MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Business or other related field
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Communications (including crises communications, social media and digital content management, and public relations) at supervisory or higher level.
• Experience placing media stories and coordinating coverage with media at the local, state or national level
• Experience in hiring and onboarding of staff, managing schedules and leave time, conducting personnel reviews, and maintaining financial budgets of payroll and purchasing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft software.
• Proficiency in Adobe, Canva, Constant Contact and other creative software
• Proficiency in public speaking
• Strong social media acumen
• Functional photography skills
• Strong proofing skills
• Computer literacy
• Strong analytical skills

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Master’s degree in English, Communications, Business Marketing or related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience as a working journalist in print, radio or broadcast television media.
• Minimum 3 years supervision of at least 3 direct reports.
• Minimum 1 year experience managing Freedom of Information Requests.
• Spanish language proficiency highly desired.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Communications Director is department head of the Communications Department and, as such, performs and/or supervises complex professional, administrative, and technical communications functions necessary to maintain two way communications with the residents and constituents of the City of Pontiac. The Communications director oversees all media and digital message platforms for the City. This includes but is not limited to all social media accounts, cable television content, live streaming, newsletters, media notifications and releases, and other official literature to be disseminated. The Communications Director is also responsible for managing responses to incoming communications, requests for information and data, creating talking points and other related activities. As the brand manager for the city, the Communications Director is also the coordinator of logo usage and implementation. The Communications Director coordinates with the organizers of special events and provides supportive materials pertaining to city-sponsored activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a brand management strategy for the city of Pontiac.
• Write, design, produce with contracted printer(s) and coordinate mailing of a quarterly newsletter for the city of Pontiac.
• Develop a multi-channel communications plan for the City.
• Initiate, manage and conduct payment for subcontractor activity in pursuit of public relations and marketing objectives and programs.
• Oversight and approval of all communication on all digital platforms.
• Manage content and revisions of City website.
• Manage social media content for the City.
• Meets regularly with division and department managers to maintain the flow of information (public facing information and crises communications as needed). Facilitates urgent communications as needed.
• Oversee cable division operations to include supervising staff, managing purchasing and budgets, developing new content on a regular basis in support of the divisions and partner agencies.
• Serve as Spokesperson for the city of Pontiac and generate coverage with local, state and national media outlets.
• Coordinate promotions of city-sponsored events, town halls/public meetings and programs in which the city is significantly involved and collaborate with Events Coordinator to promote activities and events emanating from that individual’s role.
• Manage communications pertaining to and in support of community outreach.
• Serve as editor of City communications as needed. Write content and scripts as needed.
• Write State of the City address and coordinate accompanying presentation (photograph, data displays and video), design and printing of program guide and event planning and production in collaboration with other city divisions.
• Other duties as assigned.