Full Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Communications Manager is a vital role within the Mayor’s office, responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, citywide strategic communications program aimed at enhancing public awareness, engagement, and participation in City projects, programs, services, and initiatives. Key responsibilities include overseeing the City’s website, managing all social media platforms, coordinating public relations activities, supporting interdepartmental communications, assisting in crisis communication efforts, and acting as the Public Information Officer.
The Communications Manager works closely with other city departments, elected officials, community organizations, and regional media. This work requires creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish goals and objectives. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and possesses the ability to build effective professional relationships built on trust.
Serves as spokesperson and liaison for the City to the media on a variety of topics. Establishes, promotes and maintains effective relations with the media and advises officials, departments and employees on how to properly frame issues and present.
Oversees the City’s communications and outreach programs. Ensures that the City’s virtual media, including but not limited to website, social and video technology, are current and relevant and that City accomplishments and programs are highlighted and reported appropriately. Ensures that the City’s marketing effort is well coordinated, consistent and in accordance with good public relations practices.
Creates proactive relationships with members of the regional media and serves as staff’s contact person with the media to ensure a single source of the most accurate information.
Leads the development and execution of new media strategy that leverages social networks and other electronic media to better engage the community. Develops appropriate policies and guidelines for the use of communication tools by City departments and staff.
Prepares and directs the drafting of speeches, press releases, public service announcements, brochures, flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, articles, scripts and related communication tools for City officials and staff which enhance the City’s public image.
Attends City Council meetings and other official City meetings and functions, public outreach events and community events. These events may occur during the regularly scheduled work day or in the early mornings, evenings or on weekends.
Oversees the selection and training of personnel; assumes responsibility for motivating and evaluating assigned personnel; provides necessary training; initiates discipline procedures as is appropriate; assigns work to staff and personnel; monitors work activities to ensure safe work practices, work quality and accuracy; ensures compliance to applicable rules, policies and procedures.
Prepares, manages and coordinates the development of the department budget.
Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
Performs other related duties as required.
Works under the supervision of the Chief of Staff.
Manages the Graphic Designer and Marketing and Social Media Manager.
Bachelor’s degree, Masters preferred, in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business, or a closely related field.
Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, or performing a variety of professional level administrative support activities for a public agency or community organization including supervisory experience, in the public or private sector.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for community engagement and partnership building.
Understanding of principles and practices of communications, media, public relations, and community engagement in a local government setting.
Skills in writing, editing, graphic design, photography, media relations, and multimedia production (including audio, video, social media, and websites).
Bilingual Spanish preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
QUALIFICATIONS