Corporate Communications Manager

Job Description

SUMMARY : We are seeking a strategic communications professional to drive national media relations efforts and help shape the public narrative around K12. This role will elevate the brand as a trusted voice in education while helping protect and strengthen its reputation in a complex and evolving landscape.

The Corporate Communications Manager will develop proactive media strategies, position subject matter experts as thought leaders, and translate education topics into compelling stories that resonate with parents and consumer audiences. The role also supports reputation and crisis communications at the national and local level, working closely with internal teams, external consultants, and PR agencies to respond quickly and strategically to emerging issues.

This position is ideal for a communications professional who understands how news media operates across multiple verticals—including education and consumer outlets—and can deploy a broad set of PR tactics to drive meaningful media impact.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• You understand how modern newsrooms work and how stories travel across national, consumer, and education media.

• You’re a strategic storyteller who can translate education topics into narratives that resonate with parents and everyday audiences.

• You’re proactive and adaptable, comfortable navigating both proactive media opportunities and reactive reputational challenges.

• You know how to deploy a broad PR toolkit—from traditional media pitching to thought leadership, rapid response, and narrative shaping.

• You’re collaborative and confident working across teams and external partners to drive communications outcomes.

• You bring a calm, solutions-oriented mindset to issues management and crisis communications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

• National Media Strategy: Develop and execute proactive media strategies that elevate the K12 brand and its leadership across national, consumer, education, and trade media.

• Thought Leadership & Storytelling: Identify and position company leaders and subject matter experts as credible voices in education while developing compelling stories that connect with parents and broader consumer audiences.

• Agency & Consultant Management: Manage and guide external PR agencies and consultants to ensure campaigns align with strategic communications priorities and deliver measurable media impact.

• Media Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with national, regional, and vertical reporters, editors, and producers across education and consumer outlets.

• Trend Monitoring & Newsjacking: Monitor the evolving media landscape and identify opportunities to proactively insert K12 into relevant conversations and emerging education trends.

• Local Media & School Support: Partner with the PR Manager to support local media strategies for schools, including working with agencies to elevate student and teacher stories and respond to regional media needs.

• Reputation & Crisis Communications: Support the development and execution of crisis communication strategies and assist with rapid response to media inquiries or reputational issues affecting the organization or its schools.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with communications, marketing, school teams, government affairs, and other internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across messaging, media engagement, and reputation management.

• Media Monitoring & Reporting: Use media analytics and monitoring platforms to measure PR impact, track trends, and provide insights that inform communications strategy.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7-10 years minimum previous experience in a similar role

• Ability to travel 20% of the time

• Ability to clear required background check.

Certificates and Licenses: None required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Experience using media monitoring and outreach platforms such as Cision, Onclusive, Meltwater, or similar tools.

• Demonstrated success securing impactful media coverage across national, consumer, and industry outlets.

• Experience managing PR agencies or external consultants to execute communications strategies.

• Strong writing and storytelling skills for press materials, thought leadership, and media responses.

• Experience supporting or responding to reputational issues or crisis communications situations.

• Familiarity with the education sector or organizations serving families and students.

• Experience working alongside government affairs teams or navigating communications related to legislation or regulatory issues is a plus.

• Analytical mindset with experience tracking media performance and translating insights into strategy.

• Ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across communications, marketing, and operational teams.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level. Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections.

We anticipate the salary range to be $64,759 to $110,000. Eligible employees may receive a bonus. This salary is not guaranteed, as an individual’s compensation can vary based on several factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions. Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

Job Type

The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor. All employment is “at-will” as governed by the law of the state where the employee works. It is further understood that the “at-will” nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you can request the appropriate accommodation by contacting stridecareers@k12.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Stride, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration for employment based on merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Stride, Inc. complies with all legally required affirmative action obligations. Applicants will not be discriminated against because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.