operational objectives.

  
  

  • Positions Teach For America’s relevance and impact in a local context.

  
  

  • Mitigates risk.

  
  
  
  

Counsel and execution on earned media and public affairs

• Develop and advise on public affairs strategy for high-stakes, high profile efforts such as state funding, contract renewal, and new district partnerships.




• Serve as on the record spokesperson and prep regional leaders, surrogates, and corps members and alumni for media engagement.




• Develop or oversee the development of written content intended for publication or use with the media (i.e. op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points, high stakes internal communications and digital content).




• Develop and maintain relationships with local reporters and editorial boards.




• Liaise with other national teams to align and share guidance, messaging, and information relevant to your regional portfolio.




• Provide cross-regional guidance and perspective to Regional Field Executives, regional Executive Directors, Public Partnerships, and External Affairs colleagues.

Build a robust regional communications infrastructure

• Provide counsel and Communications and Public Affairs developed resources and learning and development opportunities to regional staff responsible for executing components of the communications strategy (media engagement, social media, website, constituent communications).




• Lead regular check-ins with executive directors and/or other regional communications points of contact.




• Establish a local process for navigating crisis communications, aligned with Teach For America’s crisis communication framework.




• Ensure that corps members and staff understand TFA’s media protocol.




• Partner with regional teams to establish a bench of prepared spokespeople including corps members, alumni, regional supporters and community champions, etc.




• Cultivate relationships with district communications contacts and other key communications partners.




• Partner with regional staff to develop a review process to ensure communications are aligned with regional strategy and on message.




• Track media contacts and engagement in TFACT, our constituent relationship management database.

Contribute to a dynamic, supportive, and effective team

• Consistently share observed trends and successful practices in communications and public affairs across regional and team structures to facilitate learning and continuously improve regional and national ability to maximize opportunities and minimize risk.




• Share compelling local stories with External Affairs colleagues for further amplification.




• Actively build a positive team culture through frequent, thoughtful engagement in team dialogue and activities.




• Celebrate accomplishments and important milestones.




• Offer constructive feedback and welcome the perspective of others.




• Participate in learning and development opportunities to strengthen knowledge of resources and strategies.




• Contribute to a positive and supportive team culture aligned to our core values .

THE MUST HAVES

Prior Experience

• 5-10 years of related work experience (e.g., formal communications, journalism, political or education roles required).




• Previous experience in communications strategy development and implementation.




• Previous experience managing crisis communications.




• Previous experience working with members of the media.




• Experience working with senior organizational leaders and ability to inspire and influence others.




• Track record of achieving ambitious goals.




• Experience in the education sector.

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree is great to have, but we are more interested in your total experience and achievements throughout your professional career.

Work Demands

• Travel (when it resumes) approximately once per month




• Typical work days are 8-10 hours; some evening and weekend work may be necessary.




• Strong alignment with, passion for, and commitment to TFA’s mission and values.

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.




• Communicates complex ideas clearly and accessibly.




• Strong knowledge and understanding of current media trends.




• Ability to influence others and manage laterally to outcomes




• Motivated by simultaneously managing multiple projects while maintaining a meticulous grasp of individual project details.




• Knack for influencing others toward outcomes through sophisticated relationship management.




• Ability to think big, generate ideas and implement solutions to complex problems in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.




• Ability to make timely decisions and demonstrate good judgment.

THE TEAM

Teach For America’s Regional Communications and Public Affairs team works in partnership with colleagues on TFA regional teams and the national external affairs team, developing integrated communications and public affairs strategies that are relevant to the communities where we work, executing against earned media, crisis communications and high stakes public affairs priorities. We ensure that key audiences understand Teach For America’s vision for educational equity, and are inspired to partner with TFA to expand opportunities for children across the country and achieve our mission. We invest in an organization wide communications and public affairs learning agenda to grow brand stewardship and build capacity of comms and public affairs practitioners.

THE PERKS

By joining staff , you join a network of individuals committed to pursuing equity for all students and developing themselves as professionals in the process. We as an organization value the longevity of our employees and offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan. The salary for this position is also competitive and depends on your prior work experience. Please be advised, you will have an opportunity to discuss salary in more detail after you begin the application process.

NEXT STEPS

Interested in this position? Apply now! Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Apply. If you still have questions regarding the role, feel free to contact our recruitment team at StaffHiring@teachforamerica.org or visit www.teachforamerica.org/about-us/careers

Colorado Residents : If you are based in Colorado, please click here for total rewards information.