POSITION TITLE: Communications Director
Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range $94,187.00 - $117,682.00
A premier Colorado community, Lone Tree is an exceptional place to reside and work. The City of Lone Tree is seeking an experienced professional communicator to join our team. This position will lead the City’s communication strategy, helping us elevate the City’s public reputation and pave the way for future achievements.
GENERAL DUTIES:
Under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager, this position is responsible for the implementation of all communications for the City of Lone Tree. The Communications Director works collaboratively as a member of the City’s Leadership Team and supervises a Communications Specialist. The position serves as the City’s point person for digital, print, and all other communications. The position is focused on communications for most all areas of the City of Lone Tree, including the Lone Tree Police Department. While the Communications Director will work collaboratively with the Lone Tree Arts Center’s marketing staff, this position does not manage communications for that department.
Specific work involves a broad range of tasks, including project management, media relations, crisis communications, serving as the City’s Public Information Officer, website content management, digital media management, marketing, electronic communications, special events, intergovernmental relations, resident engagement, and community building.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develops and oversees the City of Lone Tree’s media and community relations vision and strategy.
Provides executive writing services for City of Lone Tree staff and Council.
Acts as the primary strategic communications advisor and spokesperson (Public Information Officer) for the city, City Council, and Lone Tree Police Department.
Manages all City of Lone Tree communications channels, to include social media, electronic newsletters, digital signage, text messaging services, and external advertising.
Collaborates with other departments and the City Leadership team to formalize City initiatives for disseminating information to and receiving feedback from the community, upholding, and enhancing the City of Lone Tree’s reputation for accountability, integrity, and trustworthiness.
Offers professional, proactive counsel and support to City leadership, departments, and the City Council in areas such as public relations, marketing, public participation, crisis communications, and strategic communications. May be assigned specific liaison responsibilities with departments.
Anticipates public perception of decisions and programs, proactively recommending appropriate plans and actions to ensure stakeholders correctly understand purpose and intent of each and executing plans at a professional level.
Advises City leadership on developing successful and positive relationships with the news media, offering guidance on the general media landscape and areas of public concern or interest. Responds to public inquiries via phone, in-person, or in writing, and prepares correspondence to address information requests, complaints, and other public matters.
Designs, develops, and produces a variety of public information materials, including brochures, presentations, electronic and printed newsletters, exhibits, reports, online publications, videos, and advertising. Coordinates production activities with contracted photographers, writers, graphic artists, and other consultants. Oversees consultant contracts for public information-related services.
Manages communications and community relations budget preparation, administration, and reporting. Recommends and implements policies and procedures for improvement.
Collaborates as a member of the City Manager’s Office, aligning with City goals and contributing to the development of organizational communication and community relations goals, long and short-range planning, policies, programs, and practices consistent with principles of continuous improvement.
Responsible for planning, promoting, and executing high-profile in-person events for the City of Lone Tree, including annual Town Hall and State of the City engagements.
Implements marketing strategies for various departmental projects and programs, including advertising coordination and participation in the design, development, production, and distribution of promotional materials. Collaborates with marketing staff at the Lone Tree Arts Center, although not directly managing marketing for that department.
Ensures the City’s website content is current, informative, and accessible in compliance with state and federal accessibility mandates.
Oversees the production of City videos, maintains a library of current, high-quality photography, videos, templates, and content.
Conducts resident surveys when appropriate and reports results to City leadership.
Organizes and executes in-person outreach activities and schedules and conducts group presentations.
Supports resident committees by conducting research, arranging meetings, and following up with answers and/or results. Plans, develops, executes, and evaluates methods to encourage resident participation in departmental programs or projects.
Provides exemplary customer service, communicates courteously and responsibly, and fosters effective and efficient service internally and externally.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships throughout the organization and community, establishing strong ties with other department directors, government agencies, and community groups to implement City strategies.
Provides guidance and direction to the Communications Specialist.
Performs duties in alignment with the City’s vision, mission, and values.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES:
Participates as a member of assigned committees and teams. Represents the City and the public to other agencies as needed. Undertakes special projects as assigned. Performs related work as directed by the supervisor.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Oversees the Communications Specialist position.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
Five (5) to eight (8) years of demonstrated excellence in media relations, public relations, marketing, or journalism.
Strong writing skills across various genres (press releases, advertising copy, digital media, etc.) are essential.
A combination of education and experience to provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
NECESSARY SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, community organizations, the public, and other City employees.
Effective communication skills, as this position involves substantial interaction with City Council members, federal, state, and local elected officials, online media outlets, print and broadcast media, county organizations/officials, and the public.
Ability to exercise judgment and respond effectively in public and/or stressful situations.
Maintain a cooperative attitude and flexibility in adjusting to changing priorities.
Ability to handle sensitive situations with confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the capability to comprehend conceptual ideas or strategies and implement them effectively.
Capacity to manage multiple tasks, work under deadlines, and adhere to deadlines under stressful conditions.
Proficiency in word processing programs and various software packages related to preparing informational materials and modern office practices and procedures.
Ability to design, coordinate, and layout promotional materials.
Knowledge of and ability to apply basic math and accounting skills.
Skill in interacting effectively with a diverse range of people to accomplish assigned tasks or projects.
Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions, and to issue clear, concise verbal and/or written instructions to subordinates and other employees, and to report operations verbally or in writing to superiors.
Demonstrated personal effectiveness, credibility, thoroughness, flexibility, and collaboration skills in adhering to and advancing the City’s vision, mission, and values.
Benefits Include:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Saving and Flexible Spending, City of Lone Tree paid Basic Life, Short Term & Long-Term Disability, PERA and voluntary retirement plans, Wellness Programs- including free recreation center pass and onsite fully equipped gym, AFLAC Benefits-Hospital Indemnity, Accident and Critical Illness, EAP, RTD ECO Pass, tuition reimbursement, generous PTO package, and 11 paid holidays.