Communications / Media Manager

Strategic Government Resources, Inc.; Salina (KS); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Salina in Salina, Kansas, seeks a Communications/Media Manager to connect the city with residents through timely public information. You will guide media relations, digital communications, campaigns, and outreach across City services, projects, and events.

You will lead a team, advise leadership on messaging, produce content, and coordinate press conferences while supporting emergency information operations and analytics to improve reach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, journalism, public relations or related field.
• Three (3) years of public relations, marketing or relevant work experience.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serves as principal media contact & spokesperson, supporting transparent & timely public information.
• Develops proactive communications/marketing strategies; coordinates media inquiries & emerging issues; oversees content across web, social media, video, print & other channels; supports public communications during emergencies.
• Advises City leadership & departments on communications opportunities, public messaging & sensitive issues; recommends strategies to engage the public with initiatives.
• Produces educational & informational news content related to City services, functions & events; launches promotional messages in formats including press releases, newsletters, website content & social media.
• Organizes press conferences; supports emergency public-information operations; serves as Public Information Officer.
• Engages & informs citizens with timely, accurate information regarding organizational initiatives, projects, services & programs; meets with residents & groups to answer questions.
• Performs assessment & analytics to evaluate reach & effectiveness; builds partnerships with local media & organizations.
• Reviews webpages & electronic content to improve messaging, timeliness & grammar.
• Manages open records requests & releases City information per Kansas Open Records Act.
• Direct oversight of division staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Public relations

Marketing

Supervision

Desktop publishing

Graphics software

Education

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

Tools

Content management systems

Video editing software

Graphic design software

Job description

COMMUNICATIONS / MEDIA MANAGER

City of Salina, Kansas

City Manager’s Office

The Communications/Media Manager plays a vital role in connecting the City of Salina with the people it serves through clear & timely public information. This long-term leadership opportunity helps strengthen community engagement by guiding media relations, digital communications, public awareness campaigns, & outreach on City services, projects, & events. The position makes a meaningful impact on Salina by ensuring residents have accessible information & opportunities to stay informed, involved, & prepared—including during emergencies. With broad collaboration across City departments, local media, & community organizations, this role offers a rewarding chance to translate important municipal initiatives into communications that benefit the entire community. The position combines purposeful public service with a primarily office-based work environment & flexibility to support occasional irregular scheduling needs, promoting a sustainable balance between professional responsibility & personal life.

Duties:

• Serves as principal media contact & spokesperson, supporting transparent & timely public information.
• Develops proactive communications/marketing strategies; coordinates responses to media inquiries & emerging issues; oversees content across web, social media, video, print, & other channels; supports public communications during emergencies & incidents.
• Advises City leadership & departments on communications opportunities, public messaging, & sensitive issues; recommends strategies to bring public attention to & involvement with initiatives.
• Produces educational & informational news content related to City services, functions, & events; prepares & launches a variety of promotional messages & public awareness campaigns in various formats, including press releases, newsletters, professional journals, website content, public presentations, videos, radio shows, mail campaigns, media outlets, & social media venues to assist in educational & branding efforts.
• Organizes press conferences; supports emergency public-information operations, including coordination with emergency management; serves as Public Information Officer.
• Engages & informs citizens by providing timely, accurate, concise & strategic information regarding organizational initiatives, projects, services, & programs; meets with citizens, neighborhood organizations & other groups to answer questions & provide service information.
• Performs continual assessment & use of analytics to evaluate reach, public understanding, & effectiveness; builds collaborative partnerships with local media, agencies, & organizations.
• Reviews organizational webpages & other electronic forms of information to make recommendations regarding form of message, content, timeliness, communication approach & grammar.
• Manages open records requests & approves release of City information in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act.
• Direct oversight of division staff.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, journalism, public relations or related field.

Experience:

• Strong communication skills; demonstrated competency regarding the use of current electronic media & engagement tools, desktop publishing, & graphics software.
• Three (3) years of public relations, marketing or relevant work experience.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Kansas driver’s license required.

Work Type:

• Light, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Works inside with limited work outside.

Equipment:

• Calculator, computer, copy machine, fax machine, printer, scanner, tablet, telephone, & video camera.

Hours:

• Monday – Friday.
• 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Attends meetings outside of normal office hours.

Compensation DOQ EOE:

• Full pay range: $56,099-89,760/yr.
• Starting pay range: $56,099-58,926/yr.

Paid Time Off:

• 60 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 60 hours earned during the year (120 hours in first year).
• 96 hours of sick leave during first year.

Benefits Summary

Position Description

Application Deadline:

• Until filled

Contact Information:

City of Salina

Human Resources Department

Office: 785-833-8018

Email: [e-mail]

Website: salina-ks.gov

The City of Salina is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace.