Director of External Relations

About Us

At the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), we go beyond merely offering jobs – we actively seek out extraordinary individuals to join our team. As the primary agency entrusted with overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, we are steadfastly devoted to making a meaningful impact on the districts and students we serve. Our exceptional team at OSDE is renowned for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for students across the state. We work hand-in-hand with over 500 school districts and maintain a close partnership with the legislature, ensuring that each Oklahoma student receives the exceptional education they deserve. If you're in search of a fulfilling career that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of children, you've arrived at the right place. Join us in our mission to empower students and elevate the standard of education in Oklahoma. For further insights into OSDE, please visit our website at www.sde.ok.gov.

Position Overview

The Director of External Relations plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s (OSDE) engagement with parents, communities, and strategic partners across the state. This position provides high-level strategic leadership in developing and implementing a comprehensive external relations strategy that advances OSDE’s mission, promotes public trust, and strengthens partnerships with families and stakeholders. The Director works closely with executive leadership, internal departments, and community organizations to coordinate messaging, enhance public awareness, and support transformational initiatives that empower Oklahoma families and children

Please note: This role requires a consistent, in-person presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with no remote, telecommuting, or hybrid options

This position has been designated as executive management and is exempted from the civil service rules established by the Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Act.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field [official transcripts required upon hire];
• Three (3) years of experience in external relations, project management,
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of relevant experience for each year of the required education.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field [official transcripts required upon hire];
• Five (5) years of experience in organizational or project management.
  
  

Special Requirements

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis;
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;
• Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.
  
  

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Knowledge & Expertise: Current trends, best practices, and research related to external relations and implement relevant strategies.
• Strategy & Initiative Development: Provide strategic guidance and support to executive leadership on matters related to external relations.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment and coordination of external messaging and initiatives.
• Coordination: Efficiently coordinate, process, and track feedback from parents and strategic/community partners for effective analysis and action.
• Researching and Analyzing: Conduct thorough research to identify strategic and community partners, events, and opportunities aimed at effectively engaging Oklahoma families and children, and effectively communicating these findings.
• Developing & implementing solutions: Develop and implement a comprehensive external relations strategy aligned with the OSDE’s goals and objectives; Craft a transformative new identity for the OSDE that embodies its mission, values, and aspirations, inspiring stakeholders and driving positive change in the education landscape.
• Leading & Motivating: Establish and nurture strong relationships with parents and community members, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative partnerships; establish and lead multiple task forces to drive collaborative efforts, foster innovation, and effectively tackle key challenges.
• Problem-Solving: Cultivate a positive perception of OSDE among parents who are passionate about championing their child's education, fostering a strong partnership rooted in trust and shared goals; promote and enhance the public image and public awareness of OSDE.
• Program Development & Implementation: Elevate awareness of OSDE's exciting new commitment to parents and children, fostering a stronger connection and empowering their active involvement.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Manage and allocate resources effectively to support external relations activities.
• Professional Demeanor: Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance.
• Attendance: Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers.
• Innovation: Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive change in the field of education.
• Efficiency: Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices.
• Superior Customer Service: Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a positive and favorable impression.
  
  

Essential Competencies

• Effective Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas, while also listening actively to others and demonstrating understanding; Ability to demonstrate empathy by showing respect and understanding for the feelings and perspectives of others while paying close attention to non-verbal cues; Ability to adapt communication style to suit the needs of the audience and situation.
• Take a proactive approach and work independently: Be resourceful and self-motivated, prioritize work effectively by managing your time well, anticipating challenges, developing creative solutions, paying close attention to detail, and taking ownership of your work.
• Collaborate as a team player: Ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. Including being open-minded, respectful, and responsive to others’ ideas and perspectives. Sharing knowledge and experience while being committed to achieving the teams’ objectives and understanding the importance of working collaboratively to achieve success.
• Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills: Ability to set clear objectives, create a plan of action, break down complex tasks into manageable components, delegate tasks when necessary, and establish a realistic timeline to meet deadlines consistently while developing contingency plans to ensure adaptability to changing circumstances.
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, patterns, connections, and develop effective logical solutions; Ability to think critically, anticipate potential problems, and develop innovative solutions to address them.
• Ability to function well in an, at times, stressful, fast-paced, and deadline-driven environment: Ability to work under pressure and in situations where time is limited whilst remaining calm and focused, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changing circumstances.
• Ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders: Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration, leverage resources effectively, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes. Possess strong interpersonal skills in order to resolve conflicts and manage difficult conversations in a constructive and professional manner.
• Knowledge of technology and ability to use it to maximize efficiency and services: Ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve customer experiences; Familiarity with software, hardware, and other relevant technological tools while being able to learn new technologies as they emerge.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Location: Oliver Hodge Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Work Environment includes:
• Office Setting: Climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise; the employee is frequently required to talk, walk, and stand; this position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time.
• Physical Demands include:
• Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time;
• Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time;
• Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time;
• Ability to lift to 25 lbs.
• Cognitive Requirements:
• This role requires clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate information and make timely decisions.
• Sustained focus and attention to detail are essential, along with memory retention of policies, procedures, and facts over various time frames.
• Adaptability and mental flexibility are also necessary to handle changing information, work conditions, and unexpected challenges.
  

TRAVEL

Occasional (up to 10%) in-state/out-of-state travel may be required.

EEO STATEMENT

The Oklahoma Department of Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, OSDE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to provide a general understanding of the position's essential duties and responsibilities. It is not an employment contract or agreement, and the duties may change as per business needs without prior notice. The employer reserves the right to modify, revise, or terminate any policies, procedures, or benefits described herein at any time, with or without notice.