Communications Director

The King County Department of Local Services (DLS) is seeking a Communications Director to lead the development and execution of strategic communication efforts for the department, ensuring clear, accurate, and timely information is shared with residents, stakeholders, media, and internal staff. This role oversees public information activities, including media relations, crisis communication, digital content, and brand management. The Communications Director provides guidance to leadership on communication strategy, supports transparency initiatives, and ensures messaging aligns with departmental goals and broader organizational priorities. The position manages three communication professionals, coordinates cross-departmental messaging, and uses data-driven insights to improve outreach and public understanding of department programs, services, and policies.

As the department Communications Director you will meet the challenges of managing high profile communications by inspiring and capturing creative ideas, translating governmental jargon into easy-to-understand terms for the public, and continually improving resident communication and enhancing community engagement. The person in this position must also be capable of working collaboratively and maneuvering through complex situations effectively, relating well to customers at all levels both internal and external to the organization and delivering key communications products while balancing competing priorities.

This position reports to the Chief of Staff. 

About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, Road Services, and Permitting divisions, as well as long-range planning, code writing, subarea planning, and comprehensive planning teams. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas of King County.

Our Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing and were main steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Strategic Communication Strategy & Planning: Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive communication plans and strategies to effectively convey the department’s services, programs, and community engagement initiatives for internal and external audiences. Establish communications procedures, protocols, and metrics in collaboration with subject matter experts. Coordinate messaging across divisions to maintain consistency, accuracy, and alignment with broader county initiatives. 
• Advising: Identify and monitor high-profile issues, provide briefings and recommended communication approaches and actions to the Department Director, Deputy, and department leadership. Collaborate with department leadership to ensure clear and consistent communications to employees, partners, customers, and residents.
• Team Management: Manage and mentor the Local Services communications team ensuring effective workflow, quality standards, and professional development resulting in quality deliverables and services. Manage competing priorities and navigate complex organizational environments to deliver quality communication products under tight deadlines.
• Content Creation: Write, design, and produce or supervise the creation of key documents such as speeches, op-eds, reports, commentaries, talking points, fact sheets, news releases and briefing materials for executive leadership and department spokespersons. Oversee the creation and review of public presentations and marketing materials, including brochures, flyers, and annual reports. Ensure content is clear, accessible, and translates complex or technical information into understandable messages for residents and stakeholders.
• Public Information & Reporting: Manage public-facing communications and media relations. Oversee responses to inquiries from the general public and other stakeholders. Use analytics, feedback, and other data-driven insights to refine communication tactics and improve public understanding of programs and services.
• Internal Communications: Facilitate internal communication efforts, including staff alerts, newsletters, events (e.g., all-hands and leadership meetings), and staff engagement activities such as lunch-and-learns and surveys. 
• External Communications: Foster strong relationships with community partners, media representatives, and internal staff to enhance engagement and information sharing. Serve as liaison with King County Executive’s Office communications team. 
• Digital & Media Management: Manage updates for the department’s website, intranet and SharePoint sites. Disseminate information through various social media channels, including websites. Oversee media relations and serve department spokesperson and liaison to news media as needed.
• Graphic Design Oversight: Ensure the department’s graphic design needs are met, including brochures, reports, planning documents, and signage.
• Event Management: Organize and manage media events, including community events, ensuring successful execution and engagement.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other related duties as assigned by department leadership.

Values (ACTIVATE)

• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Timely
• Impactful
• Value Employees
• Accessible
• Trusted
• Equitable

• Previous Communications Experience & Education:

Five years’ experience in a strategic communications role within a government agency, public relations firm, news, or non-profit organization.

Bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field, or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.

Experience with communications principles, tools, and strategies.

Experience working with print and broadcast news media.

• Strategic Skills:

Experience advising senior leaders on communication strategy, high-profile issues, and public information approaches.

Experience developing and executing strategic communications, marketing and branding strategies.

Ability to use analytics and performance metrics to evaluate communication effectiveness and inform strategy.

Work collaboratively to leverage and execute priority work programs and projects.

Skill in thinking strategically.

Ability to research and analyze.

• Communication Expertise:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including:

• • • Writing compelling narratives in a conversational tone.
    • Translating complex issues for diverse audiences.
    • Public speaking and presentation skills.

Experience in executive briefings, news releases, social media content, and speechwriting.

Experience with tools used in digital media and graphic design.

• Interpersonal & Leadership Skills:

Strong relationship-building abilities with diverse stakeholders.

Proven leadership, fostering innovation and strategic risk-taking, for a team.

Skills in conflict resolution, decision-making, problem-solving, collaborating, and negotiating.

• Organizational Skills:

Ability to manage multiple competing priorities while maintaining focus on key objectives and meeting strict deadlines.

Experience creating systems and processes.

• Community Engagement:
  • Skilled in connecting with rural and urban communities including those with diverse populations.

A Washington State Driver's license is required for this position.

Desired Qualifications:

• 8 years in strategic communications role within a government agency, public relations firm, news or non-profit organization.
• Knowledge of and experience with local government operations and political processes.
• Understanding of relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in the field of communications.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying federal, state, and local laws, regulations, programs, and guidelines.

Special duty opportunities are open only to current King County career service employees who have completed the initial probation. Special duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement, King County Personnel Guidelines, or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.

Applications will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials.

For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS:

This position has been designated as Non-Mission Critical -Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: 

This position is non-represented.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENTS:

This is a hybrid position. We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.  

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Sonali Naidu, sonaidu@kingcounty.gov/206-684-2454

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $129,968 - $164,742