Senior Communications Specialist

Are you motivated to create brighter futures for students, families, and the entire community? If so, we want you on Team CCIU! At the CCIU, we pride ourselves on the creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit that our employees bring to their work every day, and we know that achieving success together takes a team approach!  We strive to hire exceptional, diverse, and passionate individuals that help us achieve our vision of acting as educational leaders who contribute to a better Chester County and beyond. If you are looking for an exciting, challenging opportunity to grow your career, don’t wait – apply today to make Team CCIU even stronger tomorrow!

The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist within the Communications, Marketing, and Engagement Division. In this unique dual-capacity role, the Senior Communications Specialist serves as the first point of contact to address and fulfill the communications needs of assigned school districts, providing independent communication, public relations, and marketing services. Concurrently, the Specialist works alongside senior-level leadership at the IU, supporting strategic communications initiatives and fostering collaboration across the organization.

Responsibilities include leading the development and dissemination of communication materials, managing district-level press releases, coordinating media coverage, and maintaining district websites and social media accounts. When assigned to a district, the Specialist acts as the primary liaison with local media, facilitates public relations initiatives, and oversees crisis communication efforts to ensure consistent and timely messaging. Additionally, the Senior Communications Specialist collaborates with district and IU leadership to support marketing campaigns, advance key initiatives, and enhance the district’s public image within the community.
 
Qualifications:

• Five years public relations, corporate communications, or news writing experience required
• Excellent grammatical and language skills to write, proof, edit and prepare written communications
• Extensive knowledge of publication design, social media, effective verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills for project management
• Bachelor’s degree in communications or journalism or bachelor’s with related experience required
• School district communication and public relations experience preferred
• Crisis communication skills preferred, including the ability to manage messaging during sensitive or high-pressure situations

• Lead projects for external clients, including communication audits, district surveys, focus groups, and superintendent searches.
• Serve as a senior management liaison across districts, participating as an adjunct member of district senior management teams.
• Develop and implement communication materials and strategies for programs and initiatives.
• Provide requested communications and marketing services to assigned school districts.
• Collaborate with assigned school district superintendents or designees, who direct the day-to-day work when on assignment.
• Serve as the assigned district communications liaison with local reporters, preparing and disseminating news releases and other media materials.
• Work cooperatively with administrators, staff, parents, students, and community members to fulfill outlined responsibilities.
• Act independently to make decisions regarding district and external communications when on assignment.
• Write, publish, and distribute press releases to local media, highlighting staff and student accomplishments.
• Coordinate media coverage for events and school functions as requested.
• Oversee the production, publication, and distribution publications, including newsletters and brochures.
• Manage and update website with timely, accurate, and relevant information about events and accomplishments.
• Operate and manage social media accounts, calendar, and email communication platforms.
• Act as the point of contact for marketing campaigns, including strategy development, execution, and analysis.
• Coordinate and disseminate crisis communication materials, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent messaging during emergencies or critical incidents.

Location:
Educational Service Center- 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA

Salary:
Project Band 15 
$75,349-$94,187 (2025-26 School Year Rates)
Salary Bands will be determined by start date and are determined by years of experience 

Schedule:
12 month/260-day calendar
7.5 hours/day
** Please note that this position requires significant evening and weekend work to fulfill responsibilities.**


AA

Equal Opportunity Employer
Chester County Intermediate Unit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Chester County Intermediate Unit ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Chester County Intermediate Unit has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at 484-237-5085.