Deputy Director, Office of Communications

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, the Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and saving options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Executive Office of the Chief of Police (EOCOP), Office of Communications (OC). The incumbent serves as Deputy Director Communications which plays a critical leadership role in shaping public perception, enhancing transparency, and fostering trust between the MPD and the community. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Deputy Director is responsible for developing and executing MPD’s external communications and engagement strategy. This position leads a team of managers and specialists across all facets of the Public Information Office, including media relations, public relations, digital platforms, visual storytelling, website content, and social media engagement

The Incumbent Will Be Responsible For The Following

• Manages and supervises a multidisciplinary communications team and fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
• Sets performance goals and standards, conducts evaluations, provides developmental and training guidance and coaches to support professional growth.
• Leads cross-functional planning meetings and ensures alignment across communication priorities.
• Supports the Director of Communications in developing long-term communication strategies aligned with MPD’s mission, Chief’s tagline and vision
• Oversees the planning and coordination of press conferences, media events, and executive communications, ensuring consistent, timely, and mission-aligned messaging.
• Leads MPD’s media response during critical incidents, emergencies, and high-profile events, addresses inquiries and provides real-time information to media on-site.
• Develops and executes proactive media strategies that promotes MPD initiatives and community engagement.
• Provides real-time updates and official statements to media and the public during active scenes.
• Prepares press releases, key messages, talking points, presentations, scripts and briefing materials for the mayor, chief and other senior leadership. Briefs the Chief of Police and executive team for press conferences, interviews, and public appearances.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with local, national, and international media outlets and ensures consistent messaging to media. Provides media training and crisis communication guidance to department personnel.
• Manages the department’s media production unit and ensures high-quality, brand-consistent content across platforms.
• Serves as spokesperson and provide real-time updates and official statements on-site. Handles sensitive and confidential law enforcement information responsibly and in accordance with data privacy regulations.
• Oversees the media unit, including photography, videography, and digital content creation. Provides creative direction and ensures consistent branding and high-quality visual storytelling across all media assets and platforms.
• Oversees MPD’s website content strategy, ensures clarity, accessibility, and relevance, and monitors analytics to optimize web performance and engagement.
• Leads production of public service announcements, recruitment campaigns, and community outreach videos and monitors digital analytics to optimize engagement and user experience
• Oversees MPD’s presence across all social media platforms, including but not limited to X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
• Oversees development and implements strategic content calendars aligned with department priorities and public safety messaging.
• Serves as final leader to review and approve all content prior to publication.
• Ensures accurate, transparent, and consistent communication during emergencies, high-profile incidents, and ongoing campaigns.
• Collaborates with internal teams to align messaging across platforms and supports department-wide initiatives.
• Coordinates messaging during multi-agency operations and National Special Security Events (NSSEs). Serves as public information co-chair for NSSEs and other large-scale events.
• Ensures consistent messaging across public safety agencies, city officials, and partner organizations.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with communications teams at local and federal law enforcement agencies and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to align communication goals.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Mastery knowledge of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques; and interpersonal relations practices; public relations and media relations strategies and tactics - from concept to execution and follow up; and mastery knowledge of communication strategies and superior creative skills to deliver effective, consistent, and clear communication.
• Strong analytical, strategic and creative skills to develop and implement public outreach programs; and skill in developing strategies to disseminate information. Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and fast-paced work assignments. Ability to effectively develop, organize, and present ideas and concepts to diverse groups, including government officials, journalists, analysts, and District residents.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills in order to develop presentations, present complex issues to diverse audiences; prepare and present recommendations, reports, position papers, providing outreach to citizens, and conducting media relations.
• Extensive skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of employees, managers, citizens and other MPD stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in providing leadership in a supervisory capacity. Ability to supervise subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty, and the requirements of the assignments and their capabilities.
• Ability to manage high-pressure situations and coordinate across agencies.
• Familiarity with digital media strategy, content production, and branding best practices.
  
  

Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Education

High School Diploma or its equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field is preferred.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the MS-13 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from public or private sector.

Specialized experience for this position includes, but is not limited to: experience effectively managing a communications program, including coordinating and integrating complex and high-profile communications plans utilizing various media; experience planning and developing communications strategies; experience representing an organization by speaking to diverse audiences and participating in meetings to promote public safety and law enforcement programs; experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with organizations involved in public safety and law enforcement activities; and experience supervising communication staff and managing team performance.

Work Environment

Work location is in an office environment. Work is sedentary and may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meeting and conferences away from the work site and carrying light items, such as laptops, papers, books, small parts, and driving an automobile.

Other Significant Factors

This position is considered “emergency” per DPM Chapter 12. An emergency employee must report to or remain at work if activated, during a declared emergency.

This Position Is Deemed As Security Sensitive Pursuant To Chapter 4 Of The D.C. Personnel Regulations, In Addition To The General Suitability Screening And Criminal Background Check (pre-employment And Periodic), Individuals May Be Subject To The Following Checks And Tests

• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable);
• Consumer credit check (as applicable);
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
• Random drug and alcohol test;
• Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
  
  

This position is “At Will”. At will employment applies to the Management Supervisory Service (MSS). All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited. Click here to review additional information Employee Disclosure & Information for Applicants