Chief Communications Officer

City of Indianapolis & Marion County; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City-County Council seeks a Chief Communications Officer to serve as the senior communications advisor and lead the development and execution of communications strategies for legislative, fiscal, constituent-service, and organizational priorities. You will oversee branding, media relations, and public engagement, acting as spokesperson as designated.

You’ll supervise the Public Information Officer and collaborate with Council leadership, staff, city agencies, media, and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus relevant professional experience required.
• 3+ years in strategic communications, media relations, or public affairs.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to support Council-driven policies.
• Develop and implement strategic communications plans aligned with priorities and budget actions.
• Serve as the Council's official media spokesperson when designated and prepare Councilors for media engagement.
• Coordinate press conferences with City departments and agencies to ensure consistent messaging.
• Draft and edit all public communications, including news releases, statements, and digital content.
• Establish editorial and accessibility standards across all communications.
• Supervise the Public Information Officer and communications staff.
• Support Councilors' public appearances and community engagement activities.
• Lead emergency communications with rapid-response protocols.

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public affairs, marketing, public administration, political science, telecommunications, or closely related discipline

Job description

Agency Summary

The City-County Council is the legislative branch of our local government. In addition to adopting budgets, levying taxes, and authorizing financial appropriations to fund city and county operations, the council is responsible for enacting, repealing, and amending local laws. The Council appoints members to boards and commissions that serve the community, and all meetings are open to the public.

Job Summary

The Chief Communications Officer serves as the senior communications advisor to the Indianapolis City-County Council and provides comprehensive internal and external communications support to Council leadership and individual Councilors. The position leads the development and execution of communications strategies that advance the Council's legislative, fiscal, constituent-service, and organizational priorities.

The Chief Communications Officer oversees Council and Councilor branding and messaging; provides strategic communications guidance to Council leadership; manages media relations and public engagement; and ensures timely, accurate, accessible, and nonpartisan dissemination of information. The position acts as the Council's spokesperson when designated and establishes standards, protocols, and processes that maintain consistency with Council priorities and safeguard the Council's reputation.

This role supervises the Public Information Officer. The Chief Communications Officer works closely with Council leadership, Council staff, City-County agencies, media representatives, and community stakeholders to effectively communicate Council actions and support public understanding of Council initiatives.

The position exercises discretion within parameters set by the Council President in coordination with Council leadership and staff. Messaging decisions are thoroughly discussed with Council Leadership, Council staff, and subject matter experts as appropriate.

Significant professional judgment is required when engaging with media, community organizations, and civic leaders. Errors in judgment could negatively impact Council operations, cause reputational harm, or expose the City to legal or financial liability.

Work is reviewed on an as-needed basis in addition to an annual evaluation. The position requires initiative, independent decision-making, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

• Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to support Council-driven policies and strengthen understanding of Council initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategic communications plans aligned with Council priorities, the legislative calendar, major proposals, budget actions, public hearings, and organizational needs.
• Serve as the Council's official media spokesperson when designated, coordinating interviews, responding to inquiries, and preparing Councilors for media engagement.
• Work closely with communications personnel across City departments and agencies to coordinate press conferences and ensure consistent, accurate, and aligned messaging in all public information efforts.
• Facilitate Council-related news conferences and events, and lead the drafting, writing, reviewing, and editing of all public communications, including briefing materials, news releases, statements, newsletters, speeches, presentations, articles, and digital content.
• Establish and enforce editorial, branding, accessibility, language-access, and quality-control standards across all Council communications.
• Supervise and evaluate the Public Information Officer and communications personnel; oversee day-to-day management of Council social media channels, content creation, strategy, and monitoring of constituent feedback.
• Manage and support Councilors' public appearances and community engagement activities as needed.
• Lead Council emergency communications, including rapid-response protocols and high-profile issues management.
• Establish workflows for media inquiries, content approvals, emergency alerts, and Councilor communications requests to ensure timely and accurate information flow.
• Monitor media coverage, public sentiment, and emerging issues, and use analytics to assess digital engagement, media reach, and overall communications effectiveness.
• Maintain clear separation between official governmental communications and political or campaign-related activities.
• Manage Council website content in coordination with Council staff, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• In collaboration with appropriate staff, direct the creation of communications policies, procedures, sponsorship guidelines, and crisis-management protocols.
• Build and foster effective working relationships with media organizations, citizens, community groups, schools, public agencies, regional partners, and other entities essential to the Council's mission.
• Respond to emergency situations, attend events, and participate in meetings outside traditional business hours as required.
• Act with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment at all times.
• Perform additional duties as assigned; responsibilities may expand based on organizational needs.

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public affairs, marketing, public administration, political science, telecommunications, or a closely related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, or a related field is required, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. Candidates must demonstrate advanced proficiency in written and oral communication, comprehensive knowledge of communications and marketing methodologies, and the ability to design and execute complex, enterprise-level communication strategies. Additional qualifications include strong analytical judgment, familiarity with governmental operations, and the capacity to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

In addition to the minimum job requirements, A minimum of five (5) years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, or a related field is required, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Essential functions are regularly performed in an office setting without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Conditions

1. Sitting at a desk the majority of the day
2. Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10) pounds
3. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation
4. Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals
5. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally