Communications Manager

About the role

The Communications Manager will work collaboratively with the City Manager, Department Heads and other management staff to develop and implement communication strategies, community engagement plans, and facilitate outreach opportunities. This position is also responsible for producing and publishing various forms of City communications work (i.e., website, newsletters, press releases, social media content) and works closely with traditional media partners.

Responsibilities

• Manages communications and public relations across the City of Alameda organization, including developing original content for press releases, the City’s websites, newsletters, and social media and other written, audio, and visual collateral.
• Collaborates with department heads, public officials including City Councilmembers, businesses, consultants, and residents; makes presentations on assigned projects and programs.
• Plans and directs major communications and public relations functions, programs and activities including leading crisis response as Public Information Officer within the City's emergency management structure, writing press releases, and communicating with media contacts.
• Develops and implements communications programs, systems, procedures, and operating methods; develops and revises policies and procedures.
• Establish citywide communications standards, style guidelines, and brand consistency across departments, platforms, and public-facing materials; plans and directs communications programs and services; recommend and implement improved methods and procedures.
• Conducts research and analytical studies on a variety of public policy and legislative issues; coordinates and expedites reports and program information from City departments; develops procedures, formulates recommendations and prepares reports and correspondence.
• Collaborates with other agencies and private parties; manage consultants, agencies, and vendor contracts related to communications services.
• Aids in determining communication priorities, methods, standards, and work sequences necessary to achieve objectives.
• Supports committees or commissions or individuals as assigned.
• Assists in budget preparation and administration.
• Administers processes and protocols of assigned department.
• Might supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.

Requirements

Four day, 36 hour work week (Monday - Thursday)

CalPERS Retirement: Classic Members: 2% at 55 formula, 8.868% contribution; New Members 2% @ 62 formula, 8.75% contribution.

Medical: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide comprehensive health coverage to employees. Multiple HMO and PPO plans available.

Dental: Comprehensive dental coverage provided to employees and their eligible dependents.

Vacation: Starting with 75 hours annually and increasing with years of service.

Management Incentive Leave: 27 hours of management leave per fiscal year.

Holidays: 11 City Holidays.

Floating Holidays: 4 floating days.

Sick Leave: 90 hours annually; unused sick leave is converted to service credit at retirement.

Deferred Compensation: Up to 1% 457(b) matching City contribution after 1 year of continuous service.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in public or business administration or a related field, such as communications.
• Five years of experience conducting administrative analysis, developing policies and procedures, and managing administrative programs and services, two years of which shall have been in the area of strategic communications, public information, public affairs, or marketing.
• At least five years of experience in the area of strategic communications, public information, public affairs, or marketing is highly desirable.