Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Fort Bend Independent School District
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Description
Description
Job Overview
The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for Fort Bend ISD's comprehensive communications, branding, and marketing initiatives. This role oversees internal and external communications, crisis and media relations, digital presence, and public engagement efforts to elevate the District's visibility, foster stakeholder trust, and support student success. The incumbent leads the development of systems, processes, and messaging that promote the District's mission and strategic goals.
The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for Fort Bend ISD's comprehensive communications, branding, and marketing initiatives. This role oversees internal and external communications, crisis and media relations, digital presence, and public engagement efforts to elevate the District's visibility, foster stakeholder trust, and support student success. The incumbent leads the development of systems, processes, and messaging that promote the District's mission and strategic goals.
Position Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Communications and Crisis Management
- Develop and implement a districtwide communications and marketing strategy aligned with the mission, vision, and goals of Fort Bend ISD.
- Lead in the development and execution of crisis and emergency communications in coordination with district leadership and safety teams
- Ensure consistent and effective messaging that keeps internal and external stakeholders informed and engaged.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and communication materials for the Superintendent and Board of Trustees.
- Stay current on best practices in communication, crisis response, enrollment, and media relations.
- Manage public relations initiatives to build and maintain the District’s reputation.
- Lead stakeholder engagement efforts and create opportunities for community ambassadorship.
- Represent the District at public events and foster collaborative relationships with community members.
- Promote a positive image of the District through strategic outreach and media management.
- Attend board meetings and occasional evening or weekend events as required.
- Represent the department and District, attend pertinent District and community functions, and network with community members
- Oversee the District’s brand strategy and visual identity to ensure consistency across platforms.
- Lead marketing efforts to support enrollment, community perception, and stakeholder engagement.
- Research, implement, and share innovative marketing techniques and monitor related metrics.
- Manage digital platforms, including the District website and social media channels, ensuring ADA compliance and brand alignment.
- Supervise and lead the Communications team, including staff responsible for media, public relations, branding, marketing, graphic design, video production, web content, and social media.
- Oversee the development of publications, digital content, newsletters, press releases, and speeches.
- Keep abreast of current research and best practices in effective communications, crisis communications, student attendance and enrollment, and media relations.
- Create written reports, presentations, and relevant information documents for the Superintendent and Board of Trustees
- Administer and manage department budget and ensure alignment with District strategic priorities
- Develop proposals for external funding to support District initiatives and communication strategies.
- Oversee employee recognition programs that reinforce a positive District culture.
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff
- Resolve staff problems and administer staff progressive discipline
- Lead recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding processes for departmental staff.
- Supervise and evaluate staff, resolving concerns and administering progressive discipline when necessary in alignment with Human Resources Protocols and Procedures.
- Support staff development through coaching and training on public relations and communications practices.
- Maintain a collaborative, responsive work environment despite frequent interruptions and high demands.
Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.
The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.
Additional Information
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, or digital media, other related field, required
- Master's degree preferred
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in strategic communications, or public relations, required
- Minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience in education or government, preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of experience marketing, preferred
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong leadership, management, and strategic planning abilities and effective communication
- Proficiency in media relations, crisis communications, and digital marketing
- Demonstrated ability to plan, supervise and evaluate the work of other professionals
- Strong editing, administrative, organizational, project management and computer skills
- Strong problem-solving and organizational skills with attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills, both orally and in writing, including preparing reports, preparing, editing and presenting formal oral presentations
- Deep understanding of branding, social media strategy, and public engagement
- Ability to manage and execute multiple projects and deadlines
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.
The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.
Additional Information
- The position primarily involves those physical activities found in an office setting, such as sitting, walking, bending, reaching, operating a computer, and communicating by telephone. The position requires effective public speaking abilities. The position also requires considerable local and moderate distance travel and the ability to drive a car. The position requires working unusual hours, e.g., attendance at School Board meetings and other evening activities. The incumbent may be required to respond to unexpected events and communications at any time or day, e.g., disasters such as fires, criminal actions, or other issues requiring immediate attention. The position is “high profile,” and may be responsible for handling highly emotional or potentially dangerous individuals, as well as highly charged public situations such as irate community groups or the press.
Primary Location: TEXAS-SUGAR LAND
Work Locations: ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 16431 LEXINGTON BLVD. SUGAR LAND 77479
Job: District/Campus Leadership
Organization: DEPARTMENT
Position Calendar: 238JUL
School Year:2024-2025
Salary Grade: 209
Unposting Date: Jun 6, 2025, 11:59:00 PM