What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing position at City of Killeen, TX?
Job Description
The Communications and Marketing Director leads the strategic vision for the City of Killeen’s communications, branding, and public engagement efforts. This role requires a dynamic leader with a passion for storytelling, a knack for creative marketing, and the ability to manage a variety of initiatives that enhance the city’s image and connect with the community.
Join a team that values innovation, strategic thinking, and authentic engagement. We seek professionals who bring not just expertise, but a true passion for communication and outreach. At the City of Killeen, your ideas will shape the way we inform, inspire, and connect with our residents. Your contributions won’t just be seen—they’ll make a lasting impact.
GENERAL PURPOSE
To plan, organize, direct and manage all aspects of the Communications and Marketing Department. To design, develop and implement a strategic communication and a comprehensive public relations and marketing program for the City of Killeen that develops a positive public image and an informed citizenry. To enhance the municipality’s public image, engage residents, and promote community initiatives through public relations, marketing and community outreach. To plan and direct the activities and operations of Printing Services.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises supervision of the employees in the Communications and Marketing Department.
Essential Duties
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Plans and directs the goals and objectives of the Communications and Marketing Department, which includes comprehensive Communications and Marketing plans, as well as Public Relations, and Printing Services.
Serves as strategic communications advisor to City staff, management, and leadership.
Serves as the official City spokesperson.
Maintains crisis communications resources, ensures emergency training requirements of self and subordinates are current and complete, and creates community connections for use during emergency preparation and response.
Develops, implements, and oversees policies, procedures, programs, and systems that keep all Killeen stakeholders informed about City issues of interest or importance.
Collaborate with various departments, elected officials, and community stakeholders to align communication efforts with overall municipal objectives
Facilitates effective messaging and communication within the municipality, ensuring staff are well-informed about organizational goals and initiatives.
Provides communications advice, counsel and messaging for the Mayor/Council and leadership team, which includes forecasting potential ramifications, implications and unintended consequences where improper handling could have adverse impacts on the City.
Provides proactive strategic support and problem solving to position the City in the most favorable and transparent position within the community and marketplace.
Edits and reviews documents prior to publishing, as needed. Ensures accuracy of text, consistency of appearance, and conformance of layout with City graphic & brand standards.
Oversees media relations to include strategizing release of information, developing and distributing materials, planning events, responding to media inquiries, and evaluating coverage.
Oversees programs that keep all City employees informed of issues critical to them as individuals, as well as those activities and events that affect the entire workforce to include producing the employee newsletter, coordinating employee meetings, servicing employee information needs, and managing printed and digital information dissemination.
Oversees the development and operation of the City’s online/digital presence, including the website, ensuring it meets organizational needs, complies with federal and state laws and accessibility standards, and remains functional, updated, and available to the public.
Oversees the development, management, use, and content of all social media outlets including organizational policy development and application.
Oversees the multimedia operations of the City which include the Government Access Channel, production, broadcast, streaming, and archiving of City Council meetings, regular and special program video development, content creation, and distribution, project management, digital graphic design and support for all departments and digital communication outlets.
Develops, coordinates and manages specialized public relations projects between the City of Killeen and other entities.
Builds and maintains positive relationships with media outlets, and journalists.
Crafts press releases, statements, and other communications materials to address public inquiries and issues.
Ensures consistent messaging and branding across all communication channels.
Develops and maintain brand and trademark/logo guidelines to uphold the municipality’s image.
Implements digital marketing campaigns to promote events, initiatives, and public services.
Utilizes data analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of communication and marketing efforts and makes data-driven recommendations for optimizing strategies and improving outreach.
Develops and executes community engagement programs to involve residents in municipal activities and decision-making and organizes public events, forums, and workshops to gather feedback and address community concerns.
Oversees Printing Services to include establishing expectations and standards, approving work plans, evaluating services and products, and maximizing resources.
Develops, administers and evaluates the budgets of Communications, Printing Services and the Public, Education and Government (PEG) Fund, ensuring efficient allocation of resources. Supervises subordinate employees to include hiring, training, evaluation and retention.
Develops and oversees Killeen Citizens Academy program.
Coordinates annual United Way fundraising Campaign initiative for the City of Killeen.
Serves as a representative of the City of Killeen, in a public relations capacity, at various meetings, conventions, and seminars.
Serves as the City’s protocol officer.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree Business Administration, Public Relations, Communications, or related field required; Master’s degree, preferred; and
- Five (5) years of experience in Public Relations, Communications, Government or related field;
- Two (2) years of supervisory or management experience;
- Public sector experience, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Considerable knowledge of strategic communications, public relations principles and practices;
- Must be able to understand complex subjects and ideas and communicate them in a clear, concise and understandable manner;
- Skill to operate word processing and desktop publishing software.
- Maintain effective working relationships with City Management, City Council, City department leaders and employees, and the general public
- Ability to oversee, plan, and organize Communication projects and processes
- Maintains regular and punctual attendance.
Special Requirements
- Must possess a valid driver's license or obtain one by date of hire.
- Completes National Incident Management System (NIMS) training within first year of employment.
Supplemental Information
Tools and Equipment Used
Personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software; camera, digital camera; telephone; pager; copy machine, and fax machine.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Selection Guidelines
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
