Communications Director

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Disability accommodations

Job summary

Office of the Minority Leader in Florida seeks a Communications Director to develop and implement communications strategies, organize press conferences, draft speeches and talking points, and respond to press inquiries. The role includes rapid-response communications and guidance to legislators on media appearances.

This position is a technical expert within the office, ensuring brand consistency across channels and alignment with legislative priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of professional experience in communications work.
• A master’s degree can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• A juris doctorate or doctorate can substitute for two years of the required experience.
• Professional experience can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategies and organize press conferences.
• Draft speeches, talking points, op-eds, and digital content.
• Lead media relations and cultivate contacts with journalists and community leaders across Florida.
• Coordinate staff workload and ensure compliance with House communication standards.
• Provide media coaching and prepare legislators for appearances.

Skills

Press relations

Crisis communications

Copywriting

Digital media strategy

Speechwriting

Media coaching

Brand messaging

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree substitutes 1 year

Juris Doctor/Doctorate substitutes 2 years

Job description

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Office of the Minority Leader
(Democratic Office)

Job Title:

Communications Director

General Summary:

This position functions as a technical expert to the Office of the Minority Leader. The Communications Director will develop and implement communications strategies, organize press conferences, draft speeches and talking points, and respond to press inquiries.

Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Establishes and drives a multi-channel communications strategy aligned with the Minority Leader’s priorities and messaging goals.
• Prepares and manages communications materials, including press releases, statements, talking points, op-eds, and digital content.
• Develops and maintains a consistent brand voice and message discipline across all platforms and channels.
• Manages media relations and cultivates contacts with journalists, editorial boards, and community leaders across Florida.
• Leads and coordinates the work of communications, digital, and design staff as needed.
• Assists in the creation of digital, video, audio, and print content to support legislators and the Office of the Minority Leader.
• Ensures compliance with applicable House communication standards.
• Develops and executes rapid-response communications in response to breaking news developments.
• Supports individual members with media coaching, floor speech preparation, and constituent communications.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Florida state government, legislative rules, ethics, and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable computer, spreadsheet, databases, and word processing programs.
• Knowledge and proficiency with a wide range of communications technologies and platforms.
• Knowledge of copywriting, graphic design principles, layout, and publishing for both digital and print.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and social media strategy.
• Skill in rapid-response and crisis communications.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, and organization.
• Skill in copywriting and copy-editing abilities, with a sharp eye for message clarity and political nuance.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations that lack clear direction.
• Ability to produce quality work under pressure.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of Representatives, their staff, the public, and others.
• Ability to prepare and coach legislators for media appearances.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and contribute to the efficient internal functioning of the office staff.
• Ability to conduct in-depth, carefully documented, and credible analysis under minimal supervision within established deadlines.
• Ability to conduct meetings and make presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to organize data into a logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience in communications work.

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience.

A juris doctorate or doctorate from an accredited college or university can substitute for two years of the required experience.

Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

Salary:

Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at [phone].

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.