Director of Communications

Salary:

$66.81 - $73.08 Hourly
Location :

Houston, TX
Job Type:

Regular Full-time
Job Number:

16803
Department:

Tax Assessor Collector
Opening Date:

06/11/2026
Closing Date:

7/11/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Position Summary:
The Director of Communications leads the Communications unit of the Office of Public Affairs and serves as HCTO's senior communications professional responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy for the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office. This position oversees all communications functions, including media relations, digital communications, content creation, written communications, crisis communications, and brand management. The Director supervises a team of two communications staff and serves as the primary interface between the Office and the news media. This position advises senior leadership on communications strategy, messaging, and reputational matters, and must exercise expert independent judgment on time-sensitive, high-visibility, and politically sensitive communications decisions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy for the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar's Office, encompassing media relations, digital and social media, content production, internal communications, and public awareness.
Serve as the primary media relations contact for the Office, managing relationships with print, broadcast, digital, and ethnic media outlets, responding to press inquiries, facilitating press conferences and media briefings, and developing proactive media strategies.
Draft and edit high-quality written communications, including press releases, media advisories, public statements, op-eds, speeches, talking points, fact sheets, letters, and constituent correspondence.
Directly supervise the Communications Specialist and the Communications Coordinator, providing performance management, editorial guidance, workload direction, and professional development.
Develop and maintain HCTO's communications brand standards, including visual identity guidelines, messaging frameworks, editorial style standards, and tone of voice guidelines.
Lead the planning and execution of HCTO's digital communications presence, overseeing website content, social media channels, email communications, and digital content calendar.
Advise the Chief and other senior leadership on communications strategy, messaging, media dynamics, and reputational implications of organizational decisions.
Develop and execute crisis communications plans, managing HCTO's response to emergencies, media controversies, and sensitive public situations with speed, accuracy, and strategic judgment.
Coordinate communications for major office initiatives, public announcements, election cycles, and legislative developments, ensuring consistent, timely, and effective public information.
Oversee the development and production of public-facing materials, including publications, brochures, annual reports, infographics, videos, and other print and digital content.
Monitor news coverage, public opinion trends, and relevant media activity, providing regular intelligence reports and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Manage relationships with communications vendors, contractors, and consultants, including scope development, quality review, and budget oversight.
Develop and manage the Communications unit budget, including preparing budget requests, monitoring expenditures, and reporting to division leadership.
Establish editorial calendars, content planning processes, and communications workflow systems to ensure consistent, coordinated, and high-quality output across all channels.
Serve as HCTO's spokesperson or coordinate spokesperson functions as designated by the Chief.
Ensure all communications activities comply with applicable Harris County policies, Texas public information laws, and applicable state and federal regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Public Affairs.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public affairs, public relations, or a closely related field is required.
A master's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, or a related field is preferred.
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs communications, or journalism is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience managing professional communications staff is required.
Demonstrated experience as a media relations professional or spokesperson in a government, public sector, or high-profile organizational environment is required.
Demonstrated expertise in digital communications, social media strategy, and digital content production is required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Expert knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, public affairs communications, digital media, and content strategy.
Expert knowledge of media relations practices, including managing relationships with diverse media outlets, conducting press conferences, and navigating complex media inquiries.
Thorough knowledge of crisis communications planning, media management during sensitive situations, and reputational risk assessment.
Knowledge of Texas Public Information Act requirements and compliance obligations in government communications.
Knowledge of digital communications platforms, social media management, web content management, and digital analytics.
Skill in writing and editing at an expert level across a broad range of formats, including press releases, speeches, public statements, fact sheets, and digital content.
Skill in developing and maintaining a consistent organizational brand voice and visual identity across multiple communication channels.
Skill in supervising and developing communications staff, providing editorial direction, and managing production workflows.
Skill in advising senior leadership on communications strategy with expert judgment, political awareness, and organizational sensitivity.
Ability to exercise expert independent judgment on time-sensitive, high-visibility, and politically sensitive communications matters.
Ability to manage multiple communications priorities and projects simultaneously, often under significant time pressure.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with journalists, editors, and media professionals.
Proficiency in communications tools, including content management systems, social media platforms, media monitoring services, and design tools.

NOTE:

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation

but

ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"

will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences

Experience:

Experience with crisis communications planning and execution is strongly preferred
Experience as a communications director or senior communications professional in a Texas local government or county agency.
Established relationships with Houston-area media organizations and journalists.
Experience with Spanish-language media or multicultural communications strategies.
Familiarity with Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector services and election administration communications.

General Information
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Availability outside standard business hours during breaking news events, crises, elections, and major public announcements is required. Some local travel for press events and media engagements is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to sit for extended periods, operate standard office and communications equipment, and travel to off-site media and press events.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered

only

to Harris County employees in

regular (full-time)

positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Wellness Plan
Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)

Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
One (1) floating holiday per year
Paid Parental Leave*
Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit

457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in

full-time

and select

part-time

positions:

Professional learning & development opportunities
Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
Flexible work schedule*
METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

High School or GED diploma
Associate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree or higher
None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

Communications
Journalism
Public Affairs
Public Relations
Other related field
Unrelated field
N/A; No degree

03

Please describe your educational background (i.e. diploma, degree, certifications, etc.) including the level of education completed, area of study, and completed major and minor programs.
04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs communications, or journalism?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history))

Less than eight (8) years
Eight (8) or more
I do not have this experience

05

Please provide details about your verifiable progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs communications, or journalism.Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume."(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilitiesIf you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.)
06

Which of the following best describes your verifiable supervisory experience managing professional communications staff?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

Less than five (5) years of experience
Five (5) years or more
I do not have this experience

07

Please provide details about your verifiable supervisory experience managing professional communications staff.Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume."(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilitiesIf you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.)
08

Do you have experience with crisis communications planning and execution

Yes
No

09

Do you have any experience as a communications director or senior communications professional in a Texas local government or county agency?

Yes
No

10

If you answered yes regarding the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications.(Type N/A if not applicable)
11

Do you have experience with Spanish-language media or multicultural communications strategies?

Yes
No

12

If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications.(Type N/A if not applicable)
Required Question