Communication Director

City of Racine; Hall (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Racine is seeking a Communications Director who will serve as the Chief Spokesperson and Public Information Officer, directing the dissemination of accurate, timely public information on City initiatives. The role leads emergency communications, collaborates with City leadership, and ensures messaging aligns with brand standards.

You will develop equity-focused communication strategies across traditional, digital, and social platforms to engage residents and stakeholders effectively.

Qualifications

• Present sensitive and/or complex issues to large diverse groups in an understandable way
• Write clear, concise, accurate content for diverse audiences
• Make sound decisions and communicate with press/public with little notice
• Work with diverse individuals with patience, empathy and professionalism
• Develop and maintain relationships with officials, media, and public
• Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines in a changing environment
• Research, analyze, and present background information for city council
• Maintain confidentiality
• Coordinate with City leadership and departments
• Communicate effectively in English and complete assignments timely
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement citywide communications strategies ensuring accuracy and accessibility of information
• Lead media relations with local, regional, and national outlets
• Plan and coordinate media events, press conferences, and public announcements
• Establish and maintain a network of media contacts to promote City initiatives
• Develop talking points and messages for high-profile or crisis situations
• Serve as a communications resource to Mayor and City leadership
• Support communications needs of the City and respond to information requests
• Operate in a professional office environment with limited environmental exposure

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Public speaking

Written communication

Policy communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Communications Director holds a leadership position within the Department of Customer Service and reports directly to the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk. The position serves as the City’s Chief Spokesperson and Public Information Officer (PIO) and is responsible for directing the dissemination of comprehensive, accurate, and timely public information and messaging on a wide variety of City issues and initiatives.

The Communications Director oversees the City’s day-to-day messaging and communications, leads emergency and crisis communications, and ensures consistency with established City brand standards. The position works collaboratively with the Mayor, City Administrator, Director of Customer Service/City Clerk, department directors, and other City leadership to coordinate communications, respond to information requests, and support effective communication regarding City operations, programs, services, and Common Council matters.

The position is responsible for developing and implementing an equity-driven, citywide communications strategy that leverages traditional media, digital and social media platforms, community engagement, and other communication channels to effectively inform and engage residents and stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develop and implement high-impact, citywide communications strategies that ensure the accuracy, clarity, consistency, and accessibility of information related to City of Racine operations, programs, services, initiatives, concerns, issues, and interests.


• Lead proactive and responsive media relations efforts, fostering positive and constructive relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets while coordinating messaging with the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk and appropriate City leadership.


• Plan, coordinate, and lead media events, press conferences, public announcements, and other communications initiatives in collaboration with the Mayor, City Administrator, Director of Customer Service/City Clerk, City departments, and divisions to effectively showcase City initiatives, programs, services, and accomplishments.


• Establish and maintain a robust network of local, regional, and national media contacts and proactively leverage these relationships to promote accurate and positive coverage of City operations, programs, services, and initiatives.


• Develop key messages, talking points, and communication strategies for high-profile, sensitive, or rapidly developing issues, including natural disasters, public safety emergencies, crisis situations, and other matters requiring coordinated City communications.


• Serve as a communications resource to the Mayor, City Administrator, department directors, and other City leadership while maintaining appropriate coordination and reporting through the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk.


• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk and as necessary to support the communications needs and priorities of the City of Racine.


• Work has no significant exposure to adverse environmental conditions and is generally performed in a moderately noisy office environment (e.g., business office or light traffic).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Present sensitive and/or complex issues, both orally and in writing, to large diverse groups in a relatable and easy-to-understand fashion


• Write clear, concise, effective, professional, and grammatically and factually accurate content


• Make sound decisions and communicate effectively with the members of the press and public with little advance notice


• Work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences while exhibiting patience, empathy, and professionalism


• Develop and maintain effective working relationships, work in an open and approachable manner with elected and appointed officials, media, members of the public, and city staff at all levels


• Manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, often under tight deadlines and in a changing, complex environment; demonstrate strong organizational and management skills


• Research, analyze, and present background information on a wide variety of assigned projects, programs, and topics, relative to issues pending before the city council


• Achieve desired results in the midst of changing deadlines, project requirements, or project needs


• Maintain strict confidentiality


• Display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of city employees, the general public, and other organizations


• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance


• Complete assignments in a timely fashion

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field from an accredited college or university.


• Demonstrated expertise with a minimum of five years of progressive experience in Communications/media relations, legislative or policy research, or public relations.


• Valid Driver’s license at time of hire and throughout employment and availability of a properly insured vehicle for use on the job.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION:

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken words levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities.