Director of Communications
Director of Communications
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Job Description
Position Description
THE DEPARTMENT
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is responsible for strengthening Seattle by engaging all communities. Our purpose is to bring government closer to the residents of Seattle by engaging them in civic participation; empowering them to make positive contributions to their communities; and involving more of Seattles Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in civic discussion processes and opportunities.
THE JOB
The Director of Communications leads all communicationsrelated work for DON. This includes setting the tone creating the communications strategy and overseeing a wide variety of internal and external communications with a peoplecentered focus on equity accessibility and relatability for DON as well as influencing and informing citywide communications and related policies.
Specifically you will:
- Act as a spokesperson for the department and oversee all written oral and visual content for DONs digital platforms and social media 14 areas of service community outreach and engagement media communications and requests from the Mayors Office and other internal and external partners.
- Manage all communicationsrelated programming for the department including DONs community storytelling initiatives (involving 150 community members in the last 3 years).
- Serve on DONs Executive Team and act as key advisor to DONS Director providing technical expertise on all communications matters for the department and advising shaping and influencing policy program and budgeting decisions that impact the whole department.
- Lead a team comprised of two Senior Public Relations Specialists providing them with mentorship guidance and coaching by regularly monitoring performance managing expectations and engaging in clear and consistent communication.
Job Responsibilities
To thrive in this role you are committed to:
- Ensuring that all communication strategies and deliverables for DON are accessible relatable centered in community and driven by equity
- Cultivating and maintaining relationships with community members and DON staff that organically grow into storytelling opportunities or connections to DONs areas of service
- Providing guidance and advice to DON leadership staff elected officials and other City departments on all communications matters impacting DON
- Navigating political issues on behalf of DON and the City of Seattle as an influencer and advisor
To be successful in this job you have demonstrated your:
- Commitment to social justice equity and supporting the power of communities to forge their own solutions
- Communications project management advising planning and implementation skills directing and producing work for a variety of internal and external audiences while anticipating and creating content to meet future needs
- Branding and messaging skills on behalf of your organization/customers
- Organization and prioritization skills and ability to plan for and meet tight and changing deadlines in a fast pace environment
- Relationship building collaboration and engagement skills with colleagues city partners community members media and vendors
- Team management and development capabilities
To be effective in this job you:
- Are creative and invested in finding new ways to reach and empower community members to tell their own stories
- Inspire trust in team members city staff and community
- Are a leader focused on developing communication practices and policies that center the needs and lived experiences of communities with a history of harm including Black Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) LGBTQ people with disabilities immigrants and refugees
Qualifications
A successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to building and implementing communications using an equity lens that is culturally responsive. This experience should be complemented by demonstrated ability in most of the following areas:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to craft compelling messages and present them effectively to diverse audiences.
- Crosscultural communication and content development that allows you to understand and navigate diverse cultural backgrounds beliefs and communication styles to foster effective interactions and build relationships.
- Familiarity with language and accessibility best practices.
- Project management oversight delegation and communication
- Strong people management skills with the ability to lead coach and cultivate teams to achieve goals and outcomes.
- Experience in media relations including writing and distributing press releases and acting as a spokesperson for an organization.
- Working successfully within a large matrixed organization.
- Working in a diverse fastpaced political environment.
- Experience working with and supporting executive leadership.
Additional Information
This position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1 Customer Service Public Information and Promotion. The full pay range for this broadband position is $50.08 $75.12. For internal equity our target salary is $65 $68/hour.
This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management. Based on events and customer service needs work on weekends may be required.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation holiday and sick leave as well as medical dental vision life and longterm disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: be considered for this role please complete the online application fully and attach:
- A current resume
- A cover letter that explains your interest in this job and work you have done that is most aligned with this job and the Department of Neighborhoods
Here is a resource forApplication and Interviewing tipswith the City of Seattle.
Why work at the City
TheCity of Seattlerecognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior our personal commitments and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture we seek employees who will engage in theRace and Social Justice Initiativeby working to dismantle racist policies and procedures unlearn the way things have always been done and provide equitable processes and services.
This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race color creed national origin ancestry sex marital status disability religious or political affiliation age sexual orientation medical condition or pregnancy. The Office of Housing encourages people of all backgrounds to apply including people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ people with disabilities veterans and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations:
Individuals with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process perform essential job functions and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact for questions or to request accommodations.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
