Job Description

Are you an experienced marketing and communications professional who is a natural spokesperson with a strong passion to do meaningful work that positively impacts the community? Are you skilled at reading your audience, anticipating issues that might be overlooked, and proactively finding solutions? Are you looking for a role in a large agency with very high-profile initiatives? If so, this may be the position for you! The City and County of Denver’s Community Planning and Development (CPD) Department is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to join our communications team as a full-time Director of Communications. This very important position is at the epicenter of some major topics in our community conversations such as climate change and homelessness. We offer unmatched benefits, with over three weeks of PTO and 12 holidays, and a pension plan for life. Apply today!

Working for the City and County of Denver (CCD) is so much more than a job. It’s a chance to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of people around you. Click here to find out about all the amazing benefits and reasons to work for the city that you love!

At CPD, we are all about BUILDING COMMUNITY. We play an important role in growing our world-class city, while keeping its beloved features intact. From the skyscrapers of the Central Business District; to the walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods of Central Park; to the charming Victorian effects of the Baker district, the staff at Community Planning and Development works to make Denver a great place to live, work and play. The department’s three primary functions are planning, permitting and inspections.  Learn more about us at  www.DenverGov.org/CPD.

The Director of Communications is a member of the department’s senior leadership team. As the Communications Director, you will lead a team of five communication and public relations professionals in efforts to generate public awareness, engagement and understanding of CPD’s programs and initiatives.

Much of CPD’s work generates a high level of public interest, as the work we do impacts both the day to-day operation of Denver’s 78 neighborhoods, as well as the long-term health and viability of the city as a whole. This position is an opportunity for a strategic thinker and leader who excels at distilling complex concepts into compelling and easy-to-understand messages.

The Director of Communications must collaborate effectively with all aspects of this diverse department, as well as counterparts in other city agencies, to troubleshoot and manage issues and understand and interpret complex regulations to communicate them to the public.

Schedule: Hybrid, 3 days in office per week. 9/80 flex option after successful completion of six-month probation.

Key responsibilities will include:

Strategic marketing communications

• Develop strategies and tactics for targeted outreach to the general public and specific audiences. Lead efforts to “tell our story” across all channels. Demystify government processes and lower barriers to community/customer engagement
• Manage an integrated marketing/communications program, producing a variety of promotional, educational and informational communications on a limited budget (may include printed collateral, social media, email newsletters, web content, signage, events, video, etc.)
• Lead collaborative marketing campaigns for multi-department and agency initiatives, such as Advancing Equity in Rezoning, neighborhood plans, adaptive reuse and participatory budgeting. Manage consultants and contracting when applicable

Media relations and crisis communications

• Lead department strategy for media relations and crisis communications. Establish key messages, coach and train others in interview skills. Develop strong relationships with media outlets and advise the department on media strategy
• Act as spokesperson, including on-camera interviews. Cultivate positive, transparent working relationships with reporters; Write and distribute news releases and media advisories; Manage a high volume of news media requests — ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and appropriate tone; Be responsive to local news media at all times

Community relations

• Support CPD teams in their efforts to perform meaningful community engagement and customer service, including a focus on underrepresented communities. Collaborate with key partners at the Mayor’s office, Denver City Council offices, other city departments/agencies, the Downtown Denver Partnership, RTD, Historic Denver, Inc., and more. Occasionally represent the department at public events

Web content, graphic design and strategy

• Oversee the organization and maintenance of the customer-facing web content on denvergov.org/CPD to ensure simple, consistent and user-friendly guidance for participation in city planning or for any real estate development or home improvement project, etc. In partnership with the city’s Technology Services (web production) team, optimize site functionality, user experience, consistency and branding
• Supervise some of the agency’s graphic design work and develop strong graphic design standards for the department. Use Adobe Experience Manager for web content, Adobe Pro Suite for documents

Leadership/Other

• Lead the communications team; develop and grow staff skills and capacity. Create a positive and enjoyable work environment; develop and actively support professional development for the communications team
• Help guide the department’s handling of open records requests in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act. This position may be asked to be a representative to the city’s “joint information center,” for occasions when a citywide emergency requires an all-hands-on-deck communications approach

About You

We value diverse perspectives and encourage candidates to apply even if you don’t have all the ideal skills. If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, we encourage you to apply and to consider joining our team!

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate experience in the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Commitment to supporting the city of Denver and its residents through CPD’s work BUILDING COMMUNITY
• Excellent interpersonal and public- and media-relations skills; Exceptional communication skills – both verbal and written — including a working knowledge of AP Style
• Proven experience leading communications campaigns, including digital and social media strategy, and serving as an official spokesperson
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex issues, identify communication opportunities and challenges, and develop innovative solutions. This includes anticipating potential communication impacts and adapting strategies accordingly
• Team leadership experience
• Knowledge of local government and public policy and experience tailoring messages to unique audiences, including elected officials
• A work style that is approachable, professional and collaborative
• Ability to self-motivate and a drive to help others; Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Excellent time/work management skills and poise under pressure; Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Cultural Competency and Equity Awareness; Experience engaging underrepresented communities

We recognize your time is valuable, so please do not apply unless you meet the following required minimum qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications or a related field
• Experience:  Five (5) years of experience managing in the communications field (journalism, graphic design, marketing, development communications and/or public relations.) Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional and/or operational management
• Education/Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements

To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the multiple attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Work Sample (optional)

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CA3053 Marketing and Communications Director

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$107,319.00 – $182,442.00

Starting Pay

$107,309-144,000/year, based on experience and education

Agency

Community Planning & Development

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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