Director of Public Communication

Broward County, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Pay: $144,904-$231,267/yr

Job type: Full Time

REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a Director of Public Communications!

The Community

Bordering Southeast Florida's Atlantic coastline, Broward County is the seventeenth most populous county in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. Home to over 2 million people, Broward County is located between Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, forming the center of South Florida's largest metropolitan area in which 6.1 million people reside. Within the County's approximate 1,300 square miles are 31 municipalities, the largest of which is Fort Lauderdale. About two-thirds of Broward County is part of the undeveloped Everglades conservation area. Broward County boasts 23 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, and its beaches attract both the local population as well as tourists from around the world. With an average year-round temperature of 76 degrees, Broward County has a tropical climate and is a choice destination for over 19 million visitors every year.

Broward County's warm climate, demographic diversity, robust and expanding economy, top-rated schools, colleges and universities, cutting-edge healthcare, and an advanced transportation system afford its residents an exceptional quality of life. Broward County offers world-class dining, high-quality theater, cosmopolitan nightlife, and premium shopping venues, as well as an abundance of recreational activities such as golf, pickleball, soccer, deep-sea fishing, boating and vast opportunities for fun on the beach.

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is in Broward County and is less than two miles from Port Everglades where many major cruise lines call their homeport. Among Broward County's abundant retail shopping options is Sawgrass Mills, the largest one-story value retail shopping mall in the United States. For the sports enthusiast, Broward County is home to the National Hockey League's 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, while the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat, the Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins, andthe National Football League's Miami Dolphins are just a short drive, quick bus or train ride away.

The County Government

The Broward County government was established under Charter in 1975 as a home-rule government. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, elected every two years for four-year staggered terms. Commissioners are voted to the position by their district constituents through partisan elections. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are Commission members annually elected by the Commission for one-year terms. The Commission appoints the County Administrator, the County Attorney, and the County Auditor.

The County Administrator serves as the Chief Executive Officer and manages the County's six major operating departments: Transportation, Aviation, Finance and Administrative Services, Human Services, Port Everglades, and Public Works and Environmental Services, which all together comprise over 70 lines of business. In addition to the Office of Public Communication, the County has seven functional offices: Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Affairs, Management & Budget, Medical Examiners & Trauma Services, Mobility Advancement Program, and Regional Communications & Technology. The County has nearly 6700 employees and eight collective bargaining units. The County budget for FY26 is $8.75 billion of which $5.45 billion is Operating, $2.55 billion is Capital and $0.76 billion is Debt Service. The budget reflects strategic investments in transit, the seaport and airport, and many other critical services to residents.

The Office

The Office of Public Communications serves as the central hub for all external and internal communications across Broward County Government. The office is responsible for promoting transparency in government and enhancing the County's public presence through strategic communications, media relations, marketing and community outreach. The Office oversees Public Information, the County's Call Center, and Print Shop operations, and plays a critical role in supporting enterprise-wide communications programs that keep residents informed and engaged. From crafting high-level messaging for County leadership and elected officials to directing large-scale change management communications, the Office of Public Communications ensures that Broward County's programs, services, and initiatives reach the diverse communities it serves.

The Office also administers the enterprise-wide Advantage Marketing Program, which supports marketing strategies that generate new revenue, enhance services, offset program costs, and expand educational outreach through public and private sector partnerships.

The Opportunity

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a visionary and strategic communications leader to serve as the next Director of Public Communication. Reporting directly to the County Administrator, this executive-level position directs all operations of the Office of Public Communications and serves as the County's chief spokesperson and communications strategist.

An exceptional candidate will be drawn to this role because it offers the opportunity to shape and elevate public communication for one of South Florida's most vibrant counties. Broward County is proudly community-focused and employee-centered, providing a supportive environment where leaders can innovate, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact. This role offers both strategic influence and the chance to serve a community that values transparency, engagement, and public trust.

Duties and Responsibilities

Directs operations of the Office of Public Communications, including Public Information, Call Center, and Print Shop; formulates strategies and directs implementation of activities to promote transparency in government and enhance the County's digital government presence.

Directs large-scale, enterprise-wide communications programs related to change management in support of other agency initiatives; strategizes and directs implementation of initiatives to raise public awareness of government programs and services.

Develops and directs implementation of the County's strategic communications plans; strategizes and writes high-level and sensitive communications for the County management team and elected officials for all platforms, television, print, social media, etc.

Provides quality assurance of the marketing and communications activities of other County agencies; oversees the employee communications program; handles media relations for the County.

Manages the Advantage Marketing Program, leveraging public and private partnerships to expand educational outreach, reduce program costs, and develop new revenue streams.

Identifiesfiscalandcapitalimprovementneedsanddirectsactivitiestofundandimplement them.

Performs related work as assigned.

In summary, the functions listed represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

The Ideal Candidate

Possess a strong strategic mindset with the ability to see ahead to future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough communications strategies;

Have demonstrated experience directing enterprise-wide communications programs across complex, multi-stakeholder organizations;

Have exceptional skills in crafting high-level, sensitive communications for executive leadership and elected officials;

Possess deep expertise in media relations,public information,and crisis communications;

Have a proven ability to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders while promoting an environment of high ethical standards and cross-cultural sensitivity;

Demonstrate resourcefulness in deploying resources effectively and finding creative approaches to accomplish goals within constrained environments;

Possess strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff across multiple functional areas including public information, call center operations, and print services;

Have experience with digital communications, social media strategy, and website management to support effective public engagement;

Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills with a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences;

Have the ability to develop,implement,and manage strategic, fiscal, and capital improvement plans.

Education, Experience, and Certifications

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, or closely related field.

Requires 10 years in high-level journalism, communications, marketing, and public relations activities, including in strategic and supervisory aspects of these activities or closely related experience.

Experience with social media and website management preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $144,904.22 to $231,266.72. The starting salary will be based upon the qualifications and experience of the individual selected. The State of Florida does not have a state income tax.

The County's benefits include:

Florida Retirement System (FRS) - Employees have the choice of two retirement plans: the traditional pension plan with eight years of vesting or the investment plan with one year of vesting. This position is eligible for Senior FRS status.

Deferred Compensation - The County offers a voluntary 457 plan offered through three providers: Mission Square, Brighthouse Financial, and Nationwide Retirement Solutions. County matches up to a Board approved amount per year.

Flexible Spending Accounts-Eligible health expenses and dependent care accounts.

Insurance Coverage - The County offers a variety of benefit plans that employees can purchase including Health, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Long Term Disability, and Pre-paid Legal. The County subsidizes enrollment in Healthcare coverage and provides a waiver credit if applicable.

Health Savings Accounts - When you elect either of the High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and you and your enrolled spouse/domestic partner (if applicable) complete the County's Engagement Incentive, Broward County will contribute to your Health Savings Account.

Vacation and Sick Leave - Leave is accrued biweekly for vacation and sick time; annualized at two weeks of vacation and 12 days of sick time; additionally, 40 hours of job basis leave is granted annually for employees exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Holidays-Eleven (11) holidays and two (2) personal days.

Life Insurance - The County offers $50,000 of group term life insurance. Employees can purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their dependents and spouse/domestic partner.

Additional Benefits - Access to Credit Union, Employee Development, and Personal Income Protection Plans are available.

For additional information on benefits, please visit: www.broward.org/benefits

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How to Apply

Please apply immediately at: https://apply.workable.com/keller-executive-search/j/0878F1E302

For questions and inquiries, please contact:

Mary Bruwer: marizaan.bruwer@kellerexecutivesearch.com

KELLER HALDREN GROUP LLC

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/keller-executive-search/

An Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer

AL LRESUMES ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

County Core Values

All Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County's four core behavioral competencies.

Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.

County-wide Emergency Responsibilities

Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities

All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.