Senior Communication Manager

Summary

Description

 Do you have the passion of a civic leader and a desire make a positive difference in a community through your well-honed communication and civic engagement skills? The ideal candidate for Douglas County’s new Senior Communication Manager not only has the working knowledge of a seasoned communication professional, is a performance-driven, strategic thinker, and a collaborative team player, they are also able to do so through the lens of civic leadership.

The person in this position grasps the organization’s overall goals and sees beyond the day-to-day deliverables as to how the day-to-day applies and contributes to those intended goals. The person in this senior-level position is prepared to immediately apply their strategic planning and communication project management knowledge and skills for goals-driven, measurable civic engagement strategies and tactics – working with the team in the Communication and Public Affairs Department. Show us the good stuff you’ve learned along your career path.

Primary job responsibilities include collaborative development and implementation of communication and civic engagement campaigns on various topics for County Department and Elected Office services, programs, and projects, as well as the ability to be responsive to issues and crisis management – working within a team environment. If you: are an accomplished and effective storyteller and can adjust your writing style and compose appropriate content for the intended audience aligned with the appropriate communication channel and intended messages; know how to contribute positively to a department culture of mutual respect, resilience, collaboration, teamwork, and high standards of performance excellence; have the maturity, confidence and resilience that comes with exposure to an agency environment (fast-paced, collaborative, with definitive deadlines), working with executive-level personnel and elected officials.

Please consider this opportunity to grow your career, do great work AND make a difference in an organization and for Douglas County communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.)
Through the lens of strategic communication planning and measurable outcomes, the person in this position, while working with others under limited supervision will leverage their experience, knowledge, and skills to:

• Contribute to long range planning as well as day-to-day department deliverables. Adhere to project management for the department including measures for managing campaign expectations, developing strategic planning documents consistent with the department and the profession’s best practices.
• Develop communication and civic engagement plans in partnership with and in response to Office and Department needs.
• Write or edit various types of content, consistent with strategic plans, intended for external communication – and know the difference in tone and content for each – such as news releases, social media content, website copy, and for other applications such as well.
• Collaborate with the department team to contribute to accurate and timely distribution of content aligned with predetermined messages, and paired visuals aligned with communication objectives.
• Work with staff to collect, analyze, and maintain data to evaluate the effectiveness of engagement initiatives to inform future communication strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: This position will report to the Assistant Director of Communication and will also work closely with the Director of Communication and Public Affairs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility for others.  

INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT:  Makes day-to-day decisions based on County’s documented communication practices, profession best practices and strategic communication and civic engagement plans. Must think and act strategically to implement a variety of communication programs. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, or similar field of study.
• A minimum of eight years of progressive experience as a public relations, public affairs, or external communication professional.
• MUST have command of current best practices in the communication and public relations profession.
• PR agency or local government experience preferred.
• Those with Public Relations Society of America Accreditation (APR) or in the process of APR accreditation are favored. 
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge: 

• Progressive achievements within, current best practices and a working knowledge of the public relations profession and process including research, planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative market research methods
• Knowledge of various platforms and their strengths and weaknesses for communicating key messages to target audiences
• Working knowledge of key community engagement practices
• Expert command of the English language and AP Style
• Knowledge of Colorado County government is desired

Skills: 

• Experience developing, launching, and managing campaigns. Campaign manager skills including application of research findings, strategic planning, data analysis, teamwork, communication plan implementation, and strategic problem-solving.
• Highly skilled writer – with proven effectiveness in reader-first writing, including skill to use written language accurately, concisely, and creatively; command of correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; and skills in editing and proofing copy, applying AP Style.
• Proficient, working knowledge of the strategic use of social media including Facebook, X, Instagram, and Nextdoor, for integration within a communication strategy.
• Strong time-management/self-management skills applied to prioritizing tasks, avoiding distractions, and ability to maintain focus.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control.
• Experience with email marketing tools.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in graphic design programs such as Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Canva, or comparable programs.

Abilities: 

• Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the County in a positive, cooperative, and results-oriented manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships to advance County programs and initiatives within Douglas County.
• Ability to maintain information confidentiality consistent with applicable federal, state, and county laws, rules, and regulations.
• Able to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority; and assess or understand both the short-term and long-term impact of decisions.
• Ability to work non-office hours as needed.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License upon hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment.
• This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check including fingerprinting through a national database.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Physical Work Environment: Work is generally performed indoors in an office setting. Occasionally will perform work offsite at various locations, which may include work in undeveloped locations (fields, prairies, etc.). Work involves multiple competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Regular and predictable in person attendance is required until fully onboarded, after which some remote work is allowed.
Physical Demands:  This position requires sitting, standing, walking; ability to read at close range and to use hands/fingers. Must be able to talk and hear effectively. Must be able to travel in the local area to various locations to execute duties. 
Material and Equipment Directly Used: Computer, cell phone, iPad or similar device, audio/visual equipment, camera, and typical office equipment. May operate a county vehicle.