Summary

As the Deputy Press Secretary, you will play a key role on the Mayor’s communications team, supporting the Press Secretary to shape and execute the administration’s external media strategy. You will serve as a point of contact for the media, develop and deliver timely messaging, and help drive high-impact, equitable outcomes across the City and County of Denver through effective storytelling and information sharing.

Description

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

Application Deadline and Required Materials

This position is expected to stay open until 11:59PM on Sunday, March 15. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 PM.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application materials.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers competitive pay commensurate with education and experience. The hiring range for this position is $100,000/year – $120,000/year, based on experience. The Deputy Press Secretary position will be a Mayoral appointee.

We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include, but are not limited to:

A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
457B Retirement Plan
140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Location & Schedule

The Deputy Press Secretary position will be a Mayoral appointee, and all City and County of Denver appointee positions are in-person roles. We believe we can listen better, learn more and act faster when we are able to build strong relationships in the same physical space. While often flexible, our office is not remote.

In this position, you can expect to work on-site, primarily at the Denver City and County Building (1437 Bannock Street) in downtown Denver. This position will also regularly attend meetings and special events across Denver and the metro area, as needed.

About Us

The Mayor’s Office of the City and County of Denver is dedicated to serving the residents, businesses, and visitors of our vibrant city. Under the leadership of Mayor Mike Johnston, the office works to implement policies, programs, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all Denverites. Through collaboration with city agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders, the Mayor’s Office strives to create a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for Denver.

Learn more about the Mayor’s Office, featured projects, priorities, Denver’s Citywide Goals, and more on the Mayor’s Office webpage.

What You’ll Do

The Mayor’s Office with the City and County of Denver (CCD) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Deputy Press Secretary to support media engagement to ensure Mayoral initiatives are communicated clearly and accurately to the public.

This role will also support social media efforts and partner closely with the Manager of Digital Media. You will help develop and execute digital content and strategies that enhance public engagement, strengthen online presence, and ensure consistent messaging across all digital platforms. This role combines expertise in social media, content creation and media relations.

Additionally, as the Deputy Press Secretary, you will act on:

Media Relations: Build and maintain relationships with journalists, reporters, and media outlets. This involves fielding inquiries from the media, organizing press conferences and briefings, and coordinating interviews. Navigate the media landscape, pitch stories, and handle inquiries from reporters professionally and diplomatically.
Press Releases and Statements: Drafting, reviewing, and disseminating press releases and official statements to the media is another essential task. You are responsible for ensuring that accurate and timely information is provided to the public, and the media, on behalf of the Mayor’s Office.
Social Media and Design: Support the Mayor’s Office presence across all social media platforms by creating engaging, creative, and audience-focused content that connects residents with city initiatives. Develop visually compelling graphics, videos, and multimedia posts—including timely, fun, and informative content—that highlight mayoral priorities while aligning with the city’s brand standards. Monitor social channels for trends and community conversations, respond to inquiries, and ensure timely, accurate, and accessible information is shared. Collaborate with internal teams to translate complex policies and programs into clear, engaging digital stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
Crisis Management: Manage the flow of information during times of crisis or sensitive situations and represent the Mayor’s position alongside the press secretary and communications director. This involves crafting messaging, addressing public concerns and coordinating media responses.
Strategic Communication: Develop and implement strategic communication plans to promote the Mayor’s objectives. This includes identifying key messages, crafting narratives, and utilizing various communication channels to effectively reach target audiences.
Speechwriting and Media Training: Lead the development of speeches, talking points, and other strategic communications for the Mayor, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, and aligned with policy priorities and administration goals. Serve as a trusted advisor on public messaging and narrative development across a range of forums, including press conferences, media interviews, and major public engagements. Provide executive-level media training and communications coaching to prepare the Mayor and senior staff for high-visibility appearances, helping refine delivery, message discipline, and effective engagement with the press and public.

What You’ll Bring

We are committed to providing exceptional service to residents, strengthening community trust, and advancing outcomes that reflect Denver’s values and diverse needs. The ideal candidate is a creative and strategic communicator who can navigate complex issues, craft nuanced and resonant messaging, anticipate emerging challenges, and evaluate communications efforts to ensure continuous improvement. This role requires excellence under pressure, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to public service.

We are looking for candidates that demonstrate experience with the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Exceptional Communication Skills: You should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to craft clear and concise messages.
Media Relations Expertise: A strong understanding of local, statewide, and national media dynamics with a skill in building positive relationships with journalists and media outlets.
Social Media Expertise: A strong understanding of platform dynamics, audience behavior, and digital engagement strategies, with a track record of building strong online communities and elevating organizational reputation across channels.
Policy Knowledge: Understanding the Mayor's policies, initiatives, and agenda and to be able to translate complex policy concepts into easily understandable language for the media and the public, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with the Mayor's vision.
Critical Thinking: A successful Deputy Press Secretary must demonstrate strategic thinking skills and the ability to develop and execute comprehensive media strategies. They should be able to identify opportunities to enhance the Mayor's image, manage public perception, and proactively engage with the media to promote key messages.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Being a collaborative team player who can work effectively with various individuals, including team members across the city and external partners. With an ability to coordinate and integrate messaging across different platforms and channels.
Adaptability and Multitasking: Have a comfortable level with working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment while handling multiple priorities simultaneously, adapting quickly to changing circumstances, and effectively managing your time and resources.
Cultural Competency and Equity Awareness: Given Denver's diverse community, the candidate should possess cultural competency and awareness of equity issues. They should be able to develop communication strategies that resonate with diverse populations, promote inclusivity, and address equity considerations in messaging and engagement efforts.
Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications or a related field.
Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of full performance, professional level experience performing marketing and/or public relations functions including research and analysis, developing public announcements and publications, and developing marketing and/or public relations strategies.
Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
Licensure/Certification: None