Communications Director

City of Bowie; Bowie (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bowie is seeking a seasoned Director of Communications to lead citywide messaging, branding, and media relations. Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the role oversees public information, broadcasting, design, and digital media to support programs and emergencies.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in communications or related field, with strong leadership and a proven track record in strategic planning; expertise in social media, video production, and open government

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, marketing, public relations, English, or related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media, including at least three years in a supervisory or management role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive city-wide communications strategies and campaigns to support City programs, services, and policy initiatives across all City departments.
• Supervise a multi-disciplinary team responsible for public information, broadcasting, graphic design, social media, and digital media production.
• Oversee the creation, publication, and distribution of the City’s newsletters, promotional materials, and emergency alerts.
• Coordinate the use of the City’s social media presence, including message development, audience engagement, and performance monitoring.
• Oversee the broadcast and recording of City Council meetings, public hearings, and special events on the government access channel.
• Collaborate with departments to maintain message consistency, branding alignment, and high standards for visual, written, and digital communication for department level work.
• Development and management of the division’s annual budget, staffing, and equipment procurement, including maintenance of broadcast and production systems.
• Monitor community discussion platforms and coordinate appropriate outreach or response.
• Coordinate special publications and major speechwriting efforts, including the Mayor’s State of the City presentation.
• Stay informed on emerging communications technologies and industry trends and apply them to improve outreach and effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary media contact for the City, while establishing and maintaining relationships with local media, managing inquiries, providing background information, developing talking points, and issuing press releases.
• Maintain knowledge of City projects and services to respond accurately to public and media inquiries or route them to the appropriate source.
• Serve as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies, weather events, and sensitive situations; coordinate real-time communications and ensure message clarity.
• Provide oversight and approval of all content for the City’s website, newsletters, and publications; ensure materials are accurate and aligned with branding.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Media relations

Emergency comms

Social media management

Video production

CMS management

Graphic design

Public speaking

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, marketing, public relations, English, or related field

Master’s degree in a related field desirable

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The City of Bowie is seeking a proven and experienced professional to serve as its next Director of Communications. Reporting directly to the Assistant City Manager, the successful applicant will be an experienced people manager, with significant experience managing and developing communication strategies, including through social media; brand management; production of video and broadcast content; and emergency messaging. This individual must be a skilled problem solver with a proven ability to develop and disseminate clear, accurate and consistent messaging, and be able to communicate effectively with all members of the community.

The successful applicant will also possess the following attributes:

• Strong leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively during emergencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in video production, website content management systems, graphic design software, Microsoft suite of products.
• Knowledge of the principles of communication and public relations, English usage, grammar, and composition.
• Knowledge of the characteristics and capabilities of printing methods, layout, typography, and composition.
• Knowledge of local government operations and organizations.
• Familiarity with public sector communications and open government principles, and the ability to choose appropriate means and techniques of disseminating information to desired audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others including the general public, coworkers, elected officials and all other stakeholders.

Essential responsibilities of this position will include, but not be limited to:

• Leading in the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies and campaigns to support City programs, services, and policy initiatives across all City departments.
• Supervising a multi-disciplinary team responsible for public information, broadcasting, graphic design, social media, and digital media production.
• Overseeing the creation, publication, and distribution of the City’s newsletters, promotional materials, and emergency alerts.
• Coordinating the use of the City’s social media presence, including message development, audience engagement, and performance monitoring.
• Overseeing the broadcast and recording of City Council meetings, public hearings, and special events on the government access channel.
• Collaboration with departments to maintain message consistency, branding alignment, and high standards for visual, written, and digital communication for department level work.
• Development and management of the division’s annual budget, staffing, and equipment procurement, including maintenance of broadcast and production systems.
• Monitoring community discussion platforms and coordinating appropriate outreach or response.
• Coordinating special publications and major speechwriting efforts, including the Mayor’s State of the City presentation.
• Staying informed on emerging communications technologies and industry trends and applying them to improve outreach and effectiveness.
• Serving as the primary media contact for the City, while establishing and maintaining strong relationships with local media, managing inquiries, providing background information, developing talking points, and issuing press releases.
• Maintaining knowledge of City projects and services to respond accurately to public and media inquiries or route them to the appropriate source.
• Serving as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies, weather events, and sensitive situations. Coordinating real-time communications, ensure message clarity and consistency, and provide timely information to media and the public.
• Providing oversight and approval of all content for the City’s website, newsletters, and publications; ensuring materials are accurate, accessible, well-written, and aligned with City branding standards.
• Maintaining outreach databases of local places of worship, community organizations, schools, and other partners.
• Performing other related duties as required or assigned.

The City of Bowie desires a Director of Communications with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs , Marketing, Public Relations, English, or a related field. A master’s degree in is highly desirable. Additionally the ideal candidate will also have Seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media, including at least three years in a supervisory or management role. Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), FEMA PIO training, or certifications from professional associations such as 3CMA, PRSA, or ICMA are advantageous.