Manager, Communications

*****NOTICE!!!!****** MUST APPLY THROUGH THE EMPLOYER'S ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM TO BE CONSIDERED!!!!!

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofdecatural/jobs/4785188/communications-manager

Job Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Communications Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies that enhance our brand presence and engage our target audience. This role requires a creative thinker with a strong background in public relations, media relations, and social media management. The Communications Manager will work closely with various departments to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms.

Duties

The individual in this position exercises independent judgement and initiative in all phases of work in a safe and efficient manner as follows:

• Serves as the primary point of contact on communications projects and provides guidance for communications strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
• Monitors news media, both locally and nationally, for events that may have an impact on City activities; maintaining organized and accessible files of news items.
• Keeps City officials informed of events, regulations, legislation and trends that may affect City operations.
• Keeps management informed regarding citizen and media inquiries, issues or complaints.
• Develops marketing and promotional strategies, materials and presentations to generate awareness of the City’s programs and activities.
• Assists in the creative development and production of City publications, such as reports and newsletters, as needed.
• Performs related administrative tasks; develops and prepares promotional materials; copies and distributes materials; develops distribution plans; researches materials and vendors.
• Communicates with City departments to coordinate efforts in accordance with department and city goals.
• Develops and designs specialty designed print and electronic publications and other promotional items.
• Designs and develops publication materials including advertisements, newsletters, brochures and other promotional items through various computer programs, such as Adobe Creative Suite, on strict deadlines.
• Oversees and coordinates regular distribution of a City newsletter.
• Develop and implement web content strategies using web design best practices.
• Remains current in social media trends; assists in publishing pertinent and accurate information as it becomes available to appropriate social media outlets.
• Leads and manages digital footprint, media impact, and public relations efforts for affiliated organizations (e.g., One Decatur, Positively Decatur). Assists all City departments in communications and print material development by providing statistical information and visual aids.
• Build and execute social media strategy through competitive research, platform determination, benchmarking, messaging and target audience identification.
• Generate, edit, publish and share daily content (including original text, images, video or HTML) that builds meaningful connections and encourages community members to participate in City programs and activities.
• Optimize city pages within each platform to increase the visibility of the City's social content.
• Moderate all user-generated content in line with City policy.
• Create editorial calendars; set up scheduled posts using post management software/platforms.
• Continuously improve by capturing and analyzing appropriate social data/metrics, insights and best practices, and then acting on the information.
• Collaborate with other departments to manage online reputation, identify key players and coordinate actions.
• Collaborate often with other departments to identify where public relations activities would help, such as announcing a new program, a change is service or City ordinance, or enhanced service features to better serve our citizens.
• Collaborate often with departments to manage published web content, including departmental content on the City's website.
• Writes news releases, online and print articles, feature stories, advertising copy and other materials.
• Takes photographs of events, ceremonies, and other City activities for use in City communications.
• Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day communications activities.
• Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
• Must meet regular attendance requirements.
• Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, coworkers, managers and citizens.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Skills

• Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media, Communications, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Journalism, Broadcasting or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Preferred five or more years’ experience in government relations, public communications and digital communications, television programming, or broadcast journalism that is supplemented by experience in visual communications such as graphic and web design, making presentations, and/or working with the public as related.
• Prior experience with municipal public communications, and crisis event communication planning is highly desirable and preferred.
• Must be highly proficient with computers in graphic design, web design/development and Microsoft office products such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Municipal public/City systems and software programs are highly desirable and preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, Public Records Request Act and the Brown Act is highly desirable and preferred.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration, journalism and public relations, including understanding of requirements of various media.
• Ability to analyze a variety of complex problems with emphasis on those related to community relations, political, and social processes, and community needs.
• Ability to represent the City effectively in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, boards and commissions, and the public to build consensus among participants.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executive staff, employees, media and the general public and to operate effectively regardless of circumstances.
• Skills to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Skills to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Skills to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and/or demands.
• Skills to work within deadlines to complete projects and assignments.
• Skills to work effectively with diverse, multi-cultural, religious groups.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $73,990.00 - $112,584.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Decatur, AL 35601 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Decatur, AL 35601: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $73,990 - $112,584