Director of Communications

Salary :

Depends on QualificationsLocation :

Baton Rouge, LAJob Type :

ExecutiveJob Number :

DOComm2025Department :

CommunicationsOpening Date :

01 / 17 / 2025Closing Date :

ContinuousFLSA :

Exempt

General Summary

General Summary :

The Communications Director has full accountability for fulfilling BREC's established mission, vision, and objectives in directing all communications, marketing, and public relations activities of the Commission. This executive level position is responsible for planning, developing and administering broad communications policies and procedural improvements throughout the organization. The Communications Director also prepares departmental budgets, mid-year and annual reports, establishes and develops communications policies, attends meetings, speaks on BREC's behalf to media as needed, and advises the Commission and Superintendent on compliance of relevant legislation.Requirements and Job Specifications

Education Required :

Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university

Education Preferred :

Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

Area of Study (Major) Required :

Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or closely related.

Certification(s) Required :

APR Certificationmust be obtained within 12 months of hire

Certification(s) Preferred :

APR or Senior Practitioner Certification.

License(s) Required :

Valid LA Driver's License.

Years Relevant Work Experience :

Six (6) years experience in Communications, PR, Marketing or related with four (4) years in preparation & dissemination of information to general public and four (4) years in management / supervisory capacity. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered Years Relevant Work Experience Preferred :

10 or more years related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of current accepted concepts and practices of communications, public relations, marketing and advertisingKnowledge of communities served by BREC, including community's concerns and interestsKnowledge of local working media representativesKnowledge of digital advertising, social media & website maintenanceKnowledge of fiscal management and budget development with the ability to forecastDemonstrated expertise and skills in messaging, strategic communication, writing press releases and speeches, building and managing teamsSkill in managing multiple media outletsSkill in the use of a computer and software applications including Outlook, MS Suite, and common professional Communications tools such as Meltwater and Wrike.Skill in managing internal communications processesAbility to communicate effectively in person, in writing, on camera, and to large groupsAbility to analyze, and interpret complex information and produce clear verbal and / written reportsAbility to develop, monitor and maintain a department budgetAbility to effectively train, supervise & coordinate work assignments of reporting personnel & promote team environmentAbility to assess performance problems and identify appropriate training and development programsAbility to effectively listen to and assist in the resolution of complaintsAbility to write, edit, and produce documentary materials for print media and related publicity materialsAbility to work with a diverse group of organizationsAbility to quickly learn BREC policies and procedures, operations and programsAbility to develop and maintain effective working relations with departmental staff and to relate well to representatives of public and private interest groups, news media, public and officials of other agencies.

Functions and Duties

Essential Functions :

Serves as agency spokesperson and is responsible for the oversight of public relations programs in all areas of the commissionDirects the preparation of the department budgets, monitors expenditures, and makes recommendations on resource allocationsSupervises subordinate personnel including : hiring, determining workload and delegating assignments, training, monitoring and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions; including but not limited to employee internship program;Oversees commission's use of contracted advertising and public relations activitiesServes as the agency spokesperson in crisis situations, as well as with the media and at community and agency meetingsArranges interviews for and regularly briefs other department heads and the superintendent on sensitive or controversial issuesIdentifies potential public relations problems and advises commission officials of appropriate preventative actionsRecommends public relations course of action in crisis and in routine public relations situationsRecommends and implements changes to procedures when necessaryInitiates, develops, and maintains local, and national media and public contacts for disseminating commission information via news releaseMonitors media and compiles and sends news clipping report to all staff and commissionersResearches materials for and writes speeches, news releases, and position papers on selected topics for commission officialsManages the creation and implementation of the marketing plan and budget by projecting the costs, determining necessary adjustments, overseeing contracting, and approving and reviewing expendituresPlans and directs advertising, public relations and promotional campaigns and strategies for the commissionProduces and / or directs audio-visual productionsDevelops talking points, scripts, and visual presentations for the agency as neededDevelops and implements plans for internal communication and collaboration across BREC departmentsAdvises agency officials on proper public relations interview techniques before media contactDevelops and implements the Commission's Media Relations Policy and Media Relations PlanDevelops and implements the Commission's Crisis Management PlanConducts research and develops objectives and programs for pro-active positive public relations interactions across the parish for the agencyManages and oversees the production of materials for and directs the layout and production of BREC-wide informational materials such as newsletters, bulletins, pamphlets, brochures, directories and postersOversees all information that is published to brec.org and other BREC-related websites utilizing existing web page policiesOversees the design and development of the Commission's web pageOversees strategies and budgets to achieve continued growth and reach on social media and on the webResponsible for the development of departmental strategic goals and to report their progress, develops the Communications Annual and Mid-Year Reports, and oversees the writing and creation of the stylized BREC Annual Report for the publicResponsible for annual award entries to external organizations and related projectsWorks with the Superintendent's Office the Partnerships and Development division to arrange appearances for BREC's Superintendent at community organizations for presentations regarding BREC's activities and benefits to the parish; fills in as needed when Superintendent is not availableCreates agenda, presentation and serves as co-lead staff member for the I.S. and Communications Advisory CommitteeCreates agenda and serves as lead for weekly staff meetingsWrites and approves performance reviews for staff as they are dueAttends meetings and oversees agenda for Communications Advisory CommitteeOther duties as assigned

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Supplemental Information

Full time, typically 8 hours per day, and 5 days per week. Evening and weekend hours as required. Must be available in case of emergency, 24 hours / day, and 7 days / week.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.2025 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITSHEALTH INSURANCE : Comprehensive medical benefits including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High Deductible High Health Plan) and options are provided through Louisiana Blue. Coverage is effective the first of the month, following two months of employment, a (2 month waiting period). Employee cost per month for HMO : $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52 - family. Employee cost per month for PPO : $375.23 - employee only; $975.50 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver : $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family.LIFE INSURANCE : All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term-Life Insurance policy through Equitable Life Insurance Company a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is subject to decrease at age 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee except for salaries more than $50,000 which are subject to the imputed income clause under the IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately.RETIREMENT SYSTEM : BREC contributions to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System for each employee amount to 37.41% of salary. Employees contribute at the rate of 9.5%. Retirement contributions are tax deferred. Personal contributions are kept on account and refunded if employees leave BREC before their retirement. Additional benefit opportunities are available after 25 years through the DROP program. BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN through payroll deduction.HOLIDAYS : BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.SICK LEAVE : BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.ANNUAL LEAVE : BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.FULL-TIME STATUS : Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS : BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.EAP : BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.CREDIT UNION : BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and / or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS : BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.

LA START : This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.

FSA : BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.

SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS : BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, life, LTD and STD.BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.

• Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2025

Have you ever volunteered for BREC? Yes or No. If so, in what capacity and what location?02

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the study of Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or closely related field of study?

YesNo

This position requires excellent interpersonal / public relations skills. Do you have any public speaking experience either formally or informally?

YesNo

How many years of experience do you have in communications, public relations or marketing experience or closely related?

1 - 3 years4-5 years5 or more years

Do you have any certifications? If so, please explain below)06

Do you possess at least four (4) or more years of full-time experience in a management or supervisory capacity ? If yes, please indicate the number of years.07

Do you have experience serving as an organizational spokesperson to the media? If so, please explain08

Do you have experience in developing, monitoring and managing a department budget?

YesNo

Required Question

Salary : $50,000