Deputy Director of Communications - 160003

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Deputy Director of Communications for Adams County oversees the department's day-to-day operations, client service model, and organizational communications priorities. This position partners closely with the Communications Director to translate strategic priorities into operational execution while ensuring departments receive responsive, effective communications support. The position serves as the primary liaison between the Communications Department and all other county departments, building strong partnerships to ensure marketing and communications needs are met effectively and in a timely manner. The Deputy Director will then collaborate with Communications leadership to identify opportunities, resolve any issues, and continuously improve service delivery.

The Deputy Director leads the teams responsible for the county's primary communications channels and external engagement, including social media, digital communications, web content, and digital accessibility. This role oversees workload prioritization, operational planning, personnel management, resource allocation, and department performance while ensuring communications priorities align with organizational goals and community needs.

The hiring range for this position is: $109,560.86 - $125,994.99. The full range for this position is: $109,560.86 - $164,341.29.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Communications Department, ensuring effective service delivery, efficient workflows, and alignment with organizational priorities. Partner with the Communications Director to translate strategic goals into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Communications Department and county departments, building strong relationships and ensuring communications, marketing, and engagement needs are met effectively, efficiently, and with a high level of customer service. Identify opportunities to improve service delivery models, processes, and collaboration.
• Lead operational planning efforts by assessing organizational priorities, managing department workloads, allocating resources, and establishing project timelines to ensure successful execution of communications initiatives across the county.
• Supervise, mentor, and support communications staff responsible for social media, digital communications, web content, and digital accessibility. Foster a collaborative, innovative, and accountable work environment while supporting employee growth and professional development.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the county's primary communications channels, including social media platforms, websites, and digital accessibility initiatives.
• Ensure content strategies align with organizational objectives, community needs, and industry best practices.
• Establish operational performance measures and monitor department effectiveness through data, analytics, and service feedback. Identify areas for improvement and implement process enhancements to strengthen communication outcomes and organizational support.
• Collaborate closely with county departments and external partners to support county initiatives, public engagement efforts, and organizational priorities.
• Facilitate communication and coordination across teams to ensure consistent messaging and effective project execution.
• Support the development and implementation of crisis communications plans and operational response strategies. Coordinate communications activities during emergency or high-profile situations to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent information sharing.
• Assist in managing departmental budgets, contracts, and operational resources to support communications priorities while ensuring responsible stewardship of county resources.
• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of communications policies, procedures, standards, and governance practices. Ensure communications activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, accessibility requirements, and county policies.
• Partner with the Communications Director to identify emerging communications opportunities, address operational challenges, and continuously evolve the department's service delivery model to meet the changing needs of the organization and community.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in communications, digital engagement, accessibility, and public sector communications. Apply industry knowledge to improve departmental operations and service delivery.
  
  

Qualifications For Success

• Knowledge of general theories and principles of public relations, marketing, and organizational communications.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading and developing high-performing communications teams through effective supervision, coaching, mentorship, and execution of innovative communications initiatives.
• Knowledge of crisis communication theories and practices.
• Knowledge of public engagement, event communications, and organizational outreach strategies.
• Project management skills.
• Knowledge of current and emerging social media and digital communications platforms.
• Knowledge of professional writing standards, media relations practices, and effective messaging strategies across multiple communication channels.
• Knowledge of organizational operations, workload management, and resource allocation practices.
• Ability to build and maintain effective client service relationships across a large, complex organization.
• Ability to evaluate organizational communications needs and implement operational improvements.
• Knowledge of digital accessibility standards and best practices.
• Ability to analyze organizational priorities and align communications resources to support strategic objectives.
• Experience using performance metrics, analytics, and data to inform decision-making and improve service delivery.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to stay informed of emerging technologies and trends related to public information and communications.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with the public, local jurisdictions, agencies, and community partners.
• Use sound judgment in the release of information and effectively communicate highly sensitive information.
• Handle sensitive situations with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Prioritize multiple projects, meet required deadlines, and manage competing priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster effective and collaborative relationships with internal clients, county officials, employees, media representatives, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  
  

More Qualifications For Success

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Years of experience may substitute for a degree, on a year-to-year basis. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be as follows:

• Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field, including a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Must have a demonstrated track record in organizational communications, media relations, digital communications, crisis communications, and the management of complex communications initiatives.
• Experience overseeing digital communications programs, social media strategies, web content, and related communications functions.
• Experience leading and supervising communications professionals, managing workloads and priorities, and supporting cross-functional organizational initiatives.
• Must possess strong public speaking, presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Education and Training: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or closely related field.
• License or Certificate: None.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
  
  
Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect


• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability
  
  
Plus Some You Might Not Expect


• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace
  
  
01

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.


• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but disagree.
  
  
02

Please select the option that best describes your education and experience:


• I possess a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or closely related field with seven (7) years or more of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field, including three (3) years or more of supervisory or management experience.
• I possess an Associate's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or closely related field with nine (9) years or more of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field, including three (3) years or more of supervisory or management experience.
• I possess a High school diploma or GED equivalent with eleven (11) years or more of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field, including three (3) years or more of supervisory management experience.
• None of the above.
  
  
03

Experience overseeing digital communications programs, social media strategies, web content, and related communications functions is required for this position. Do you meet this requirement?


• Yes
• No
  
  
04

Describe your experience managing day-to-day operations. How did you balance competing priorities, allocate resources, and ensure high-quality service?

05

What is your leadership philosophy, and how have you successfully coached, developed, and held employees accountable while fostering a positive team culture?

06

Tell us about a process or workflow you improved within a communications team. What problem were you solving, what changes did you implement, and what measurable results did you achieve?


• Required Question