Partnership and Communication Manager

Best to Apply by 7/5/2026

This position is intended to start on 8/14/2026.

This is an exempt position, scheduled for 8 hours/day, 205 days/year, and is located in Olympia, WA.

Benefits include Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance; FSA/DCAP; Life/AD&D Insurance; LTD Insurance; EAP; Retirement; DCP; Sick Leave and Personal Leave.

This position is ideal for a highly organized, articulate, and relationship-driven professional who is excited to help expand the impact of Gravity’s work with students from diverse backgrounds and supporting school districts’ reengagement needs. The strongest candidates will bring excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience creating high-quality visual and informational materials, and confidence managing digital communications and social media platforms. Successful applicants are motivated by meaningful work, value collaboration and feedback, and are energized by the opportunity to support Gravity’s work in helping students build the skills and knowledge needed for long-term success. Candidates who thrive in this role are self-directed, capable of independently managing timelines and priorities while remaining responsive to guidance from program leadership. A bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field is preferred, along with experience in customer relationship management and/or partnership development. Backgrounds in communications, marketing, sales, outreach, or client relations will be especially valuable in supporting Gravity’s ongoing growth, community partnerships, and program visibility.

Required attachments: Transcript, Resume and Cover Letter

Please see the job description below for a list of Essential Functions and Job Requirements.

Purpose Statement

The job of Partnership and Communication Manager-Gravity is done for the purpose/s of communicating, liaising, and expanding Gravity brand awareness among the public, partner/client districts and ESDs, and prospective community partners. The Partnership and Communication Manager-Gravity develops program materials, manages in-person and digital communications, and coordinates meetings with stakeholders within and outside the educational community. The Partnership and Communication Manager - Gravity must have the ability to collect, record, analyze, and visually and verbally present data to a variety of stakeholders. The position is responsible for communicating knowledge of Gravity operations in the context of building engagement among internal and external stakeholders, and for coordinating high-level communication while strengthening relationships with existing partners and prospective clients. To accomplish this, the Partnership and Communication Manager - Gravity effectively manages resources, timelines, and stakeholder expectations while presenting professionally as a representative of Gravity leadership. The Partnership and Communication Manager - Gravity serves as the lead for outward-facing program communications related to Gravity, its expansion efforts, and ongoing partnerships, ensuring messaging is consistent, effective, and aligned with priorities established by Gravity leadership.

Essential Functions

Stakeholder Collaboration Collaborates with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., ESDs, district leadership, building administrators, community organizations, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of securing and growing sustainable partnerships and relationships with clients.

Data Collection and Management Collects and manages student, staff, and family data (e.g. via surveys, student information system, etc.) for the purpose of supporting program evaluation, informing decision-making, and ensuring accurate reporting of outcomes.

Data Presentation Collects, records, analyzes, and visually and verbally presents data to a variety of stakeholders for the purpose of enchaining programmatic offerings to clients and partners.

Project Analysis Conducts project analyses and reports outcome metrics using data visualization for the purpose of helping leadership evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Project Activity Coordination Coordinates and oversees project activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timelines set by Gravity leadership for the purpose of achieving project objectives efficiently and effectively.

Community Organization Coordination Coordinates with community-based organizations for the purpose of connecting students and families with support services and strengthening partnerships with the local community.

Content Creation and Review Creates and reviews written and digital content to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with project goals for the purpose of maintaining high-quality communication deliverables.

Communications Development Develops and manages program-level written and visual communications, including designing graphic materials, ensuring alignment with project specifications and brand guidelines for the purpose of clearly conveying program information, supporting outreach efforts, and delivering visually engaging, consistent communication tools.

Project Planning Develops detailed project plans, including scope, schedule, budget, and resource allocation for the purpose of ensuring all project components are clearly defined and managed.

Stakeholder Engagement Engages with staff, students, families, district leadership, educational administrators, prospective clients, and prospective partners to understand their needs and expectations, and communicates the results to Gravity leadership in formats that aid in decision-making and priority setting for the program for the purpose of informing strategic planning and program development.

Policy Alignment Ensures alignment with all ESD 113 policies and procedures for the purpose of upholding ESD 113 standards and minimizing risk.

Team Communication Facilitation Facilitates communication and collaboration among team members for the purpose of fostering a unified approach to project execution and delivery of Gravity services to clients and partners.

Independent Project Management Manages projects independently while ensuring alignment with guidance provided by Gravity leadership through regular check-ins, including participation in Gravity Leadership Team meetings (as requested) for the purpose of maintaining project applicability and adapting to evolving requirements.

Social Media Management Manages social media platforms for the purpose of promoting program awareness, sharing student success stories, and highlighting program offerings.

Stakeholder Communication Oversight Oversees communication with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., community groups, partner school districts, OSPI, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining ongoing community support for Open Doors goals and offerings, assisting with issues related to enhancing access to rural and remote student populations, and communicating student achievement and program outcomes.

District Consultation Provides consultation to districts in and out of the region for the purpose of identifying services to enhance Gravity's offerings to students and districts.

Brand Ambassador Serves as a brand ambassador for the program, representing Gravity in educational and related community events for the purpose of increasing program visibility and strengthening relationships with potential stakeholders and the broader community.

Client Point of Contact Serves as a Gravity point of contact for clients, providing regular updates on programmatic offerings, program success, as well as promoting and marketing new services through relationship management of external and internal partners and potential clients for the purpose of keeping all parties informed and engaged.

Outreach Coordination Serves as outreach coordinator for, and ambassador of, the program to consortium districts, external ESDs, and community partners for the purpose of maintaining and growing relationships and enhancing communication with stakeholders.

Brand Expansion Liaison Serves as the Gravity liaison and trainer for Gravity brand expansion efforts, including new site development and new lines of service, ensuring consistency of program implementation and alignment with Gravity leadership priorities for the purpose of supporting effective expansion and program fidelity.

District Liaison Serves as the Gravity liaison to partner school districts for the purpose of maintaining strong relationships, supporting student referral and enrollment processes, and ensuring alignment between district needs and program services.

Travel Requirements Travels intermittently between ESD 113 sites and school districts across the service region for the purpose of meeting with clients and partners as well as fulfilling project requirements.

Other Functions

Personnel Assistance Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Related Duties Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge Required Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:.

Skills Required Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications; preparing, analyzing, and maintaining accurate records; and communicating effectively via written, in-person, and digital methods.

Abilities Required Ability is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate.

Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with persons of varied educational and cultural backgrounds; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds; working independently under time constraints to meet deadlines and schedules; organizing and communicating information and concepts; analyzing situations and making accurate decisions; working with multiple projects; dealing with frequent interruptions and changing work priorities; working with detailed information; maintaining accurate records and confidentiality; facilitating communication between persons with frequently divergent positions; and working flexible hours.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; monitoring budget expenditures. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 60% sitting, 10% walking, and 30% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Education and Experience Requirements

Experience: Job related experience within specialized field with increasing levels of responsibility is required in Experience with social media management and relationship/client/product management preferred. Experience in Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, and/or Canva preferred.

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Education (Preferred): BA degree in English, communications, business, public relations or related field is preferred, though may be waived in lieu of any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Position Information

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Approval Date: 04/28/2026

Pay Grade: Range 61

Required Testing, Certificates and Licenses

Required Testing:

None Specified

Certificates and Licenses:

Valid Driver's License and Evidence of Insurability

Continuing Education and Training:

None Specified

Clearances:

Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release

Capital Region ESD 113 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ESD 113 - Partnership and Communication Manager (Gravity)