Responsible for overseeing and coordinating the external and internal communications, visual design service, and cable access channel for the City of Olympia (City). Work involves directing the creation of the City’s narrative in alignment with City values and key initiatives, maintaining strong and positive media relationships, managing crisis communications when incidents arise, and assisting with setting the City’s strategic positioning on key issues. Serves on the City’s Executive Team; provides strategic consulting/advisory support to senior City leadership and City Council; and is an executive liaison to the City’s Advisory Committees.# # **ABOUT THE POSITION**The Strategic Communications Director oversees a wide range of communication services that, in alignment with the City’s mission and values, help shape public understanding, strengthen trust, and create meaningful and inclusive engagement between the City and the community.
The Director will work collaboratively across City departments, help set the City’s strategic communication on key issues, and provide consultation and guidance support to senior City leadership and City Council. This role is for a strategic communicator and storyteller, who is excited to innovate and enhance how residents experience local government and seek to advance equity and trust through inclusive, accessible, and culturally competent practices.# **SALARY**The annual salary range for this position is **$132,187 to $198,281**. The starting salary will be based on a combination of experience, education, skills, and abilities.# **TO APPLY**This is a continuous recruitment.
To be eligible for first review, submit your application, resume and cover letter by 11:59 p.m. February 27, 2026.# **CONTACT INFORMATION**If you have questions about the position and/or requirements; please contact Nicole Anderson via email at nanderso@ci.olympia.wa.us.# **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS****The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:**
1. Oversees proactive external communications strategies and press releases that create and support a positive image of the City in all communication contexts and across multiple media platforms and audiences.2. Oversees stakeholder and public engagement functions for alignment with and incorporation of City’s strategic positioning issues and narrative to ensure coordination between all public-facing communications.3. Oversees the management and programming of the City’s cable access channel.4. Looks for strategic opportunities to communicate the City’s vision and values and enhance the City’s overall brand in the community.5. Assists with shaping the City’s identity by curating stories that provide opportunities for the community, public, media, City employees, and public officials to learn about the City’s projects, programs, services, and operations, including progress in key initiatives.6. In coordination with the City Manager, develops and nurtures relationships with community partners, business and civic leaders, political leaders, and the media; acts as a visible presence in the Olympia community.7. Ensures equity in external communication so all audiences have access to accurate and complete information regardless of demographic; assists with breaking down barriers between residents and the City through more effective and consistent communication.8. Coordinates regularly with the communications manager to ensure alignment between external and internal communications about the City’s narrative regarding projects, programs, services, and operations, including progress and positioning in key initiatives.9. Acts as the primary contact for media inquiries about City activities and respond to media inquiries on a 24/7 on-call basis; occasionally works late hours and weekends.10. Conducts on-camera media interviews.11. Advises the City Manager, City Council, and other department leadership and employees on matters related to effective communication, marketing, and use of social media.12. Responds to emergency situations and manages communication needs.13. Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes.14. Selects, motivates and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures per established policies, procedures and executive guidance.15. Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.16. Advises on high-profile media issues and plays a strategic communications and public involvement role on emerging public policy issues.17. Develops and facilitates strategic approaches to emerging issues.18. Negotiates and administers the City's cable television contracts.19. Acts as community relations liaison.20. Provides communications support and guidance to the City Council.21. Represents the City Council at community meetings and various employee staff functions.22. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.# **TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS****Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:**1.
Advanced knowledge of principles and strategies associated with applied communication, public involvement, community engagement, media relations, social science and organizational psychology.
2.
Advanced knowledge of government systems, processes and procedures.
3.
Advanced knowledge of public opinion research techniques and various methods of application in governmental issues.
4.
Advanced knowledge of public communication plan development and the production of support materials.
5.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, methodologies and techniques utilized to effectively manage and motivate a diverse workforce.
6.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) and applicable department and organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required.
7.
Skill in the use of web-based content management systems (CMSs).
8.
Skill in the use of graphic design and video production programs.
9.
Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and elected officials on messaging, public perception and sentiment, and emerging issues.
10.
Ability to use effective storytelling to transform complex government information into clear, accessible, and compelling narratives that are authentic and relatable for a diversity of audiences.
11.
Ability to excel in communications and brand stewardship that drives clear, consistent messaging and strengthens the City’s identity
12.
Ability to leverage emerging tools, data, and platforms to meet residents where they are for purposes of informing and engaging.
13.
Ability to lead communications during emergencies, controversies, and fast-moving situations.
14.
Ability to establish good relations and work effectively with a variety of local and regional media outlets.
15.
Ability to elevate diverse voices through inclusive, culturally responsive and accessible communications and engagement.
16.
Ability to pilot new tools thoughtfully and within ethical and legal boundaries.
17.
Ability to use analytics, surveys, and community feedback to measure communication effectiveness, guide strategy, and report on progress and performance.
18.
Ability to develop clear priorities and workflows in a resource-constrained environment.
19.
Ability to organize, prioritize and manage many different projects and initiatives at once.
20.
Ability to write clearly and compellingly for diverse audiences, edit effectively, and confidently #J-18808-Ljbffr
The Director will work collaboratively across City departments, help set the City’s strategic communication on key issues, and provide consultation and guidance support to senior City leadership and City Council. This role is for a strategic communicator and storyteller, who is excited to innovate and enhance how residents experience local government and seek to advance equity and trust through inclusive, accessible, and culturally competent practices.# **SALARY**The annual salary range for this position is **$132,187 to $198,281**. The starting salary will be based on a combination of experience, education, skills, and abilities.# **TO APPLY**This is a continuous recruitment.
To be eligible for first review, submit your application, resume and cover letter by 11:59 p.m. February 27, 2026.# **CONTACT INFORMATION**If you have questions about the position and/or requirements; please contact Nicole Anderson via email at nanderso@ci.olympia.wa.us.# **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS****The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:**
1. Oversees proactive external communications strategies and press releases that create and support a positive image of the City in all communication contexts and across multiple media platforms and audiences.2. Oversees stakeholder and public engagement functions for alignment with and incorporation of City’s strategic positioning issues and narrative to ensure coordination between all public-facing communications.3. Oversees the management and programming of the City’s cable access channel.4. Looks for strategic opportunities to communicate the City’s vision and values and enhance the City’s overall brand in the community.5. Assists with shaping the City’s identity by curating stories that provide opportunities for the community, public, media, City employees, and public officials to learn about the City’s projects, programs, services, and operations, including progress in key initiatives.6. In coordination with the City Manager, develops and nurtures relationships with community partners, business and civic leaders, political leaders, and the media; acts as a visible presence in the Olympia community.7. Ensures equity in external communication so all audiences have access to accurate and complete information regardless of demographic; assists with breaking down barriers between residents and the City through more effective and consistent communication.8. Coordinates regularly with the communications manager to ensure alignment between external and internal communications about the City’s narrative regarding projects, programs, services, and operations, including progress and positioning in key initiatives.9. Acts as the primary contact for media inquiries about City activities and respond to media inquiries on a 24/7 on-call basis; occasionally works late hours and weekends.10. Conducts on-camera media interviews.11. Advises the City Manager, City Council, and other department leadership and employees on matters related to effective communication, marketing, and use of social media.12. Responds to emergency situations and manages communication needs.13. Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes.14. Selects, motivates and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures per established policies, procedures and executive guidance.15. Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.16. Advises on high-profile media issues and plays a strategic communications and public involvement role on emerging public policy issues.17. Develops and facilitates strategic approaches to emerging issues.18. Negotiates and administers the City's cable television contracts.19. Acts as community relations liaison.20. Provides communications support and guidance to the City Council.21. Represents the City Council at community meetings and various employee staff functions.22. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.# **TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS****Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:**1.
Advanced knowledge of principles and strategies associated with applied communication, public involvement, community engagement, media relations, social science and organizational psychology.
2.
Advanced knowledge of government systems, processes and procedures.
3.
Advanced knowledge of public opinion research techniques and various methods of application in governmental issues.
4.
Advanced knowledge of public communication plan development and the production of support materials.
5.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, methodologies and techniques utilized to effectively manage and motivate a diverse workforce.
6.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) and applicable department and organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required.
7.
Skill in the use of web-based content management systems (CMSs).
8.
Skill in the use of graphic design and video production programs.
9.
Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and elected officials on messaging, public perception and sentiment, and emerging issues.
10.
Ability to use effective storytelling to transform complex government information into clear, accessible, and compelling narratives that are authentic and relatable for a diversity of audiences.
11.
Ability to excel in communications and brand stewardship that drives clear, consistent messaging and strengthens the City’s identity
12.
Ability to leverage emerging tools, data, and platforms to meet residents where they are for purposes of informing and engaging.
13.
Ability to lead communications during emergencies, controversies, and fast-moving situations.
14.
Ability to establish good relations and work effectively with a variety of local and regional media outlets.
15.
Ability to elevate diverse voices through inclusive, culturally responsive and accessible communications and engagement.
16.
Ability to pilot new tools thoughtfully and within ethical and legal boundaries.
17.
Ability to use analytics, surveys, and community feedback to measure communication effectiveness, guide strategy, and report on progress and performance.
18.
Ability to develop clear priorities and workflows in a resource-constrained environment.
19.
Ability to organize, prioritize and manage many different projects and initiatives at once.
20.
Ability to write clearly and compellingly for diverse audiences, edit effectively, and confidently #J-18808-Ljbffr