Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Communications

Title: Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Communications

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr IV

Hiring Range: Up to $175,000 annually

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location: RICHMOND 306

Agency Website: doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Education is looking for an Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Communications to serve as the lead architect of the Virginia Department of Education’s public identity and strategic communications narrative. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role will be responsible for proactively shaping, driving, and executing a comprehensive communication strategy that advances the agency’s mission in partnership with local divisions and other state agencies.

The Assistant Superintendent is a high-level visionary who can translate complex state agency functions and policy goals into compelling narratives. They will serve as the primary bridge between the Superintendent’s office, the media, and the Commonwealth’s stakeholders—ensuring that our messaging is consistently aligned with our long-term strategic initiatives.

The Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Communications would be expected to:
•Design and steward a comprehensive, multi-year communications roadmap that establishes a clear, compelling public narrative for the agency and public education in the Commonwealth.
• Design and oversee daily workflow and priorities of communication staff, including creative services, social media, constituent services, website management, newsletter functions, and earned media.
• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the Superintendent as well as Chiefs and Deputies, providing high-level counsel on the intersection of public policy, stakeholder sentiment, and agency reputation.
• Meet with other VDOE department leaders to ensure their core functions, new initiatives and changes to policy and practice are clearly communicated within the context of the Agency’s mission.
• Collaborate with colleagues in state government and local school divisions to create and execute communications campaigns, initiatives and announcements.
• Manage unexpected reputational risks or urgent media inquiries that require executive-level intervention.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong reputation with press relations and media engagement.
• Documented success with performance management and overall team management.
• Knowledge and experience with statewide education communication strategy preferred.
• Experience in designing and executing stakeholder engagement series.
• Ability to design communications expectations for large scale organization.
• Deep expertise in overseeing government relations, school media relations, public media relations, and social media platforms.
• Excellent organization and communication skills.

Additional Considerations

• Comprehensive experience in communications and partner relations, including a high-capacity team in meeting deadlines with excellent work product.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Pursuant to Sections 2.2-3114 and 2.2-3115 of the Code of Virginia, the position of Deputy Superintendent of Assessment, Performance and School Improvement has been designated to file by the Code of Virginia, an annual “Statement of Economic Interests” form.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

A résumé will be accepted in lieu of a completed state application. Applications submitted via e-mail, postal service, fax or hand-delivered will not be considered. Successful candidates must pass a criminal background check. Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available. Final teleworking agreements will be reviewed and approved upon hire.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process. For assistance call: (804) 225-2021, [TTY: 786-8389]

It is the policy of the Commonwealth a