The National Writing Project (NWP) is a nationwide network of educators working together to improve the teaching of writing in the nation's schools and in other settings. NWP provides high-quality professional development programs to teachers in a variety of disciplines and at all levels, from early childhood through university. Founded in 1974 at the University of California, Berkeley, NWP today is a network of more than 200 university-based sites located in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Co-directed by faculty from the local university and K-12 schools, each NWP site develops a leadership cadre of teachers through an invitational summer institute, and designs and delivers customized professional development programs for local schools, districts, and higher education institutions. NWP sites serve more than 130,000 participants annually, reaching millions of students.

For more information, visit www.nwp.org.

Position Description

The Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that will increase the visibility and impact of the National Writing Project. As a member of the management team and the cabinet, the director of strategic communications will take the lead in working with the executive director and the other members of the management team and with communication professionals throughout the organization to develop coordinated, strategic, effective strategies to promote and position the organization and its key programs and initiatives

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Communications Unit, and provide guidance to communication professionals throughout NWP who have responsibilities for print, web and social media content, and coordinate key communications for the executive director.
• Advise the executive director, deputy director and other members of the cabinet on managing critical issues that have a communications or media component, and on current issues and developments that might provide communications opportunities for promoting NWP's mission and agenda.
• Create a strong team of communicators within the NWP organization and provide mechanisms for sharing information routinely and seamlessly. Includes convening regular meetings of communications and communications-related staff to address high-level communications issues and to ensure consistency of key messages and priorities
• Oversee media relations, including outreach and response, and develop strong relations with key journalists in selected media.
• Provide high-level guidance in the selection and oversight of outside designers, writers, publishers, public relations specialists and others who may be engaged on a contract basis.
• Work with colleagues in the NWP network, in peer institutions and other alliances that further the mission and interests of NWP.
• Develop and manage the Communications Unit budget.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan, monitor, and implement strategic communications in a complex, decentralized, and highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, write effectively and imaginatively, and lead a team of communications professionals in executing a well-planned communications agenda, including tracking the results of such efforts.
• Strong experience with contemporary media, including the digital environment and social media, to further the impact and visibility of the organization.
• Excellent organizational and managerial skills, including the ability to help staff and colleagues work well in an evolving organization.
• Ability to promote excellent interpersonal and collaborative relationships with a diverse group of colleagues within the organization.
• Well-informed of best practice in public relations, marketing, and new media, as well as of current trends in literacy education; ability to translate that understanding into successful strategic positioning for NWP.
• Broad familiarity with the field of education highly desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years experience in communications or public relations.
• Bachelor's degree required.

How to apply: Submit your cover letter and resume to http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/doc/about/employment_job_description?id=65. 

Deadline to apply: May 20, 2010