Program Manager - Communications & Engagement

City of Missoula; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 73,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Missoula is seeking a strategic, collaborative communications leader to serve as Program Manager – Communications & Engagement for the CPDI department. Lead and motivate a team, translate complex planning issues into clear narratives, and advance equitable community engagement across housing, development, and long-range planning initiatives.

You will advise CPDI leadership, coordinate with central communications, and represent CPDI in community forums.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years in community engagement, public information, communications, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of department-wide communications and engagement strategy.
• Supervise staff, assign work, conduct evaluations, and participate in hiring decisions.
• Guide strategic communications for major initiatives, housing projects, and planning efforts.
• Advise CPDI leadership and project teams on messaging and stakeholder understanding.
• Act as CPDI’s media liaison for press inquiries and interviews.
• Oversee public-facing materials, engagement plans, digital communications, and storytelling tools.
• Coordinate with City central communications team for consistent branding and crisis responses.
• Represent CPDI in community forums and public meetings to foster engagement.
• Develop equity-centered engagement strategies to reach diverse communities.
• Maintain tools, templates, and guidelines for consistent engagement across the department.
• Build relationships with community partners and underrepresented groups to strengthen trust.
• Oversee budgets, grants, and contracted services for communications.
• Evaluate methods using metrics to identify gaps and opportunities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership/ supervision

Public speaking

Community engagement

Project management

Equity-focused engagement

Cross‑department collaboration

Tools

Microsoft 365

GIS-based tools

Engagement platforms

Graphic/data visualization software

Job description

Help shape how Missoula plans, grows, and connects with its community.

The City of Missoula is seeking a strategic, collaborative communications leader to serve as Program Manager – Communications & Engagement for the Community Planning, Development & Innovation (CPDI) department. This is an opportunity to lead communications and engagement at the heart of some of the community’s most important work—from housing and development to long-range planning and neighborhood investment. You’ll help translate complex issues into clear, meaningful stories, build trust through authentic two-way engagement, and ensure community members can understand and participate in decisions that shape Missoula’s future.

As a key advisor to CPDI leadership and project teams, you’ll bring vision, creativity, and sound communications judgment to major initiatives while leading a talented team of communications and engagement professionals. You’ll have the opportunity to build innovative engagement strategies, strengthen relationships with community partners and diverse audiences, work with media and City leadership, and advance equitable approaches that make participation more accessible. If you’re a thoughtful communicator and people-centered leader who thrives at the intersection of public service, community engagement, and complex community issues, we invite you to bring your experience and ideas to this important role.

Starting Pay: This is a salaried (Exempt) position. The starting salary for this position is $72,696 to $82,618 annually ($34.95 to $39.72 per hour), depending on qualifications and experience. This position has a full salary range of $72,696 to $87,568 annually ($34.95 to $42.10 per hour), reflecting potential wage growth over time through annual longevity increases and cost-of-living adjustments.

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of department-wide communications and engagement strategy that aligns with City of Missoula’s communications direction and best practices.
• Supervise department communications and engagement staff, including specific program staff who perform engagement as a primary function; assign and review work; conduct performance evaluations and trainings; participate in hiring, discipline, and termination decisions; provide support by correcting deficiencies and building strengths to ensure effective working relationships.
• Guide strategic communications planning for major departmental initiatives, policy development, and complex planning, development, and housing projects, ensuring communications clearly articulate the CPDI story and connects our work to the City’s long-term goals and community vision.
• Provide communications and engagement advisement to CPDI leadership, project managers, and cross-department teams to support clear messaging, stakeholder understanding, and informed decision-making.
• Act as CPDI’s lead media liaison, ensuring timely, accurate coordination of press inquiries and delegating interviews and responses to subject‑matter experts.
• Oversee the development of public‑facing materials, engagement plans, digital communications, storytelling tools, and data visualization products that enhance public transparency and understanding.
• Coordinate closely with the City’s central communications team to ensure consistent messaging, branding, public information processes, and crisis communication protocols.
• Represent CPDI in community forums, advisory groups, and public meetings to share information and facilitate meaningful engagement.
• Support proactive, equity‑centered engagement strategies that reach diverse community members and reduce barriers to participation.
• Develop and maintain tools, templates, and guidelines for consistent and high‑quality engagement across the department.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, advisory groups, neighborhood organizations, and underrepresented communities to strengthen trust and two‑way communication.
• Provide financial oversight for communications and engagement program budgets, grants, and contracted services.
• Analyze and evaluate communications and engagement methods, identifying gaps, performance metrics, and opportunities for improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.

• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, public administration principles and practices, including program planning, budget development, staff supervision, and strategic communications management.
• Skill in developing and implementing communications and engagement strategies across multiple platforms and audiences.
• Skill in operating office equipment, various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn job‑specific applications and equipment, such as GIS based communication tools, engagement platforms, and graphic or data visualization software.
• Skill in public speaking and presentations, with the ability to share complex information clearly and support productive dialogue in a variety of settings.
• Skill in policy and program communication, including translating technical material into accessible public information.
• Skill in managing multiple projects with shifting priorities and timeline demands.
• Skill in organization, time management, and prioritizing with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
• Skill in communicating, in person and in writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of best practices in civic engagement, public information, digital communications, community development, and urban planning communication.
• Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
• Ability to resolve conflicts with facilitating outcomes while maintaining a calm demeanor.
• Ability to learn City and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to seven (7) years of community engagement, public information, communications, public administration, or another relevant field.
• Must have supervisory experience.
• Experience with municipal communications, public engagement processes, or data visualization preferred.

The City of Missoula does not sponsor employment visas (e.g., F-1, H-1B, TM). Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the time of application.