Communications Manager

Job Summary

This is highly responsible, specialized public communications work involving research, documentation, crafting, and distributing written and oral communications, as well as management of the communications team, managing multiple requests from all departments and development of systems used to distribute information. The employee in this class directly manages a team of 6 and works within a team of 13 under the supervision of the Director of Communications, Marketing and Economic Development. The Communications Manager is responsible for coordinating, crafting, and implementing cost-effective, impactful and appropriate public relations, marketing and educational messaging and materials that promote Hollywood’s brand and message through the use of various communications media including broadcast, online, social, in-person, and print. Responsibilities include but are not limited to management of the City’s website content, social media accounts, Government Access Channel, LED billboards, physical print materials, media relations and other outreach channels, as well as oversight of content development and strategy development. Additional responsibilities include media relations, budget management, team development, emergency notifications, public education, and promotion of special events, programs and services that reinforce the City’s brand. The incumbent in this classification will be one of the Public Information Officers for the City and will serve as the main media spokesperson in the absence of the Director. This employee’s activities are supervised by the Director, Communications, Marketing and Economic Development for adherence to City policies, procedures and attainment of objectives.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Responsible for managing the Communication Division and team of 6 employees.

Conceptualizes, crafts, and implements brand-appropriate public information, educational, public relations, advertising and marketing messaging for the City.

Coordinates website goals and objectives and manages the team to ensure timely and accurate updates are posted. Steps up and steps into writing, copy editing and posting ensuring updated content is maintained and presented in an attractive, consistent, and ADA compliant manner on the City’s website.

Develops and maintains the City’s social media strategy and uses social media tools and management/scheduling tools including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Hootsuite, and Smartsheet to achieve City’s communication objectives in coordination with other City Departments and Offices.

Conducts research of new web features and tools for enhancing online offerings.

Monitors and oversees the preparation of website user statistics and reports.

Plans, designs, writes, reviews and coordinates the production of City publications, including brochures, pamphlet, posters, flyers, newsletters and reports.

Assists in the administration of the City’s Communications Plan to keep the public informed of departmental programs, events, accomplishments and activities.

Provides oversight for the development of video and audio content for the City’s government access cable channel, social media channels, and websites.

Researches, writes and disseminates news releases, photo ops and other informational materials and builds relationships with newspaper, television, radio and other communication media outlets to pitch story ideas and content.

Serves as main PIO, MC and/or event host as assigned.

Serve as the main point person for Groundbreaking, Ribbon Cutting or other events.

Strategizes, orders and manages swag inventory. Experience in media buying, paid advertising placement and securing earned media.

Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.

Establishes and maintains effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring and promotion of subordinates; manages discipline of subordinates; authorizes leave and overtime; evaluates and rates employee's performance on an annual basis.

Makes recommendations on employee/labor relations issues.

Supervises staff in accordance with the general policies established by the Office Director.

Recommends policies and procedures for the Division.

Provides recommendations for division budget, including options for cost savings and approving expenditures.

Performs related work as required and assigned for this position.

Education / Experience
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, journalism, communications or a closely related field plus a minimum of three (3) years of experience in public information, public relations/marketing for a government agency or for a private agency servicing local government clients and experience in managing a team of 2 or more employees.

Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and at least five (5) years of experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

Preferred:

Multilingual, team management, strong writing skills, experience in content development and social media marketing.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Driver’s License with proof of automobile insurance.

Background Check – Must have an acceptable background record.

Driving Abstract – Must have an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

CivicPlus suite of tools, Everbridge, Smartsheet, Hootsuite, AI tools.

Advanced writing skills.

Ability to quickly understand complex topics and scenarios.

Ability to manage, prioritize and delegate project tasks and follow through to project completion.

Real understanding of local government processes and procedures.

Experience with managing staff.

Elevated drive to provide excellent Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction and Public Service.

Experience with planning and managing an annual budget.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Multilingual a plus.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, media, and the public.

Ability to use PC-compatible desktop publishing, website content management systems, and word processing programs to create content for public dissemination on a broad range of issues.

Knowledge of social media tools including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Knowledge of applications contained in the Adobe Creative Suite (CS) including Photoshop, Acrobat and InDesign.

Knowledge of all aspects of video production and in the operation of basic audio-visual equipment.

Skill in the operation of general office software including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and PowerPoint.

Knowledge of the laws affecting public disclosure of information.

Ability to organize, prioritize and manage complex workloads.

Ability to analyze information quickly, use independent judgment and make effective decisions.

Skill in the use of modern office equipment.

Physical Demands
The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require the use of fingers or hands to manipulate objects such as picking, gripping, or pressing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment
Work is performed primarily in an office environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Veteran's Preference
The City values the service that veterans and their family members have given to our country, and as such, proactively recruits and hires veterans and qualified spouses to the greatest extent possible. Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. To obtain veteran's preference, candidates must submit a copy of separation papers (DD214) and meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Florida Statutes.

EEO Statement
All applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, abilities, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression. The City of Hollywood is an Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Employer.

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