Communications Officer

Role summary

The Communications Officer reports to the Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer and leads division-wide communications, public engagement, media relations, and marketing efforts. This position helps strengthen public confidence in Sturgeon Public Schools by sharing the division’s goals, priorities, and achievements in a clear and strategic way.

The role focuses on building strong relationships with students, families, staff, community members, media, government, and education partners. It also supports consistent messaging, brand standards, website oversight, and social media practices across the division, while working closely with school administrators and other designated staff.

Key duties

• Create, roll out, and review division-wide communication, marketing, public engagement, and storytelling plans that increase awareness, trust, and confidence in Sturgeon Public Schools.
• Advise the Superintendent, Board of Trustees, and division leaders on communications matters, including emerging issues, reputational concerns, sensitive topics, and decision support.
• Prepare communication and response plans for urgent, sensitive, and crisis situations.
• Assist with board communications by attending public Board and Committee meetings when needed and helping communicate board priorities, decisions, and initiatives.
• Draft and coordinate news releases, publications, speeches, presentations, website content, and social media messaging.
• Act as the main media contact and respond to questions from the public, media, and community groups.
• Spotlight stories, achievements, programs, and initiatives that demonstrate the impact of Sturgeon Public Schools and celebrate student and staff success.
• Oversee division websites, social channels, brand guidelines, and digital communication platforms.
• Support student recruitment, family engagement, and division growth through focused marketing and outreach efforts.
• Develop and sustain positive connections with municipalities, community organizations, government, industry, and education stakeholders.
• Help plan and coordinate events, announcements, consultations, celebrations, and community engagement activities.
• Work with school administrators and school-based staff to improve school communications, website content, and social media use.
• Coordinate or capture photography, video, and other digital media for division and school communication needs.
• Track communication trends, social media activity, and new technologies to improve communication practices over time.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Superintendent.

Education and experience

Ideal candidates will bring the training, experience, and professional skill needed to lead strategic communications and provide trusted support to senior division leadership, the Board of Trustees, and the Superintendent.

• Post-secondary study in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, or a closely related discipline; equivalent education and experience will also be considered.
• Three to five years of steadily progressive experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or community engagement.
• Experience working with senior leaders, boards, elected officials, or executive teams is an advantage.
• Background in public education, government, or another public-sector setting is also an asset.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Excellent writing, speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to provide strategic communications guidance and build practical communication plans.
• Strong judgment, political awareness, and discretion when dealing with confidential or sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively with trustees, staff, students, families, media, community groups, and government partners.
• Strong planning and time-management skills with the ability to handle several priorities and deadlines at once.
• Comfort using digital communication tools, websites, social media, photography, video, and related technologies.
• Working knowledge of public education and the communities served by Sturgeon Public Schools.