Director of Communications

The city of Las Vegas invites applications for a Director of Communications.

This position will (1) plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Office of Communications, including press releases, press conferences and other media events, the city's official web site and various social media platforms, publications, courier and mailroom, graphic design, and the city's government access television channel; (2) provide public information direction and management expertise to the City Council and city departments; and (3) provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager's and Mayor's offices.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a strategic, experienced communications leader with a strong background in public sector media relations, public information, marketing, social media, and digital communications. This individual excels at developing and executing citywide communications strategies and serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and elected officials.

The successful candidate is an effective people manager with proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams, overseeing budgets, and ensuring consistent standards across all communication channels, including social media platforms, web, publications, and government access television.

They are an accomplished writer and spokesperson with sound judgment, political acumen, and the ability to respond effectively in high-profile or urgent situations. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, service-oriented professional committed to transparency, public engagement, and advancing the city’s mission through clear, accurate, and impactful communications.

Minimum Requirements:

Six years of increasing responsible experience in the field of communications, media coverage, public relations, advertising, marketing or a related area, preferably in a local government environment.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in communications, journalism, marketing or a field related to the essential functions.

Bachelor's degree may not be substituted with additional work experience.

Essential Functions:

1. Assume full management responsibility for all services and activities of the Office of Communications, which provides comprehensive media relations, public relations, speech writing, advertising and marketing programs in support of the Mayor, City Council, City Manager and all city departments, and manages the operation of the city's government access television station.
2. Develop and implement, in conjunction with executive management, a communications strategy for the entire city. Ensure all communications materials are aligned with the city's branding and that all external communications are consistent and coordinated.
3. Select, train, supervise, motivate and evaluate employees; work with employees to develop short and long term goals, monitor accomplishments, establish performance requirements and personal development targets and provide coaching for performance improvement and development.
4. Plan, develop, produce, implement and conduct programs, events and publications designed to inform the public of the roles, resources and activities of city departments; indirectly responsible for all public information activities and communications released by all departments; provide central clearinghouse services for the standardization and coordination of all public relations information.
5. Develop, maintain and ensure city staff adheres to policies and procedures for media relations, city of Las Vegas television station, digital platforms, and publications.
6. Oversee the city's digital communications; supervise web site content and organizational structure; coordinate development of new applications designed to serve the public; promote use of the latest communications tools and programs.
7. Oversee the growth and operations of the city's government access television channel; supervise telecasts of public meetings and news conferences.
8. Oversee the regular monitoring and review of social media and the associated analytics to keep the city in touch and connected with the public.
9. Coordinate activities such as producing and disseminating printed materials.
10. Establish and maintain media contacts and monitor news coverage and trends; prepare concise and accurate news releases and supervise dissemination of news materials; initiate contacts with appropriate media personnel to obtain coverage of city activities.
11. Prepare resolutions, correspondence, proclamations, speeches, agenda backup and other materials required in the area of public relations by serving as staff writer.
12. Develop and administer the Office's annual budget.
13. Gather information through research and interviewing; compile information; maintain informational press files for matters of general interest; provide issue briefings as required.
14. Represent the city at business, civic, industry and governmental meetings; serve as primary media contact and lead communicator for the city.
15. Plan, organize and publicize programs and public events; serve as special event coordinator; coordinate ceremonial matters and ceremonial agenda items; coordinate city special events between departments, City Manager's Office and the City Council; maintain master event calendar.
16. Supervise and coordinate preparation of city annual report; coordinate preparation of graphic arts materials, video and audio presentations and other collateral support material.
17. Manage any public relations special projects requiring involvement of City Manager's Office and select special projects for City Council.
18. Work with local business to coordinate public or private partnerships to promote city programs.
19. May be required to respond to urgent situations during the evenings or weekends.
20. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.