Director of Communications (Amended)

About the position

The Director of Communications leads the Communications Department, which is tasked with all external and internal communications for the 17 City departments housed within the Office of Public Service. The position also collaborates routinely on communications work with the Office of Community Safety, Office of City Attorney, Office of the Mayor, Office of City Clerk, and the Office of City Auditor. The Director manages staff members who produce a wide range of internal and external written and digital communications products for the City and oversee media relations, strategic communications, social media, crisis communications, government access broadcasts and franchise negotiations, public access multimedia vendor, contracts and consumer complaint resolution. The Director is responsible for developing and administering the Department's operating budget and executing the organization's overall communications strategy. The Director works across teams to advance priority initiatives including the City's cultural-media programming, Elections and Voter Services work, and paid marketing efforts. The Director will focus on the long-term vision and goals of the organization and how Communications can support those objectives. This highly dynamic and strategic position is critical to Office of Public Service's mission to deliver high-quality programs, initiatives and services to employees, residents, businesses, and visitors in Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas. Amended posting to close on 4/16/2025.

Responsibilities

• Lead team of strategic communications and multimedia professionals.
• Provide direction and strategy for all communications programs and projects housed within the Office of Public Service to achieve major City goals.
• Guide and manage annual Communications Department editorial calendar coordinating timely and strategic delivery of priority announcements, messages, and storytelling.
• Guide media relations management to drive headlines, raise awareness around City initiatives, and deliver information to more Minneapolis residents, business owners, and visitors.
• Oversee digital communications, including citywide social media, e-newsletters, and website content, growing the reach of the City's digital platforms.
• Work with City leadership to ensure cohesion and coordination across the enterprise's communications function and continue managing operational changes enacted as part of the City's new government structure implementation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor performance metrics across media relations, digital platforms, multimedia services, and strategic communications efforts.
• Manage various public affairs vendor contracts, visual design and brand standards, social media policy, and multimedia services contracts.
• Lead crisis communications for the Office of Public Service; administer the City's Joint Information Center during emergencies alongside the communications team in the Office of Community Safety.
• Build communications plans with leaders across the City enterprise, including the Mayor's Office and the Office of Community Safety, Office of City Attorney, Office of City Clerk and Office of City Auditor.
• Provide executive communications support to the City Operations Officer and Deputy City Operations Officer for Communications & Engagement as needed.
• Manage government cable access and related activities, including consumer complaint resolution.
• Support multi-million-dollar franchise renewal negotiations.
• Plan and administer annual department budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism or a closely related field.
• Five years experience directing a comprehensive communications program in a complex organization or eight to ten years experience in a large market media position with a strategic planning component, which has included budget and staff management.

Nice-to-haves

• Considerable knowledge of communications, media and public affairs with understanding of the most effective communications mediums and vehicles.
• Commitment to equity and language access in communication protocols.
• Considerable knowledge of public sector values and efforts to streamline and improve services.
• Experience in change management and organizational analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good knowledge of the internal workings or large complex municipal organizations.
• Experience managing a team of staff members in a political environment.
• Good critical thinking, problem solving, strategic analysis, and planning and implementation skills.
• Excellent leadership and personnel management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good budget management and organizational skills.
• Ability to persuade and influence to achieve desired outcomes and build support for initiatives across departments, along with flexibility and strong work ethic.