Community Relations Director

The City of Hilliard is seeking a dynamic and experienced candidate in public relations to lead our communications strategy and promote civic engagement. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for shaping public perception, building trust with residents, managing media relations, and ensuring clear, transparent communication across all city departments.

Under the general supervision of the City Manager, the Director of Community Relations is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all public relations and communication functions of the City. This position leads a team of five full-time employees.

Essential Functions of Work:
Directs, supervises, assigns, trains, and evaluates the work of a staff engaged in marketing, internal and external communications, media relations, social/digital media, brand alignment, multi-media productions, public affairs, and crisis communication functions, operations, programs, and activities; supervises the development and dissemination of all news releases and public information materials.

Establishes, develops, and maintains effective relations with the news media to ensure fair and balanced media coverage; develops, in conjunction with community representatives, the strategic communications plan; and media, Chamber of Commerce, business leaders, and community groups to promote the City.

Identifies newsworthy information, develops ideas, and gathers necessary details to write, produce, edit and disseminate various materials including, but not limited to: media releases, speeches, presentations, speaker's points, employee communications and newsletters, resident newsletters, annual reports, City brochures, advertising copy, promotional copy, special projects, and other miscellaneous publications, materials, and copy needs; coordinates outreach programs and projects to educate and encourage citizen involvement in the City government.

Responds to inquiries and requests for information from the media, residents, and corporate citizens; contacts media to discuss and secure coverage of City issues to ensure fair and balanced coverage; organizes press conferences, prepares news releases, media releases, and other overview information that explains issues; monitors all media coverage that pertains to the City.

Serves as a public relations and marketing consultant to all City departments, providing media communications support and overseeing the production, development, implementation, and adherence to the City's graphic standard program for all City publications and major audiovisual presentations. Coordinates media training for senior management employees.

Works with departments to plan, coordinate, and implement major special events including promotion of City programs, displays, still/video photographs, community campaigns, civic celebrations, activities and public consultation functions to educate the general public on community issues; monitors and updates the City's strategic communication plans and emergency public information plan; secures professional consulting services to assist as needed with projects.

Plans and implements content management, training of staff; collaborates with the Information Technology staff regarding the City's website and collaborates with other departments on use of the City's social media sites.

Manages an internal communications program designed to develop new and better means to effectively communicate with City employees.

Develops, prepares, and presents the department's annual operating budget.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of City department and division goals and objectives; department policies and procedures; personnel rules and regulations; workplace safety; budgeting; government structure and process; media relations; marketing; public relations; supervisory principles and practices; employee training and development; project management; English grammar and spelling; local geographic area.

Advanced user of Microsoft Office software.

Advanced knowledge of graphic design, social media, and developing audiovisual presentations.

Ability to carry out detailed but basic written and oral instructions; interprets a variety of instructions in written, oral, picture, or schedule form; resolves issues involving several variables within a familiar context; applies management principles to solve problems.

Exercises independent judgment and discretion; compile and prepare reports; maintain confidentiality; train or instruct others; respond to routine inquiries from public and/or officials; prepare and deliver speeches and presentations; communicate effectively; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; develop and maintain effective working relationships; handle sensitive inquiries from officials and general public; resolve complaints.

Ability to assess the overall effectiveness of the department in carrying out its mission and recommend improvements.

Ability to effectively plan, coordinate, organize, schedule, and prioritize the department's activities, functions, and assignments.

Ability to establish, develop, and maintain effective, professional working relationships with staff, peers, government officials, community organizations, business leaders, and the news media.

Typical Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, or other relevant field (Master’s Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, or other related field preferred) and extensive progressively responsible managerial public relations, communications, journalism, or other relevant experience required.

Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills

Demonstrated ability to lead during crises and manage sensitive communications

Strong understanding of local government operations and public affairs

Experience with social media strategy, digital communications tools, and content development

Thorough knowledge of multimedia, multifaceted community-oriented communication strategies and techniques.

Considerable knowledge of team-oriented, collaborative, participatory leadership concepts, principles, practices, and methods.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,006.40 - $135,012.80 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,006 - $135,013