Communications & Public Engagement Manager

The Strategic Communications and Public Engagement Manager serves as the City's lead communications professional and Public Information Officer (PIO), responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive communications and public engagement strategies supporting City messaging, priorities, policies, programs, services, infrastructure projects, and organizational initiatives, community outreach initiatives, public perception and crisis communications. Additionally, the position serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, elected officials, and department directors.

Responsibilities include executive communications, media relations, public information, community engagement, legislative communications, organizational change management, emergency communications, reputation management, and strategic planning support. This position works collaboratively with City leadership, departments, elected officials, neighborhood councils, community organizations, business groups, regional partners, and the public to ensure transparency, trust, effective communication, and meaningful public participation in local government. Work is performed under the general direction of the Deputy City Manager.

Strategic Communications and Executive Advising

Serves as principal communications advisor and counsel to City Administration and City Commission regarding communication risks, opportunities, public perception and stakeholder concerns.

Develops and implements strategic City communications plans supporting organizational priorities, policy initiatives, and major projects.

Assists executive leadership and elected officials with speeches, presentations, talking points, public remarks, correspondence, reports, and messaging strategies.

Identifies emerging issues, trends, and public concerns that may impact City operations, projects, or reputation.

Conducts research and analysis to support communication planning and executive decision-making.

Public Information and Media Relations

Serves as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO).

Establishes and maintains professional relationships with local, regional, state, and national media representatives.

Coordinates media responses, interviews, press conferences, public statements, and information releases.

Ensures consistent, accurate, and timely dissemination of information regarding City programs, services, projects, and initiatives.

Advises departments and leadership regarding sensitive, controversial, or high‑profile communications matters.

Monitors media coverage and public sentiment regarding City operations and initiatives.

Community Engagement and Public Participation

Develops and implements public engagement strategies that encourage meaningful community participation in City decision‑making processes.

Designs outreach plans for major projects, policy initiatives, strategic planning efforts, and community development activities.

Facilitates public meetings, stakeholder workshops, neighborhood forums, and community engagement activities.

Collaborates with neighborhood councils, business organizations, nonprofit agencies, community groups, and governmental partners.

Develops innovative approaches to improve transparency, public trust, and citizen engagement.

Evaluates public engagement efforts and recommends improvements based on participation metrics and community feedback.

Organizational Communications and Change Management

Develops and leads organizational communication strategies and initiatives supporting employee engagement, organizational effectiveness and changes, restructuring efforts, policy implementation, technology transitions and City culture.

Assists departments in communicating complex projects and operational changes to internal and external audiences.

Trains, coaches, and guides City leadership and departmental staff in best practices of public communications.

Develops City‑wide communication standards, policies, procedures, and best practices.

Emergency and Crisis Communications

Serves as the City's PIO during emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents.

Develops, maintains, and exercises emergency communications plans and protocols.

Participates in Emergency Operations Center activations and incident management activities.

Coordinates public messaging and information dissemination during emergencies and crisis situations.

Strategic Initiatives and Project Management

Supports leadership in development and implementation of strategic City initiatives.

Coordinates communication and engagement activities of major capital projects, economic development initiatives, policy changes, and organizational priorities.

Develops performance measurements and key indicators to evaluate communication effectiveness and public engagement outcomes.

Assists in the development and administration of division budgets, contracts, and consultant services related to communication and engagement activities.

Digital Communications

Establishes communication standards, branding guidelines, and content management practices.

Ensures compliance with ADA accessibility requirements and evolving digital communication standards.

Provides strategic oversight of the City's digital communications platforms, website content, social media presence, and electronic communications.

Evaluates emerging technologies and communication tools to improve organizational effectiveness and public engagement.

Leadership and Collaboration

Leads and directs citywide strategic communications across all departments, providing oversight and coordination to ensure messaging is accurate, timely, consistent, and aligned with City priorities.

Represents the City at meetings, conferences, public events, and intergovernmental activities.

Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, governmental agencies, business organizations, educational institutions, and regional partners.

Educational and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, Planning, Public Administration or related field or 5 years government experience.

Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in Public Relations, Business, Planning, Public Administration or related field.

Minimum of five (5) years of local government experience.

Preferred Qualifications

A Master’s degree in any of the identified fields under Required Education.

Experience advising executive leadership and elected officials.

FEMA PIO training.

Emergency management or crisis communication experience.

Experience facilitating public engagement and stakeholder involvement processes.

Necessary Qualifications

Possession of a valid Montana Driver's License.

Extensive knowledge of strategic communications, public information, public relations, media relations, community engagement, and stakeholder outreach principles and practices.

Extensive knowledge of local government operations, public policy development, and public administration principles.

Substantial knowledge of crisis communication, emergency management, and incident communication systems.

Ability to develop and implement complex communication and engagement strategies.

Ability to analyze political, organizational, and community issues and recommend communication approaches.

Possesses excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to effectively communicate to diverse audiences, including elected officials, community stakeholders, media representatives, and the general public.

Experienced facilitator in meetings, public forums, and stakeholder engagement processes.

Ability to prepare complex reports, presentations, speeches, and communication materials.

Ability to manage multiple high‑profile projects and priorities simultaneously.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse audiences.

Core Competencies

Strategic Thinker and Planner

Executive Presence and Professional Judgment

Public and Community Engagement

Relationship Building and Collaboration

Political and Organizational Awareness

Crisis Leadership and Decision Making

Innovative and Continuous Improvement

Accountable and Results Oriented

Supervisory Responsibility
May provide functional supervision of other City communication consultants, contractors, interns, volunteers, and project teams. Future direct supervisory responsibilities may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.

Work Environment
Work is performed in office, public meeting, and emergency response settings and environments.

Expected Hours of Work
The work schedule is Sunday through Saturday. Work is typically performed Monday through Friday in a 40‑hour workweek. Evening meetings, emergency activations, community events, public hearings, and other assignments may require work outside regular business hours.

Travel
Frequent local travel throughout the community and occasional regional, state, and national travel for professional development, conferences, training, and intergovernmental activities.

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