Director, Office of Communications

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Disability and life insurance

Retirement benefit and 401a plan

Employer contributed 401a after one yr

Job summary

Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, seeks a dynamic Director for the Office of Communications. This executive role leads MPD’s communications team and shapes messaging for internal and external audiences, including employees, residents, media, and partners.

The Director will oversee media relations, digital storytelling, branding, events, and marketing initiatives, while ensuring adherence to guidelines and safeguarding public trust.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications-related field required; master's preferred.
• Experience leading communications strategies for large public-safety or government organizations.
• Strong knowledge of media relations, digital marketing, and branding best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-functional communications team of professional staff and sworn members.
• Advise the Chief of Police and senior leadership on communications strategies, employee engagement, and public messaging.
• Develop and oversee multi-channel communication strategies that align with MPD priorities.
• Collaborate with internal MPD bureaus and external partners to ensure messaging consistency.
• Participate in interview and selection processes for Office of Communications roles.
• Assign, monitor and evaluate projects, ensuring quality and brand alignment.
• Conduct quarterly and annual staff performance evaluations and provide feedback.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Media relations

Public affairs

Digital marketing

Internal communications

Brand management

Strategic thinking

Education

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

Master's degree preferred

Job description

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital — Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, the Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and saving options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a dynamic and experienced communications professional to serve as the Director for the Office of Communications. This executive leadership role is located within the Executive Office of the Chief of Police (EOCOP) and leads MPD’s Office of Communications (OC) Team that consists of professional staff and sworn members. The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies to enhance the department’s reputation, support its mission, and foster trust between MPD and the communities we serve. This position is central to shaping how MPD presents itself internally and externally—including to employees, D.C. residents, media, visitors, key stakeholders, partner agencies, and elected officials.

The incumbent works under the general administrative direction of the EOCOP Chief of Staff. Projects and assignments may be assigned by the Chief of Police, Chief of Staff, Bureau Heads or self-generated from interaction with internal and external groups and individuals. The Director oversees a wide-ranging portfolio that includes media relations, public affairs, digital marketing, internal communications, community outreach, marketing, brand and visual identity, and strategic event management. This role requires sound judgment, strong leadership, and the ability to manage high-stakes, time-sensitive communications across a complex public safety environment. The Director is often recognized as a technical authority in the interpretation and implementation of governing directives.

Guidelines consist of Department policies and precedents contained in directives, City Council issuances, Mayoral issuances, and other District and Federal guidelines, laws and precedents. The Director must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of and adherence to guidelines governing media relations, communications, and marketing theory; departmental objectives; and all relevant policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, Constitutional law, applicable federal statutes and regulations, District of Columbia laws and executive orders, as well as pertinent case law. The Director must also possess a working knowledge of grant application processes, budgetary procedures, and administrative systems, including the ability to conduct procedural and programmatic analysis. In addition, the Director is expected to remain fully informed of D.C. government personnel regulations and policies, particularly as they relate to the management and supervision of subordinates.

Leadership & Strategy

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Leading a cross-functional communications team of professional staff and sworn members, fostering growth and development, collaboration, and innovation.
• Serving as a trusted thought partner to the Chief of Police and the department’s senior leadership, advising on communications strategies, employee engagement, and public messaging.
• Developing and overseeing multi-channel communication strategies that align with MPD’s tagline, Policing with Purpose. Serving with Care.
• Collaborating effectively with internal MPD bureaus (e.g., HR, Legal, IT), the Executive Office of the Mayor, and local/federal law enforcement partners to ensure alignment across messaging.
• Participating in the interview and selection process for vacant positions within the Office of Communications, in collaboration with designated superiors in the chain of command.
• Assigning, monitoring, and evaluating projects delegated to team members, providing ongoing guidance and ensuring alignment with strategic communications goals.
• Reviewing, approving, and when necessary, modifying the work of subordinates to ensure quality, accuracy, adherence to best practices, and brand consistency.
• Conducting quarterly and annual staff performance evaluations, prepares related documentation, and provides counsel and regular feedback on job performance.

External Communications: Media Relations / Digital & Visual Communications:

• Building and maintaining relationships with national and local media outlets.
• Overseeing all media relations activities including inquiries, news releases, remarks, press events, and crisis communications, and conducting internal media training.
• Establishing trust and foster a culture of partnership, consensus, collaboration, and transparency with the Executive Office of the Mayor, local and federal law enforcement public information officer (PIO) partners.
• Developing proactive storylines and narrative strategies that promote MPD’s public safety priorities and accomplishments.
• Responding to urgent incidents, inquiries and breaking events with clear, accurate, and timely information.
• Overseeing digital storytelling efforts across MPD’s website, social media, and internal platforms.
• Ensuring visual content (photos, videos, graphics) aligns with brand standards and strategic objectives.
• Tracking digital engagement metrics to refine strategies and reaches target audiences.

Internal Communications

• Designing and implementing communications that inform and engage MPD’s workforce.
• Implementing executive communication best practices across all channels; writing speeches, leadership messages, presentations, talking points, video scripts, FAQs and newsletters that elevates the voices of the Chief of Police and leaders to target audiences.
• Serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership, advising on messaging, tone, and delivery to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact.
• Crafting and editing high-quality content for various internal channels (email, intranet, town halls, leadership communications, digital signage, video, and social platforms).

Events

• Leading communications planning and execution for internal and external events.
• Partnering with internal teams to ensure messaging consistency and operational excellence.
• Overseeing design, printing, writing and presentation development for key events and speaking engagements.
• Helping with the planning and execution of annual signature events such as the MPD Annual Awards Ceremony, Women’s Conference, etc.

Marketing

• Partnering with the Recruiting Team to support recruiting campaigns and branding strategies.
• Developing marketing materials and digital content that promote MPD as an employer of choice and help potential candidates understand what it’s like to work at MPD.
• Overseeing the research, planning, development, and execution of marketing initiatives to align with overall business goals to market MPD’s brand, and support recruiting outreach.
• Aligning messaging across job boards, social media, recruitment events, and career pages, recruitment ads, and email campaigns.
• Coordinating the intake, vetting, scheduling, and programming for international delegation requests.
• Managing the Ride Along Program ensuring applicants are vetted and scheduled.

Community Outreach

• Developing and implementing strategies and organize programs to engage and support community members, partners, faith-based organizations, business owners, civic organizations and other stakeholders to build relationships, identify needs and connect them with relevant services and resources.
• Developing and implementing programs that address public safety concerns, provide transparency, and build trust.
• Supporting the execution of volunteer programs and grassroots engagement.

Performing other related duties as assigned.

Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

Education

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field or a master’s degree is preferred.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the MS-14 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from public or private sector.

Five (5) to ten (10) years of specialized experience for this position include: experience developing and implementing communications and marketing strategies/plans for an agency; experience in media relations, special events planning and publicity, social media and web content development; experience in digital marketing including message development, analyzing metrics and identifying trends, with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Work Environment

One year of prior management/leadership experience required.

Work location is in an office environment. Work is sedentary and may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meeting and conferences away from the work site and carrying light items, such as laptops, papers, books, small parts, and driving an automobile.

Other Significant Factors

The Metropolitan Police Department is a 24-hour, 7 days a week operation. Your position is “emergency” and subject to rotating shifts, to include weekends and holidays.

This Position Is Deemed As “Security Sensitive” Pursuant To Chapter 4 Of The D.C. Personnel Regulations, In Addition To The General Suitability Screening And Criminal Background Check (pre-employment And Periodic), Individuals May Be Subject To The Following Checks And Tests

• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable);
• Consumer credit check (as applicable);
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
• Random drug and alcohol test;
• Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

This position requires a high level of trust and may involve access to sensitive information. A background investigation including criminal history, traffic and credit checks is required for all positions within the Metropolitan Police Department.

Management Supervisory Service (MSS) Statement

This position is “At Will”. At will employment applies to the Management Supervisory Service (MSS). All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

Residency Requirement Statement

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.