Job Description

Be the one who makes a difference!

At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference—with us.

Position Overview:

The Director of Communications & Public Relations plays a vital role in advancing Vertex Education’s mission by fostering trust, transparency, and engagement across school communities. Through strategic internal and external communication, this leader supports client schools—including Legacy Traditional Schools—in building strong connections with families, staff, and the public. The Director develops proactive PR strategies, oversees crisis response, and leads data-informed communication initiatives that enhance school culture, promote positive public perception, and drive alignment with organizational goals. By leading a dedicated communications team and collaborating cross-functionally, this role ensures that every message supports our commitment to changing lives through education.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions below describe the general requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or most of the primary accountabilities listed below. Specific tasks, responsibilities or competencies may be documented in the incumbent’s performance objectives as outlined by the incumbent’s immediate supervisor or manager.

1. Internal and External Communication Strategy

• Develop and implement clear, timely, and engaging communications for parents and staff across client schools.
• Align communication materials with leadership priorities, brand standards, and district policies.
• Oversee creation and distribution of newsletters, talking points, and official announcements.
• Ensure inclusive communications by supporting language access and cultural sensitivity efforts.

2. Crisis Communication & Reputation Management

• Lead crisis communications planning and serve as the primary responder during incidents.
• Draft and disseminate time-sensitive messages in collaboration with school and network leadership.
• Coordinate with executive leaders to manage reputational risks and public-facing narratives.

​3. Public Relations and Media Oversight

• Lead proactive PR strategy, including media outreach, story pitching, and reputation building.
• Serve as media spokesperson when needed and coach executives on media engagement.
• Manage external PR vendors and ensure alignment with brand messaging and goals.
• Oversee creation and use of press materials, playbooks, toolkits, and templates for schools.

4. Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate performance of the Communications Specialist.
• Promote team development using frameworks such as Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
• Partner with enrollment, HR, operations, and academics to ensure consistent messaging.
• Foster a service-oriented, collaborative culture across communications efforts.

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5. Research, Surveying, and Budget Oversight

• Design, manage, and analyze parent satisfaction and staff engagement surveys.
• Use survey data and research insights to inform communication and engagement strategies.
• Oversee and manage the communications and PR budget to ensure resource alignment.
• Evaluate communication tools (e.g., ParentSquare, Alchemer) for effectiveness and ROI.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in communications, PR, or media relations.
• At least 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience, including team management.
• Proven experience developing and executing crisis communications plans.
• Experience leading communication efforts in an education, nonprofit, or mission-driven environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to client school locations as needed.
• Availability to be on-call for emergency or crisis communications support outside of business hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Experience working with charter schools, public school systems, or educational service providers.
• Familiarity with tools like ParentSquare and Alchemer for communication and survey management.
• Experience managing PR agency relationships and acting as an organizational spokesperson.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong writing, editing and proofreading background with superb attention to detail.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to work with a variety of teams and functions to analyze communications needs and develop plans to deliver results.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Proactive and responds positively to pressure
• Possesses strong initiative and self-direction
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to adapt quickly to a changing environment
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) strongly preferred.

BACKGROUND CHECKS:

• The incumbent in this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check.
• Must be able to obtain and hold a valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card at all times.

PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Travel between campuses is required from time to time.
• This position requires the need to lift objects (up to 25 pounds) on occasion.
• This position may require sitting for long periods at times, talking on the phone, standing, kneeling, stooping and long periods of concentration.
• Local and in-state travel required.
• Out-of-state travel required on occasion.

Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us!​

Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 258,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 226 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education.

• Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up.
• Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed.
• Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education.
• Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances.
• Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance.
• Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions.
• Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes.
• Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer.

Be the one who makes a difference!

With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together. Apply Today!

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