Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate citywide strategic communications, ensuring proactive and consistent messaging, branding, and communication standards across all departments.
• Utilize audience research, segmentation, and performance data to develop targeted marketing campaigns and public relations strategies that expand reach, improve engagement, and strengthen relationships with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Advise City leadership and all departments on communication policies, strategies, and inclusive and accessible messaging to meet the diverse needs of the community.
• Serve as the primary media liaison and spokesperson, managing and coordinating media inquiries, interviews, press releases, and public statements.
• Supervise and provide direction to the Communications team, including work planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Manage all physical and digital communications, including the City website, social media platforms, newsletters, photos, and other public information channels.
• Monitor media coverage, community sentiment, and emerging issues to proactively manage the City’s reputation and communication response.
• Collaborate with the community connections team to advise departments on public engagement approaches, support language access plans, and community sentiment surveys that equitably inform and engage the community.
• Develop and manage annual communications division budget ensuring effective allocation of resources.
• Collaborate with the IT division to manage AV/broadcasting services for cable television and enhance accessibility of public meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience with public communications, media relations, public affairs, or strategic communication.
• Two years of full-time, direct supervisory experience.
• Experience creating targeted communications through audience segmentation and other strategic data-driven marketing campaigns.
• Experience developing and managing principles of branding and marketing in communications.
• Ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Experience evaluating the effectiveness of communication strategies.
• Experience proactively writing and editing high-quality informational materials, including press releases, news stories, and social media posts.
• Ability to complete the essential duties and responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in communications, public administration, or related field.
• Two years of experience working in Minnesota municipal government, including operating communications, public relations, or media relations.
• Five years of experience working with digital communications tools, including website management tools, social media platforms, and content management systems.
• Experience with leading or supporting community engagement strategies and public outreach initiatives using the IAP-2 framework.
• Five years of direct supervisory experience.
• Experience ensuring compliance with language access plans and federal and state accessibility laws.
• Experience working with Minnesota local media stations

Benefits

• City contribution toward insurance benefits and 100% holiday pay and paid leave accruals.