Senior Director of Corporate Communications

Description:

At KinderCare Education, we make it our passion to nurture a sense of discovery, joy, and wonder in every child, every day, at every one of our centers. As the nation’s leading private provider in accredited early childhood education, we’re committed to delivering the highest-quality child care and educational opportunities for families and the dedicated professionals who serve them.

We see the greatness in each child, and we believe teachers can change the world. Every day, our more than 33,000 employees create a world of learning, joy, and adventure for more than 158,000 children. Whether you’re in one of our centers or providing support from our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, being a part of the KinderCare family means that you care deeply about positively impacting the lives of children and families through the power of education.

KinderCare Education has three brands to meet the needs of busy families wherever they need us\:

• We’re in neighborhoods with our KinderCare Learning Centers that offer early childhood education and care for children 6 weeks to 12 years old

• We’re at offices with KinderCare Education at Work, our suite of family-focused benefits for organizations to offer to their employees, including on-site and near-site early learning centers, Back-up Care for last-minute child care and Care Select

• And we’re at schools with our Champions before and after school programs

KinderCare Education LLC is an experience-based provider of child care and early learning, with over 30,000 teachers and staff serving more than 185,000 families every day, wherever they need us\:

• In neighborhoods with our KinderCare Learning Centers and Rainbow Child Care Centers that offer early childhood education and child care for children 6 weeks to 12 years old

• At work through KinderCare Education at Work, family-focused benefits for employers including on-site and near-site early learning centers and Back-up Care for last-minute child care needs

• And in local schools with our Champions before and after school programs

The company operates 1,500 early learning centers and over 500 Champions sites and is supported by a corporate staff of 500 employees in ever-green Portland, Oregon. In 2017 and again in 2018, KinderCare Education received a Gallup Great Workplace Award – one of fewer than 40 employers worldwide.

Job Summary\:

While making communications less, well, corporate, the Sr. Director of Corporate Communications will lead internal and external communication strategies to elevate the company’s profile and reputation among stakeholders – including news organizations, prospective and current employees, and the families we serve today and in the future. This master storyteller will galvanize support and excitement about the company’s mission, culture and business growth that results in tangible outcomes to ensure more families discover what KinderCare is uniquely able to provide the children in our care and the families we support.

Qualification:

Key responsibilities include\:

• Enhance the company’s reputation by building and leading consumer-facing and B2B PR strategies that demonstrate the power of a KinderCare and Champions education, articulate what makes us a unique and compelling employer and highlight our position as the preeminent leader in early learning

• Support the strategic objectives of the company by building and leading communications to government officials, education advocates, thought leaders and other key stakeholders

• Protect the company’s reputation through timely and thoughtful responses to issues and crises

• Collaborate with business and marketing leaders to build and implement communication that drives family enrollment, influences other employers on childcare issues, and builds the reputation of our brands

• Enhance the employee experience by creating key opportunities to celebrate and promote organizational initiatives and stories that reinforce our mission, our brand, our daily work and culture

• Articulate our company strategies and initiatives and help employees understand the role they play in bringing them to life and how they benefit children, families, employers and schools in our communities

Department Leadership

• Lead, guide and develop a team of high-performing communications professionals who understand our industry and operations and who excel in project management, narrative and business writing, proactive and reactive communications as well as event production

• Lead outside agencies, participate in industry associations, and build relationships with media

• Collaborate with field and headquarters teams to drive company objectives and culture

• Provide thought leadership to business leaders and senior executives

• Participate as an active member of our Marketing Leadership and Executive Leadership Teams and have a hand in shaping our company as we impact the lives of children

Key desired skills and experience\:

• Ten to fifteen years of leadership in Corporate Communications and/or Public Relations

• Track record in building and managing relationships with media, key stakeholders, and business partners

• Strong understanding of business operations and financials

• Success managing team members, as well as external resources such as agencies and consultants

• Proven experience in supporting culture through communications strategies

• Ability to effectively engage and influence internal and external stakeholders at all levels, ideally with experience working with C-suite executives

• A really good sense of humor

KinderCare Education is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

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