Communications Director

Are you able to provide WORLD CLASS customer service?

Do you enjoy working with PEOPLE and SERVING others?

Do you like being a part of a GREAT LEADERSHIP TEAM and working in a FUN and ENGAGED work environment?

If you answered yes to those questions, and you meet our qualifications, we would LOVE to see your application!

Responsibilities

• Direct the overall planning, operation, and management of communications programs and initiatives, including but not limited to establishing and evaluating services, programs, and overall standards for city-wide communication,
• Establishing a vision for the City’s communication and marketing initiatives while fostering collaboration, and teamwork to effectively communicate the City’s strategic priorities, initiatives core values and promote the City’s public image and services,
• Lead external communication efforts, including ensuring consistency in presenting City information to the public in a timely and effective manner, and oversight of written publication processes (writing articles, preparing and/or editing publications and presentations),
• Assist in the planning, leading, organizing, and managing print and TV media to enhance the image of the City and communicate City issues, actions, and services; manages consultants to provide assistance, when necessary,
• Serve as an advisor and provide leadership and management for media relations and communications, including preparing City Council Members, City Manager, and for media contacts and events especially relating to high profile and/or politically sensitive issues and initiatives.
• Anticipate media inquiries and responses and prepare representatives accordingly,
• Establish and maintain social media accounts on behalf of the City,
• Assist in the dissemination of prompt and accurate emergent public information during emergencies and disaster situations, as requested,
• Develop, organize, implement, and maintain an internal communications plan to communicate information to employees, ensuring a consistent, effective, and efficient process; Lead or facilitate interdepartmental communications on City publications and opportunities,
• Develop, recommend, and implement new communications methods and enhancements to better achieve City goals, including fostering the organization's core values and marketing City services to citizens, community groups, and other external organizations,
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with government, community leaders, internal information sources, and the media,
• Develop and promote the City brand,
• Manage and participate in developing and administering the department budget and estimating funds needed for equipment and materials; Direct the monitoring and approval of expenditures; Direct the preparation and implementation of budget adjustments as necessary,
• Manage and operate video productions and photographs, including applicable televised broadcasts, as necessary,
• Schedule and coordinate meetings for conference rooms, training rooms, council and municipal court meetings, and manage and share City calendar and meeting resources,
• Ensure all public hearings are scheduled and posted to City calendar and website,
• Attend, participate, and report POA meetings,
• Coordinate City events in conjunction with Celebration Committee, City Manager, and City Council,
• Manage city records in accordance with City ordinances and Records Management Program,
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Training, Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Website content management and/or design.
• 5 years in media relations, communications, marketing and/or journalism.

Preferred Training, Education and Experience:

• 7 years related experience and/or training; or a master’s degree from a college or university plus two years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Requirements – Certificates/Licensures:

• Valid Texas driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to utilize all means of appropriate communication methods for various communications
• Ability to write professional public relations materials, news releases, internal and external press releases, agenda items for City Council, emails, presentations, planning and development, policies, ordinances, and contracts
• High level of critical thinking and excellent analytical skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven attention to detail
• Ability to interact with all levels of government, as well as citizens and other public leaders
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Ability to stay up to date on current events within the area and the City
• Ability to make decisions quickly
• Self-driven with ability to manage numerous daily activities

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, grasp, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Lifting, moving, pushing or pulling up to 10 pounds does not generally occur, but may occur when lifting boxes, books or paper. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, distance vision.

The City of Horseshoe Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job responsibilities may be modified by the City of Horseshoe Bay based on business need.

Compensation for this position is dependent upon qualifications.

All job offers are contingent on a background check which includes a criminal background and driver license check.