The Publications and Communications Manager at Boston Public Schools works on a wide range of projects to ensure the school district keeps internal and external audiences engaged and informed and engaged. As a member of the Communications team, the Publications and Communications Manager will be responsible for specific projects and contribute to the overall work of the department.

 

Boston Public Schools (BPS) produces several publications each year which communicate important updates to our students, families, staff, and community. These publications are produced in print and distributed throughout the city but are also designed to have a usable web presence. This position oversees all aspects of production of these publications, including creating content, collaborating with other departments, setting and keeping deadlines, managing printing contracts, and overseeing distribution.

 

The main documents produced annually include:

 

• Around BPS weekly newsletter for staff
• BPS Directory 
• BPS At a Glance fact sheet
• BPS Weekly Update newsletter students, families, and the community
• Budget book
• Discover BPS
• District calendar
• Guide to BPS for Students & Families
• Summer Stuff
• Summer book lists (with BPL & Library Services)

 

The ideal candidate will possess the technical skills for designing and preparing documents for print, project management skills for collaborating across all departments on tight timelines and holding peers accountable, and creativity and innovation to find new ways to deliver content to diverse audiences.

 

This position also has insight into all projects across the Communications team and will contribute to writing, editing, designing, shaping, sharing, and creating existing and new outreach tools to reach internal and external audiences. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Researching, designing, writing, editing, and distributing print and electronic publications for internal and external audiences, including BPS families, staff, partners, and the general public
• Producing, on deadline, major annual publications for families, including “Discover BPS” and “The Guide to the BPS for Families & Students,” in English and multiple languages by collaborating with other departments and content experts at BPS and external and holding those members accountable to deadlines
• Copyediting text so that it is family-friendly and easily accessible to the public, write and rewrite jargon-heavy text, making it as accessible as possible
• Ensuring that the “Guide to the BPS” and other BPS documents intended for families include content required for compliance with state and federal regulations pertaining to parent information
• Developing specifications for printing jobs and communicating well with print vendors
• Procuring printing vendor services and obtaining necessary bids in compliance with state procurement laws 
• Researching and producing district fact sheets and promotional pieces, including “BPS At a Glance.”
• Contributing to the writing of the Superintendent’s and the district’s external and internal communications, as well as copy-editing and formatting that material
• Updating and producing the annual district directory and maintaining related databases
• Maintaining, updating, and posting content (grammatically correct and accessible language) on the BPS website and maintaining the online staff directory
• Working with the translation staff to arrange for BPS publications to be printed in all the necessary languages and developing a workable production schedule
• Partnering with the Communications team on overall messaging and message-delivery to inform and engage the public including identifying new opportunities to communicate with diverse audiences

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, communications, marketing, or education, plus three years of experience in a related field.
• Current authorization to work in the United States – the candidate must have such authorization by their first day of employment.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

 

Required:

• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent writing and copy editing skills
• Excellent desktop publishing skills using the Adobe Creative Suite family of design applications, including InDesign, Acrobat Professional, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Knowledge of the printing business and experience working with vendors
• Ability to explain complex educational issues and district policies in jargon-free language that is accessible to families and the general public
• Ability to write for different audiences, especially families and translators
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative approach to working with others
• Ability to work independently and manage projects from development to completion
• Ability to work effectively in fast-­paced, high-pressure environments
• Experience with e-­marketing applications; Constant Contact preferred
• Excellent word-processing skills using Microsoft Word and Google Docs
• Familiarity with the Google family of applications and tools
• Expertise in database management using Excel, Filemaker Pro, and Google Sheets
• Ability to meet firm deadlines and deliver projects on time
• Familiarity with K-­12 urban educational issues

Preferred:

• Experience in web content management; working knowledge of HTML preferred

Terms: Managerial, B31. 

 

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.