Chief Communications Officer

City of Indianapolis; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Indianapolis is seeking a Chief Communications Officer to serve as the senior communications advisor to the City-County Council. You will develop and execute communications strategies to advance legislative, fiscal, constituent-service, and organizational priorities.

You will oversee branding, messaging, media relations, and public engagement, ensuring timely, accurate, and nonpartisan dissemination of information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree expected in a related field; equivalent education/experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, or public affairs.
• Experience in coordinating communications strategies and acting as a spokesperson is preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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 and preparing Councilors for media engagement.
• Coordinate press conferences and ensure consistent, accurate messaging across departments and agencies.
• Draft and edit public communications, including briefing materials, news releases, statements, newsletters, speeches, and digital content.
• Establish standards for editorial branding, accessibility, and quality control across Council communications.
• Supervise communications staff and oversee social media strategy and engagement.
• Support Councilors’ public appearances and community engagement activities as needed.
• Lead emergency communications and rapid-response protocols for high-profile issues.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Public affairs

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.

Overview

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.

Position Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

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