Press Secretary And Event Coordinator

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

Press Secretary and Event Coordinator – Job Description

From preschool to post-secondary education, the Executive Office of Education (EOE) works to connect all Massachusetts residents with a high-quality public education. EOE works with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the state's 29 public colleges and universities to coordinate programs and policies across the entire public education system.

EOE is seeking a Press Secretary and Event Coordinator to work in the high-volume Communications Office for the state’s top education office. The office is looking for a team player to join us as we manage a variety of radio, print, and TV requests daily from regional and statewide reporters across the state, support the Governor’s office in their education-related communications, and plan policy rollouts and Event announcements to advance the Healey-Driscoll administrations’ education agenda. This person will report to the Communications Director and will work under and support the Deputy Communications Director. EOE is looking for a driven communicator, with strong writing skills and a passion for public service, who can multi-task and meet deadlines to support our Secretariate communications objectives.

Primary Duties: Draft responses to media inquiries for EOE, contribute to statements and remarks for the Secretary, coordinate the review of agency press responses and public-facing materials, manage policy rollouts and Event planning, and support other staff on the communications team, as needed, on a variety of communications, media projects, and public events. Experience and an interest in social media and photography are a plus, but not a requirement. On the record, experience is not required.

The Press Secretary and Events Coordinator will be a core member of the organization’s Communication team ensuring that EOE’s priorities and achievements are communicated effectively to the media and the public through strong messaging. The Press Secretary is a strong writer who will draft media responses, statements, and remarks, as well as other communications materials; help plan and execute media events such as press conferences, policy announcements, and campus visits, coordinate media responses and press outreach for the office, and support the communications team in our executive of the editorial calendar; research topics for talking points, press releases, and media responses.

Responsibilities include:

Media Relations:

• Field inquiries from media and draft responses in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Deputy Director. Gather needed information and determine the best way to message it; consult with the Director of Communications to ensure accuracy of response; make recommendations about granting interviews with EOE staff and site visits.

• Reach out to local statewide newspapers, radio and TV stations, and regional cable access channels under the direction of the Communications Director to highlight EOE's priorities, programs, and community events as well as events the Secretary attends.

Written Communications:

• Compiles, drafts, and edits various external/internal communications and written materials including talking points, press statements, op-eds, remarks, and media releases and advisories. Ensure that these communications are well-written, professional, and consistent with EOE’s message. Work with the Director of Communications to determine appropriate language.

Event Coordination:

• Coordinate the logistics, planning, and execution of communications-related events for EOE, including but not limited to press conferences, policy announcements, campus visits, and other public-facing events hosted or attended by the Secretary. Ensure that the caliber of the event supports the vision of the Healey-Driscoll administration and will achieve the headline or news story the Communications team is striving for. Communicate with the Communications team and other internal staff to manage risks and issues, and monitor progress to ensure that the event stays on track.

Supporting the Communications Team:

• Coordinate with the Director of Communications and Deputy Communications Director on implementing the Secretariate’s communications strategy and editorial calendar.

• Work closely with the Director of Communications and staff to track EOE's initiatives and accomplishments.

• Help create and maintain the editorial calendar. Make recommendations about what to promote and what fits into the overall strategy. Carry out initiatives in a timely, effective, and well-ordered fashion.

• When appropriate, pitch stories and interviews to individual reporters.

The Press Secretary must have the ability to prioritize, multitask, and shift gears quickly while working on tight deadlines. Large volumes of correspondence and communications must be reviewed and shared with quick turnaround times. It is essential that all press/publication deadlines be met, and that the public be kept up to date on EOE’s priorities and initiatives. Messaging produced for media outreach and press releases is intended to build EOE’s image and strengthen its brand recognition. If the Director of Communications is unavailable, the Press Secretary must be able to stand in and give prompt, effective, and informed responses.

Qualifications required:

A highly motivated team player with a demonstrated ability to take complicated material and present it to general audiences.

A strong, effective, and quick writer who can balance multiple priorities.

Professional manner and ability to establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with agencies within EOE and community partners.

Ability to support staff with external-facing roles so they can relay the communications strategy and act as effective spokespeople for agreed-upon messages.

An organized project manager with the ability to track logistics, meet with external partners and Event hosts, and coordinate the public events and announcements of the Secretariate. Ability to problem-shoot barriers, recommend options and build a professional media-facing event that makes news in the way we want.

Ability to champion effective Secretariate language and branding to ensure a coordinated approach across the organization and in printed publications, the website, and social media.

Proven ability to work independently under minimal supervision and troubleshoot and develop solutions and make recommendations.

Solid internet-based research skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office suite: Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and some Access. Familiarity with Canva and Social Media platforms is a plus.

Questions related to the job posting or hiring process: Tonya.Williams3@mass.gov