Arlington County is seeking an Assistant County Manager of Communications and Public Engagement to lead the overall countywide public engagement and communications strategy, ensuring that the framework for communications from and to the public is established and maintained, and for collaborating with other County agencies, the Board, constituent groups, and inter-jurisdictional/regional organizations on matters that cross organizational boundaries.
The Job
The Assistant County Manager (ACM) reports directly to the County Manager and manages the Office of Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE), which includes Communications, Public Engagement, and Arlington Video Group. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, the ACM also leads best practices in communication and engagement practices across Arlington County Government and serves as a key spokesperson for the County and provides leadership by:

• Setting and communicating a strategic vision for communications and engagement across Arlington County Government;
• Providing timely, and effective information to the community on important topics, while providing tools and channels that make it easy for people to access and understand information and provide input to the County;
• Championing and implementing innovative ways of achieving public engagement to improve customer service; and 
• Engaging community leaders and other stakeholders in on-going dialog involving County initiatives;
• Collaborating with and advising other Communications and Engagement staff and department management across the enterprise regarding the messaging of information and the public engagement strategies;
• Establishing and sustaining a positive work environment that enhances staff development, learning, and high performance.

The ideal candidate will have experience and a record of success in:

• Designing and implementing public engagement processes for governmental and/or nonprofit organizations; 
• Developing communication strategies concerning public policy or similar complex communications, such as government budget processes; economic development programs; transportation, planning and development and other government related issues;
• Advising and assisting senior executives in presenting information and developing public information programs for a variety of audiences covering complex and technical matters;
• Leveraging information technology and social media to support organizational (internal and external) communications;
• Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships and partnerships with a broad array of stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests;
• Preparing and presenting oral and written reports, presentations, and other forms of communications tailoring the message for different audiences and media;
• Managing staff, developing budgets, and facilitating interdisciplinary workgroups.

For more information about the Office of Communications and Public Engagement, including the latest news releases, click here.
For more information about the County, please click here.
 The successful candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a related area; and 
• Extensive senior management experience in public engagement, public relations, media relations, or communications, preferably in an urban municipal or similar setting. 

Desirable skills:

• A commitment to the provision of information to the public in accordance with the spirit and letter of the law.
• An open and collaborative work style with the ability to communicate appropriately with all levels across the organization.
• Ability to facilitate, negotiate, mediate, and compromise on controversial, sensitive matters.
• Ability to be understanding of, and to function effectively in, a community with diverse attitudes and interests, together with strong citizen participation in community affairs.
• Ability to manage a multi-faceted program through subordinate supervisors in a proactive, effective manner that effectively addresses multiple needs of a diverse organization; and
• Knowledge of digital tools, online engagement platforms, in-person facilitation strategies and other key strategies to advance communications and engagement practices. 

Job Summary