Associate Commissioner for Communications and Marketing

About the role

The Associate Commissioner of Communications and Marketing for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education serves as the agency’s lead strategist for enterprise communications, marketing, and brand management. This role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated, data-driven communications ecosystem that advances the agency’s mission, strengthens public trust, and drives engagement across the Commonwealth’s K–12 and adult education system. Reporting to the Chief of Staff and advising the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, the Associate Commissioner translates complex policy and priorities into clear, compelling narratives that inform and inspire action.

The role provides strategic oversight of brand stewardship, digital experience, media relations, and creative direction, while establishing performance metrics to measure impact and continuously improve outcomes. In addition, the Associate Commissioner leads and develops a high-performing team, champions accessibility and inclusive communication practices, and represents the agency in high-level internal and external engagements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement agency-wide external communications policies, ensuring consistent messaging, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Oversee all external communications including events, department stakeholder messaging, and media relations.
• Develop and oversee data-driven, multi-channel marketing campaigns that increase awareness, engagement, and impact across priority initiatives.
• Lead the agency’s digital communications ecosystem, ensuring a user-centered, accessible, and high-performing online presence (inclusive of new website redesign).
• Provide strategic oversight of the agency’s creative function to ensure high-quality, impactful visual and multimedia communications.
• Represent the Department and support executive engagement with key stakeholders across government and the public.
• Perform highly responsible management work covering a broad range of activities, including the supervision of the Director of Communications, Media Coordinator, Graphic/Motion Designer and Video Production Coordinator.
• Represent the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners at meetings when required and appropriate; advise the Commissioner, providing extensive professional assistance and project management.
• Other duties as assigned. Based on assignment, travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of communications strategy, public relations, and marketing principles, including how to develop and execute integrated campaigns across multiple channels and audiences.
• Strong understanding of digital communications, including website management, social media strategy, content marketing, and email communications.
• Knowledge of brand development and visual identity principles, including how to establish and maintain a coherent brand across a large, complex organization.
• Familiarity with government communications, public sector media relations, and the political and regulatory environment in which state agencies operate.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards for digital content and a commitment to ensuring communications are inclusive and reach diverse audiences.
• Understanding of project management principles sufficient to lead a major initiative such as a website overhaul, including vendor management, timeline development, and cross-functional coordination.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to write clearly, persuasively, and accurately for a wide range of audiences — from technical reports to public-facing campaign copy to executive-level briefings.
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to translate complex policy and programmatic content into accessible, compelling public communications.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team of communications professionals across writing, design, digital, and video disciplines.
• Skilled in managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong visual and design literacy — sufficient to provide informed direction to designers and ensure brand consistency, even if not a hands-on designer.
• Proficiency with digital communications tools and platforms, including content management systems, social media management tools, email marketing platforms, and basic web analytics.
• Effective relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across agency divisions, with the Governor's Office and Secretariat, and with external partners and media.
• Sound political judgment and discretion, with the ability to navigate sensitive communications situations and advise senior leadership accordingly.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least six (6) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

• A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

Salary

$109,765.96