Chief Communications Officer

Agency Summary – The City-County Council is the legislative branch of local government. In addition to adopting budgets, levying taxes, and authorizing financial appropriations to fund city and county operations, the Council enacts, repeals, and amends local laws, appoints members to community boards and commissions, and holds open public meetings.

About the role

The Chief Communications Officer serves as the senior communications advisor to the Indianapolis City-County Council and provides comprehensive internal and external communications support to Council leadership and individual Councilors. The position leads the development and execution of communications strategies that advance the Council’s legislative, fiscal, constituent-service, and organizational priorities. The Chief Communications Officer oversees Council and Councilor branding and messaging; provides strategic communications guidance to Council leadership; manages media relations and public engagement; and ensures timely, accurate, accessible, and nonpartisan dissemination of information. The position acts as the Council’s spokesperson when designated and establishes standards, protocols, and processes that maintain consistency with Council priorities and safeguard the Council’s reputation. This role supervises the Public Information Officer and works closely with Council leadership, Council staff, City-County agencies, media representatives, and community stakeholders to effectively communicate Council actions and support public understanding of Council initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to support Council-driven policies and strengthen understanding of Council initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategic communications plans aligned with Council priorities, the legislative calendar, major proposals, budget actions, public hearings, and organizational needs.
• Serve as the Council’s official media spokesperson when designated, coordinating interviews, responding to inquiries, and preparing Councilors for media engagement.
• Work closely with communications personnel across City departments and agencies to coordinate press conferences and ensure consistent, accurate, and aligned messaging in all public information efforts.
• Facilitate Council-related news conferences and events, and lead the drafting, writing, reviewing, and editing of all public communications, including briefing materials, news releases, statements, newsletters, speeches, presentations, articles, and digital content.
• Establish and enforce editorial, branding, accessibility, language-access, and quality-control standards across all Council communications.
• Supervise and evaluate the Public Information Officer and communications personnel; oversee day-to-day management of Council social media channels, content creation, strategy, and monitoring of constituent feedback.
• Manage and support Councilors’ public appearances and community engagement activities as needed.
• Lead Council emergency communications, including rapid-response protocols and high-profile issues management.
• Establish workflows for media inquiries, content approvals, emergency alerts, and Councilor communications requests to ensure timely and accurate information flow.
• Monitor media coverage, public sentiment, and emerging issues, and use analytics to assess digital engagement, media reach, and overall communications effectiveness.
• Maintain clear separation between official governmental communications and political or campaign-related activities.
• Manage Council website content in coordination with Council staff, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• In collaboration with appropriate staff, direct the creation of communications policies, procedures, sponsorship guidelines, and crisis-management protocols.
• Build and foster effective working relationships with media organizations, citizens, community groups, schools, public agencies, regional partners, and other entities essential to the Council’s mission.
• Respond to emergency situations, attend events, and participate in meetings outside traditional business hours as required.
• Act with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment at all times.
• Perform additional duties as assigned; responsibilities may expand based on organizational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public affairs, marketing, public administration, political science, telecommunications, or a closely related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, or a related field, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in written and oral communication, comprehensive knowledge of communications and marketing methodologies, and the ability to design and execute complex, enterprise-level communication strategies.
• Strong analytical judgment, familiarity with governmental operations, and the capacity to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, or a related field, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Working Conditions

• Essential functions are regularly performed in an office setting without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Sitting at a desk the majority of the day.
• Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds).
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation.
• Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals.
• Tasks require the ability to communicate orally.