Strategic Communications & Community Engagement Director

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County; Kentucky; On-site; USD 103,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County seeks a Director of Communications and Community Engagement to lead strategic initiatives across communications, public information, and community engagement.

The role partners with the Manager’s Office and departments to ensure timely, transparent, and accessible information for residents. It requires seven years of experience, five years in supervision, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field with seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public engagement, public information, media relations, public affairs, or a related field.
• Five years of supervisory experience required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, manages, and evaluates the operations, personnel, budget, programs, and initiatives of the Communications and Community Engagement Department to ensure effective service delivery and alignment with ACCGov's goals and priorities.
• Supervises, mentors, develops, and evaluates assigned staff; establishes work priorities; assigns and reviews work; provides coaching, counseling, and corrective action when necessary; conducts employee performance evaluations.
• Develops and administers the departmental budget; monitors expenditures; oversees contracts, consultants and other professional services; and ensures the responsible stewardship of departmental resources.
• Establishes department policies, procedures, performance expectations, and operational priorities.
• Serves as ACCGov’s senior advisor on communications and community engagement, providing strategic guidance to executive leadership regarding organizational messaging, public engagement, emerging issues, and complex communications challenges.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public engagement

Communications

Media relations

Public information

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR/Journalism

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County seeks a Director of Communications and Community Engagement to lead strategic initiatives across communications, public information, and community engagement.

The role partners with the Manager’s Office and departments to ensure timely, transparent, and accessible information for residents. It requires seven years of experience, five years in supervision, and a valid driver’s license.