DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS - County Administrator

Tarrant County; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarrant County seeks a Director of External Affairs to lead the countywide strategic communications plan, shaping the county brand across digital and print media. You will supervise content, QA/QC, and align intergovernmental affairs with promotional campaigns, ensuring consistent, accurate messaging.

You will act as a spokesperson during incidents, coordinate with department directors, and support emergency management crisis communications, workforce alerts, and media relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or related field; seven years of relevant experience.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in brand development, product/program promotion, employee and external communications, marketing and public relations, and similar promotional work.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license within thirty days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develops, directs, and deploys the County’s internal and external communication strategies, directing the creative design and reprographics teams in support of creating a recognizable brand in the information market.
• Defines creative, procedural, and substantive guidelines for all communications and marketing materials prepared by the County and vendors in support of County priorities, programs, and other initiatives for the benefit of County residents.
• Directs the creation of media libraries, shot lists, and production calendars in support of County priorities, programs, and other initiatives for the benefit of County residents.
• Oversees all aspects of communication work – audience, tone, timeliness – in directing External Affairs staff to create consistent themes and production schedules of material that delivery messaging with clarity while adhering to the County style guide.
• Serves as spokesperson for the County during critical incidents when appropriate, in collaboration with County departments, and prepare the due diligence required for each incident.
• Leads the response to media events, coordinating with County executive staff and relevant County department directors to provide accurate information to appropriate stakeholders and, where applicable, media outlets.

Skills

Communication

Editing

Organization

Leadership

Project management

Branding

Media relations

Crisis communications

MS Office 365

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Political Science, Journalism, Business, or related field

Master’s degree in Communications, English, Political Science, Journalism, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Summary

The Director of External Affairs will lead the development, deployment, and adaptation of a countywide strategic communications plan that integrates all Tarrant County communications. The role’s scope includes definition of a County brand and marketing for use in digital and print publications, supervision of content creation, direction of the department’s quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC), and alignment of the County’s intergovernmental affairs work with the County’s promotional campaigns. This director oversees external and internal communications, including County workforce alerts, editing of public-facing communications, and advises the County’s executive team on media campaigns in support of the County’s strategic plan. The director may also support County departments led by elected officials. The director, with the collaboration of County department directors, shapes annual communications programs through media planning. The director supports the County’s emergency management team in creating crisis communications plans and activating communications channels, supports legislative engagement communications where necessary, and exercises editorial control over County communications to ensure consistent, accurate, and strategic messaging on behalf of the County.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises one or more employees in the External Affairs department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these employee(s). Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the county’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develops, directs, and deploys the County’s internal and external communication strategies, directing the creative design and reprographics teams in support of creating a recognizable brand in the information market.


• Defines creative, procedural, and substantive guidelines for all communications and marketing materials prepared by the County and vendors in support of County priorities, programs, and other initiatives for the benefit of County residents.


• Directs the creation of media libraries, shot lists, and production calendars in support of County priorities, programs, and other initiatives for the benefit of County residents.


• Oversees all aspects of communication work – audience, tone, timeliness – in directing External Affairs staff to create consistent themes and production schedules of material that delivery messaging with clarity while adhering to the County style guide.


• Serves as spokesperson for the County during critical incidents when appropriate, in collaboration with County departments, and prepare the due diligence required for each incident.


• Leads the response to media events, coordinating with County executive staff and relevant County department directors to provide accurate information to appropriate stakeholders and, where applicable, media outlets.


• Builds and maintain relationships with journalists, community partners, and external organizations to build trust in and demand for County media products to expand the County’s audience and messaging reach.


• Advises County leadership on brand campaigns, communications strategies and tactics, and coordinates County operational messaging with the Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs’ legislative work in support of County priorities.


• Builds Countywide awareness of best practices for media and public engagement, coaching County staff on proven methods for increasing engagement with County media.


• Leads tracking of campaign metrics and analysis of the same to optimize communications and media strategies, increase engagement with the appropriate audiences, and allocate resources as necessary.


• Conducts regular check-ins with County department leadership to ensure unified messaging and aligned brand campaign consistent with County priorities.


• Manages partnerships with regional, statewide, and national media and communications stakeholders to enhance County brand and media strategies for continuous improvement and evolution of County outreach to the service area.


• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.


• High-level expertise in editing content for publication – digital and print.


• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.


• Must be able to stay organized and know how to prioritize the workload.


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.


• Competency with computers and Microsoft Office 365 Suite.


• Advanced analytical, organizational and project-management skills.


• Must be able to speak on behalf of Tarrant County during media interviews.


• Must have a strong understanding of branding, marketing, media and web-based campaign strategy development skills.


• Must be able to direct multiple team members in high-stress critical incidents to quickly and accurately disseminate information to County personnel and the public.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Political Science, Journalism, Business, or another related field, or equivalent.


• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in brand development, product/program promotion, employee and external communications, marketing and public relations, and similar promotional work.


• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire.

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s degree in Communications, English, Political Science, Journalism, Business, or another related field.


• Public sector experience – state, local, federal, and/or military.

Physical Demands And Work Environment & Other Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent may be required to bend, hear, keyboard, sit, stand, talk, work alone and with others, and work overtime. Must be able to lift no more than 25 lbs.?

Decision Making

Exercises independent judgment in developing and deploying communications and media strategies, making high-level decisions with supervisors and peer directors that directly affect County leadership, the public, and external partners.

Contacts

Interacts with County leadership, elected officials and their staff, media outlets, community groups affiliated with the County, not-for-profit agencies and similar stakeholders in the County and region, and the public.