Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the county’s Office of Communications
• Plans, implements, and directs departmental short- and long-term goals to align with countywide priorities
• Maintains extensive and positive relationships with local and national media
• Serves as primary media contact and spokesperson as needed
• Oversees press events
• Participates in strategic planning with the Board of Supervisors and County Manager
• Consults and advises on complex, sensitive issues from a communications and public relations perspective
• Oversees communications tactics to enhance and protect the county’s reputation in coordination with the Board of Supervisors and County Manager
• Writes or oversees production of high-level communications from board members and executive leadership
• Oversees internal communications to engage and inform thousands of staff members across more than 40 departments

• Oversees external communications to engage and inform Maricopa County’s 4.5 million residents
• Collaborates with department public information officers across the county
• Creates and updates countywide communication policies and best practices
• Regularly reviews state and federal laws, court cases, and legislation that may impact business operations and public sentiment
• Makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors and County management
• Oversees the preparation and management of the department’s budget
• Identifies opportunities for technological advancement to enhance communications
• Ensures superior customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility from all staff members

Requirements

• Ten years of professional communications or public relations experience, with five of those years in a management or leadership role
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, or a related field
• Postgraduate degrees or professional-level experience may substitute for the education or experience on a year-for-year basis

Preferred

• Experience working in the public sector, especially with or for an elected body
• Experience managing and leading a team of professionals
• Comfort speaking to members of the media, including for live or taped interviews
• Strong project management skills, including event planning
• Experience writing clear and accurate messages on tight deadlines

Benefits

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System with employer match