Communication & Engagement Director

Are you a communication professional who thrives on connecting communities with their local government? The City of Carlsbad is looking for an experienced leader to direct its award-winning strategic communication program, overseeing a team that manages public engagement, media relations, digital communications, and more.

So, what exactly would you be doing?

In this position you would lead a centralized, full-service Communication & Engagement Department team that supports the city as a whole and all city departments with their communication needs, including:

• Facilitating the community's ability to provide meaningful input into city decision making.
• Promoting awareness of city issues and services.
• Increasing transparency by making city information accessible to a lay audience.
• Encouraging participation in city events and programs.
• Keeping city employees informed about the city organization and its work.
• Helping city staff enhance their own communication skills.
• Providing emergency communication support during natural disasters and other incidents.

This position reports directly to the City Manager and serves on the city's leadership team.

Are we a good fit?

We are looking for someone who has a passion for excellence and is truly excited about helping the public connect with their local government. The right candidate will have high standards and appreciate working for an organization that values quality, innovation and value for the taxpayer's dollar. Flexibility, enthusiasm, creativity, diplomacy and attention to detail are all important traits.

Broad experience and skills

On any given day, you will work with engineers, librarians, safety personnel, attorneys, camp counselors, accountants, construction managers and other city staff to design and implement effective communication programs. We are looking for a generalist who can quickly come up to speed on technical, complex issues and then know how to convey what is relevant to our community, in plain language.

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County, where a great climate, beautiful beaches, scenic lagoons and abundant open space create the ideal California experience. City government serves 115,000 residents and a diverse business community by providing high quality services, including dedicated public safety personnel, well-maintained parks, three pools, 67 miles of city trails and three city-run libraries.

The City of Carlsbad is committed to maintaining its small-town beach community character as it continues to grow. An award-winning growth management plan has helped ensure infrastructure has kept pace with new development, while protecting the city's financial health. Carlsbad has a AAA credit rating, one of the best funded pensions in the region and healthy reserves.

Looking ahead, Carlsbad is planning for the future, guided by a 5-Year Strategic Plan focused on:

• Quality of life and safety
• Community character
• Sustainability and the natural environment
• A thriving economy
• Organizational excellence and fiscal health

You belong in Carlsbad

• Develop communication goals, objectives and strategies.
• Deliver strategic communication guidance to members of the city's leadership team and city subject matter experts.
• Serve as a media liaison (and spokesperson when needed), working with the media on stories about city issues, services, programs and events.
• Develop and execute plans to communicate with internal and external audiences during emergencies, serving as a member of the Emergency Operating Center and as a spokesperson as needed. Collaborate with police and fire PIOs.
• Oversee a consistent visual identity and manage graphic design, including providing content and working with professional graphic designers to create informational materials.
• Develop scripts and oversee professional videographers to create content about the city of interest to the community.
• Plan and execute special event such as groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings and community meetings.
• Develop and oversee the department budget and contracts.
• Develop performance metrics and track effectiveness of the city's communication program based on those metrics.
• Provide communication training and coaching to elected officials and staff.
• Represent the city at meetings and make presentations to groups as required.

Knowledge of

Principles and practices of:

• Strategic communication and communication theory.
• All forms of digital media, including social media, websites, video, photography and graphic design.
• Media relations, including news releases, news conferences, how to be an effective spokesperson.
• Community engagement and public participation.
• Multicultural communication.
• Public administration and organizational development.
• Legal and regulatory environment affecting communication for government agencies.
• NIMS/ICS or other emergency/crisis communication strategies.
• Staff development, training and coaching.

Ability to

• Interface as a consultant with all levels of the organization.
• Train, mentor and develop staff.
• Plan and coordinate effective and measurable communication programs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Exercise judgment in the release of information.
• Coordinate and manage a number of projects simultaneously using effective time management and problem-solving techniques.
• Work independently and follow through on assignment with minimal direction.
• Training and coaching.

A bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, marketing, business administration or a related field is required; and

Five years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications, public information or a related field.