Current SAWS Employees Only* Director – Communications

San Antonio Water System; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 116,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

San Antonio Water System seeks a Director of Communications to lead external and digital communications, media relations, and community outreach. This role translates complex technical information into clear messaging across channels and guides crisis communications and brand management.

Reporting to the Senior VP of Communications & External Affairs, you will supervise a team, manage contracts and budgets, and partner with executives to advance SAWS’s strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• Eight years’ progressive experience in advertising, marketing, public relations, or journalism with at least five years supervisory experience.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, develops, trains, and evaluates personnel; manages team resources, budgets, contracts, and project priorities.
• Manages creative and communication strategy contracts.
• Develops and implements integrated external communications plans aligned with SAWS’ strategic objectives; evaluates effectiveness and adjusts strategies using performance measures.
• Partners with executive leadership to translate complex technical information into clear communications across channels.
• Leads cross-functional communications projects and coordinates outside agencies, consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Directs media relations, including news releases, advisories, and spokesperson preparation.
• Develops executive communications, speeches, and internal messaging for senior leadership.
• Anticipates issues and leads crisis communications and digital updates.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Media relations

Content strategy

Crisis communication

Digital communications

Public speaking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field

Job description

Grade 25: Salary Starts at $129,251.00 annually. Rate of pay depends on qualifications.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director - Communications provides strategic leadership for San Antonio Water System’s (SAWS) external communications, media relations, digital communications, social media, and community outreach. This position develops and executes integrated communication strategies that strengthen the public understanding, safeguard SAWS’ reputation, support organizational priorities, and ensures consistent, accessible messaging across all channels. The Director also leads communication initiatives, community outreach, and partnering with departments and community stakeholders to expand awareness and engagement. The Director-Communications reports to the Senior Vice President-Communications & External Affairs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises, selects, develops, trains, and evaluates personnel; manages team resources, budgets, contracts, and project priorities.
• Manages creative and communication strategy contracts.
• Develops and implements integrated external communications plans aligned with SAWS’ strategic objectives; evaluates effectiveness and adjusts strategies using performance measures.
• Partners with executive leadership and departments to translate complex technical, operational, conservation, and customer-service information into clear, accurate communications.
• Leads cross-functional communications projects, manages competing deadlines, and coordinates outside agencies, consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Directs proactive and responsive media relations, including news releases, advisories, media briefings, editorial opportunities, talking points, and spokesperson preparation.
• Builds productive relationships with local, regional, national, and trade media; serves as a spokesperson as assigned.
• Develops executive communications, speeches, briefing materials, and internal messaging for senior leadership.
• Anticipates emerging issues and leads coordinated crisis and incident communications, including timely digital updates and reputation management.
• Leads SAWS’ social media strategy, editorial planning, audience engagement, content governance, brand protection, and performance analysis across platforms.
• Develops integrated digital and traditional campaigns that use audience insights and analytics to improve reach, engagement, and customer understanding.
• Maintains editorial standards, messaging consistency, and brand integrity across communications channels.
• Coordinates editorial calendars, production schedules, agency deliverables, and communications supporting major SAWS initiatives.
• Collaborates with Conservation, Education, Customer Experience, and other departments to communicate programs and encourage customer participation and behavior change.
• Supports public awareness and outreach for SAWS affordability assistance programs, including audience-focused messaging and partnerships with community and nonprofit organizations.
• Builds relationships with community leaders, educational partners, and stakeholders; supports outreach events and public information initiatives.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field from a recognized accredited educational institution.
• Eight years’ progressively responsible experience in advertising, marketing, public relations, or journalism including five years’ experience in supervising personnel.
• Valid Class “C” Texas Driver’s License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience developing communications strategies, writing and editing for diverse audiences, and managing media relations and complex projects.
• Prior experience in negotiation and placement of advertising and news media pitching.
• Prior experience writing, presenting, and developing creative communications.
• Advanced degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field from a recognized accredited educational institution.
• Experience in public utilities, public agencies, or other complex, high-visibility organizations.
• Experience advising executive leadership, communicating technical or policy issues, and managing crisis communications.
• Demonstrated success leading award-winning or measurable digital, social media, editorial, media relations, or public information initiatives.
• Experience overseeing website redesigns or content migrations, search-optimized content, and digital quality assurance.
• Experience developing public education, conservation, customer service, or community outreach campaigns.

JOB DIMENSIONS

• Working knowledge of social media management, website content, editorial production, analytics, and contemporary digital communications practices.
• Excellent verbal and written, interpersonal, and presentation skills; proficiency with standard business, publishing, and presentation software.
• Skill in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, desktop publishing and graphics software.
• Contact with internal and external customers, including SAWS senior management, the media, advertising agencies, public relations agencies, representatives of stakeholder organizations (i.e., civic groups and non-profit organizations), consultants, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to develop and administers an annual departmental budget in excess of $400,000.
• Ability to work in biological and equipment heavy environments and must be prepared to discuss very technical issues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical requirements include lifting up to 20 pounds occasionally (photo and presentation equipment). Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with frequent field visits to other locations, facilities, municipal buildings, and special event locations. Also operates a company/personal vehicle on a regular basis.

May be required to work hours other than regular schedule, including nights and weekends.