Communications Manager

Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District; Taylorsville (UT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District seeks a Communications Manager to lead strategic communications, public relations, and marketing efforts across the MSD and member communities. You will coordinate media relations, public information, and outreach programs with a focus on clear, accessible content.

The role includes serving as MSD’s PIO during emergencies and guiding digital presence, branding, and public communications across channels, including social media and newsletters.

Qualifications

• Expert written and verbal communication with media, officials and public.
• Strong knowledge of PR concepts, strategies and campaigns.
• Experience with website CMS and social-media analytics.
• Crisis communication and community outreach experience.
• Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communication, marketing, branding and outreach plans.
• Develop and implement media relations and public information programs.
• Prepare talking points, press releases and reports; deliver clear content.
• Act as PIO during emergencies; coordinate with partners and agencies.
• Oversee MSD.org and social media; ensure privacy, ADA and security compliance.
• Support leaders with media communications and promotional materials.
• Assist with special events and community outreach activities.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Social media

Branding

Marketing comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Marketing, or Communications

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Communications Manager develops, manages, implements, and monitors the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District's (MSD) strategic communication efforts with respect to public relations, government relations, social media, and marketing. This individual collaborates with the MSD member communities, private-sector business community, and various governmental agencies.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Relations, Marketing, Communication, or a closely related field, plus five (5) years of related experience; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid and unencumbered Utah driver's license.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the employee(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position.

Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Responsible for strategic comprehensive communication, marketing, branding and outreach plans and programs. Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness, making adjustments to achieve strategic messaging goals.
• Responsible for the organizational communication policies, effective public relations, media strategies, and how to build rapport with communities and the media and associated staff training.
• Designated contact for media inquiries relating to emergency operations, special events, or programs that advance community and MSD objective. Provides talking points, direct responses, press releases, and special reports. Conveys complex issues in succinct and easy-to-read content.
• Assumes MSD Public Information Officer (PIO) roles during emergencies and disasters as assigned. Serves as a designated MSD Point of Contact (POC) for CISA's Priority Telecommunications Services (PTS), which includes GETS (Government Emergency Telecommunications Service) and WPS (Wireless Priority Service).
• Responsible for MSD's websites and social media efforts, liaison with news agencies and supports MSD members as requested. Ensures website and media content meet all privacy, ADA, and security requirements.
• Monitors news, social media, and other outlets regarding information pertaining to the organization; advises staff on sensitive political issues and effective communication techniques.
• Assists Mayors, City Managers, and other key leaders with media communications and with the development of marketing plans, promotional efforts, and the production and design of brochures, newsletters, postcards, and other written or digital media.
• Assists with special events such as dedications, groundbreakings, open houses, community events, and ribbon cuttings.
• Ensure all communication materials developed with artificial intelligence tools comply with the MSD Policy, using AI only for approved purposes, safeguarding sensitive information, and maintaining accuracy.
• Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Methods, techniques, and styles of business and article writing, organization, spelling, grammar, editing, punctuation, and word usage.
• Communication and public relations concepts, practices, principles, and strategies.
• Working knowledge of the Internet and website content management systems and the ability to oversee website design, development and maintenance (need not be a Web programmer) for MSD and its Member Communities.
• Administration of social media accounts and tracking analytics.
• Principles and practices of organization administration, budgeting, and public information.
• A variety of word processing and desktop publishing equipment and software programs (Adobe Creative), used across traditional and social media platforms.
• Principles, techniques, procedures, and methods used in the composition and production of a variety of print, digital, and video communications.
• Information dissemination techniques utilizing news media, social media, websites, mailers, newsletters, and presentations.
• Project management.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Exceptional professional communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the news media, employees, government officials, and the general public in a variety of settings and circumstances. Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.
• Coordinate community relations activities, and professionally understand crisis management.
• Collaborate in a dynamic environment with other agencies, employees, and member representatives on shared projects.
• Simultaneously manage multiple complex projects.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position requires work in a wide variety of conditions, from a typical office setting to field work.
• This position will require attendance at some evening meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk, move, talk, and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• This position can be highly stressful, especially during times of turmoil, and requires the incumbent to maintain their composure and professional bearing at all times.

The MSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Recruitment is open to all persons who meet minimum requirements regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, genetic information, gender, sexual preference, pregnancy, military status, age or disability. The MSD will make reasonable accommodations for disabilities.