Communications Director

The King County Department of Local Services (DLS) is seeking a Communications Director to lead the development and execution of strategic communication efforts for the department ensuring clear accurate and timely information is shared with residents stakeholders media and internal staff. This role oversees public information activities including media relations crisis communication digital content and brand management. The Communications Director provides guidance to leadership on communication strategy supports transparency initiatives and ensures messaging aligns with departmental goals and broader organizational priorities. The position manages three communication professionals coordinates cross-departmental messaging and uses data-driven insights to improve outreach and public understanding of department programs services and policies.

As the department Communications Director you will meet the challenges of managing high profile communications by inspiring and capturing creative ideas translating governmental jargon into easy-to-understand terms for the public and continually improving resident communication and enhancing community engagement. The person in this position must also be capable of working collaboratively and maneuvering through complex situations effectively relating well to customers at all levels both internal and external to the organization and delivering key communications products while balancing competing priorities.

This position reports to the Chief of Staff.

About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Directors Office Road Services and Permitting divisions as well as long-range planning code writing subarea planning and comprehensive planning teams. Together this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas of King County.

Our Commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate embrace and celebrate the distinct experiences viewpoints and perspectives of our people partners and the communities we serve. Through this work we dismantle systemic barriers address inequities and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing and were main steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Applying equity racial and social justiceprinciples is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values behaviors and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Strategic Communication Strategy & Planning:Develop implement and evaluate comprehensive communication plans and strategies to effectively convey the departments services programs and community engagement initiatives for internal and external audiences. Establish communications procedures protocols and metrics in collaboration with subject matter experts. Coordinate messaging across divisions to maintain consistency accuracy and alignment with broader county initiatives.
• Advising:Identify and monitor high-profile issues provide briefings and recommended communication approaches and actions to the Department Director Deputy and department leadership. Collaborate with department leadership to ensure clear and consistent communications to employees partners customers and residents.
• Team Management:Manage and mentor theLocal Services communications teamensuringeffective workflow quality standards and professional development resulting in quality deliverables and services. Manage competing priorities and navigate complex organizational environments to deliver quality communication products under tight deadlines.
• Content Creation:Write design and produce or supervise the creation of key documents such as speeches op-eds reports commentaries talking points fact sheets news releases and briefing materials for executive leadership and department spokespersons. Oversee the creation and review of public presentations and marketing materials including brochures flyers and annual reports. Ensure content is clear accessible and translates complex or technical information into understandable messages for residents and stakeholders.
• Public Information & Reporting:Manage public-facing communications and media relations. Oversee responses to inquiries from the general public and other stakeholders. Use analytics feedback and other data-driven insights to refine communication tactics and improve public understanding of programs and services.
• Internal Communications:Facilitate internal communication efforts including staff alerts newsletters events (e.g. all-hands and leadership meetings) and staff engagement activities such as lunch-and-learns and surveys.
• External Communications: Foster strong relationships with community partners media representatives and internal staff to enhance engagement and information sharing. Serve as liaison with King County Executives Office communications team.
• Digital & Media Management:Manage updates for the departments website intranet and SharePoint sites. Disseminate information through various social media channels including websites. Oversee media relations and serve department spokesperson and liaison to news media as needed.
• Graphic Design Oversight:Ensure the departments graphic design needs are met including brochures reports planning documents and signage.
• Event Management:Organize and manage media events including community events ensuring successful execution and engagement.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other related duties as assigned by departmentleadership.

Values (ACTIVATE)

• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Timely
• Impactful
• Value Employees
• Accessible
• Trusted
• Equitable

• Previous Communications Experience & Education:

Five years experience in a strategic communications role within a government agency public relations firm news or non-profit organization.

Bachelors degree in communications Journalism Marketing or related field or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.

Experience with communications principles tools and strategies.

Experience working with print and broadcast news media.

• Strategic Skills:

Experience advising senior leaders on communication strategy high-profile issues and public information approaches.

Experience developing and executing strategic communications marketing and branding strategies.

Ability to use analytics and performance metrics to evaluate communication effectiveness and inform strategy.

Work collaboratively to leverage and execute priority work programs and projects.

Skill in thinking strategically.

Ability to research and analyze.

• Communication Expertise:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills including:

• • • Writing compelling narratives in a conversational tone.
    • Translating complex issues for diverse audiences.
    • Public speaking and presentation skills.

Experience in executive briefings news releases social media content and speechwriting.

Experience with tools used in digital media and graphic design.

• Interpersonal & Leadership Skills:

Strong relationship-building abilities with diverse stakeholders.

Proven leadership fostering innovation and strategic risk-taking for a team.

Skills in conflict resolution decision-making problem-solving collaborating and negotiating.

• Organizational Skills:

Ability to manage multiple competing priorities while maintaining focus on key objectives and meeting strict deadlines.

Experience creating systems and processes.

• Community Engagement:
  • Skilled in connecting with rural and urban communities including those with diversepopulations.

A Washington State Drivers license is required for this position.

Desired Qualifications:

• 8years in strategic communications role within a government agency public relations firm news or non-profit organization.
• Knowledge of and experience with local government operations and political processes.
• Understanding of relevant laws regulations policies and procedures in the field of communications.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying federal state and local laws regulations programs andguidelines.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 45-minute in-person interviews in the week of 08/31/2026.If you are selected to move forward after the first phone interview you will be invited for a 30 minute in-person interview in the week of 09/07/2026.

WHO MAY APPLY:
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service term-limited temporary short-term temporary and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

Special duty opportunities are open only to current King County career service employees who have completed the initial probation. Special duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement King County Personnel Guidelines or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.

Applications will be screened for clarity completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials.

For interviewing tips please see the STAR-LA method:

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS:

This position has been designated as Non-Mission Critical -Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed suspended or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

UNION MEMBERSHIP:

This position is non-represented.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENTS:

This is a hybrid position. We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness arrive prepared and on time and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

Employees must reside in WashingtonStateand within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.

For more information regarding this recruitment please contact:

Sonali Naidu/