City of Tampa

Communications Director (#900500) MJ

$57.59-$90.35 Hourly / $9,982.27-$15,660.67 Monthly / $119,787.20-$187,928.00 Yearly

Introduction

This is highly responsible professional and managerial work involving public relations, media relations, communication strategy, community relations, marketing, promotional activities, special projects, social media and event coordination in support of the mission of the Mayor’s Office and the City of Tampa. As outlined in the City Charter, the incumbent must reside within the City of Tampa or be willing to relocate.

Nature Of Work

The Communications Director is an integral part of the senior leadership team. The employee’s leadership and vision are key components to ensuring an engaged and informed community through strategic, consistent and frequent communication. Under administrative direction, the employee in this class is responsible for performing work of considerable difficulty in strategizing all public relations, media relations and community relations efforts of the City of Tampa. The employee: works as senior staff and policy advisor to the Mayor and other city department directors as needed; guides the Mayor and the Chief of Staff in the development of long range communication goals and objectives as well as the development of communication policies and procedures; and, serves as chief liaison to all local and national media outlets. The position requires the exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment as well as the ability to develop effective, positive relationships with area organizations in both the public and private sectors throughout the Tampa Bay region. Additionally, the position requires a complete and thorough understanding of public relations’ ethics, principles and practices. It requires proven experience in successful public relations efforts as well as the ability to translate those specialized communication skills into the highest quality work, reflective of the high standards of the Mayor. Work is reviewed by conferences and results obtained. Appointed position; employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.

Examples of Duties

Plan, develops, organizes, supervises and reviews the work of managerial, professional and technical staff engaged in engaged in marketing and communications programs for the City on a local, state, and national Level.
Provides leadership and guidance to city departments in all communications for public distribution; ensures consistent and clear messaging of the Mayor’s initiatives.
Plans, coordinates and participates in television and radio appearances to promote municipal plans and activities, and secures public service announcements from media sources.
Develops and implements short-range and long-range advertising and promotional plans; performs marketing and communications functions pertaining to the city’s initiatives, operations and strategic goals including but not limited to planning, organizing, developing, and executing comprehensive public relations programs to communicate the goals, objectives, initiatives, programs, and accomplishments of the City of Tampa and its departments. Coordinates responses to media inquiries on behalf of the Mayor and executive staff, including radio, tv and print reporters and editorial writing; coordinates the communication of the Mayor and City initiatives.
Provides guidance to the Mayor and Chief of Staff and strategizes all communication efforts; disseminates information such as news releases, photo opportunities, official statements, and other documents to media professionals; serves as the chief liaison to the media providing informational material as needed.
May draft and edit speeches on specified subjects for the Mayor, Chief of Staff, agency administrators, and other City officials.
Oversees the development of all marketing materials and collateral publications and serves as a chief advisor to the Technology and Innovation Department as it relates to website content and design.
Organizes, plans and executes news conferences and special events.
Oversees the distribution of publications from the City of Tampa; directs the efforts of CTTV and Design and Publications staff; establishes and maintains all external communication efforts and procedures in order to promote Tampa to the public; prepares print publication articles for the Mayor.
Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Extensive knowledge of: public relations, communications, and public information techniques; effective public relations and public information dissemination principles and tactics; area media outlets; the city organizational structure and the strategic initiatives; and management principles.
Considerable knowledge of: businesses, community organizations, other local governments and their efforts; graphic arts, photography, printing, and publications procedures. 
Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, city officials, elected officials, representatives of area media outlets, representatives of community organizations and businesses, and others; develop and maintain newsletters, press releases, articles, guest editorials and other written documents. 
Skill in: writing and proofreading.

Licenses or Certifications

Possession of a valid Florida driver's license required.

Comments

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.
CLASS: 900500;