MANAGER, MEDIA RELATIONS & EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

Job Summary

The Manager, Media Relations & External Communications serves as the primary liaison between Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and local, regional, and national media. Reporting to the Director, Communications & Marketing, this role leads proactive and responsive media relations efforts that advance the District¿s strategic priorities, strengthen public trust, and elevate confidence in public education in Milwaukee.


The Manager acts as a District media strategist, providing counsel to senior leadership on issues and reputation management, and oversees a small team of professionals within the department focused on storytelling and school communications. Availability outside regular business hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, is required.

$95,000 - $105,000 (12 months/260 days)


How To Apply

Administrative applications for the following position are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources through 11:59 PM, Thursday June 25, 2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

If you are selected for an interview, you will be asked, via email, to provide professional electronic references. Appointment is subject to a criminal background check, a drug/alcohol test and credential verification. PLEASE NOTE: ALL applicants must submit official transcripts confirming Degrees. No applications will be accepted after the deadline date and time.

If you are unable to electronically attach these documents, you must notify Zennia Zivkovic View email address on click.appcast.io , in human resources, that you are sending hard copies which must be received on or before the deadline date listed above.


Conditions of Employment

Working Environment:

General Office environment with occasional travel around the city of Milwaukee.

Occasional evenings or weekends for live coverage and urgent communication needs.

Moderate travel to district schools and events as required.

May be required to work extended hours around major events on district calendar.


Physical Demands:

General office environment, must be able to handle light lifting and occasional standing, bending.


Other Information

Core Competencies:

• Decision Quality and Problem-Solving
• Communication and Customer Service
• Professionalism
• Equity, Access and Inclusion

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor¿s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• A combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.

Experience Requirements:

• Five (5) or more years of experience in media relations, public affairs, journalism, or strategic communications.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a media spokesperson and managing high ¿ visibility or time ¿ sensitive media inquiries.
• Experience in a large, complex organization such as a public school district, public sector agency, or similar institution.
• Experience with crisis communications.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Preferred: Written and spoken fluency in Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Effective oral and written communication and presentation skills are required.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and outstanding analytical skills required.
• Strong project coordination, workflow management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage numerous projects with varying deadlines, multi-task and prioritize changing demands while continuing to provide MPS schools and departments with necessary services in fast-paced, high-volume work environment.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Excellent teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-directed with strong reliability and accountability.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:
Media Relations & Strategy

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries to Milwaukee Public Schools, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated responses.
• Develop, write, and distribute news releases, media advisories, statements, and pitch materials.
• Create and manage an annual media pitch calendar aligned with the district¿s annual communications plan, which is driven by the MPS Strategic Plan.
• Identify story leads, develop pitches, and secure earned media coverage that highlights district initiatives, schools, staff, and students.
• Track and document all media inquiries and responses using designated district systems.

Issue & Crisis Management

• Respond in real time to breaking issues and coordinate district responses with appropriate departments and leadership.
• Assist the Chief Communications Officer, Director, Communications & Marketing, and senior leadership with crisis communications and issues management for school ¿ based and districtwide incidents.
• Coordinate and manage news conferences, media briefings, and press events.
• Serve as an MPS spokesperson, as needed.

Executive Communications & Media Preparation

• Develop talking points, briefing documents, and written responses to media questions for the Superintendent and senior leadership, as needed.
• Provide media coaching and interview preparation for district leaders and subject ¿ matter experts.

Staff Leadership & Team Coordination

• Supervise approximately two direct reports.
• Lead regular planning discussions to align media relations, storytelling, and internal communications efforts.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex or sensitive communications issues.

Collaboration & Integrated Communications

• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing team members to align media relations with digital, social media, and marketing efforts.
• Support development and maintenance of media resources, including a media resources webpage and internal experts directory.
• Serve as backup to the Director of Communications & Marketing when the Director is unavailable.

Organizational Engagement

• Participate in district, department, and all ¿ staff meetings as requested.
• Attend designated district and Board ¿ related meetings or events to remain informed of policies, initiatives, and emerging issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Milwaukee Public Schools¿ mission, values, and Strategic Plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Milwaukee Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of a person's sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

In accordance with Wisconsin Statutes, every applicant for a position with Milwaukee Public Schools will be subject to the open records law. Any applicant not wishing to have his/her identity released, must submit a written statement to that effect to the Office of Human Resources. The identities of all "final candidates" may be released. Milwaukee Public Schools reserves the right to interview the best qualified candidates.