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SalaryStrategic planning and management of Summit County public outreach, engagement, and marketing efforts, including public information, social media, online content, and media-relations activities in support of the Board of County Commissioners, the Manager’s Office, and departments in the organization. Manages and directs the work of the Deputy Communications Director and other team members as needed. Also oversees the brand guidelines, the County’s websites, its social media platforms, along with management of contractors and tools needed to perform the above.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:
The incumbent in this position must be able to successfully perform the following essential job functions and duties:
MEDIA RELATIONS AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
- Act as lead PIO for the entire organization; coordinate all communications, media relations, press releases with departments and BOCC
- Along with Deputy Director, research, develop, review, and distribute press releases, outreach, media andnews briefs for all departments
- Develop strong relationships with local and statewide media and other influencers; maintain an up-to-date contact list
- Maintain broad understanding of public sentiment as it develops, keep the BOCC and relevant electeds and staff aware of trends, press mentions, etc across all media (print, online, social)
- Ensure proper representation of the County, BOCC, and other electeds; lead media relations, including story pitches, talking points, and fielding/planning interviews and appearances with BOCC and/or subject matter experts
- Work with admin team to plan local events on topics important to the community
- Help lead the countywide PIO working group (SPIO); serve as the primary Summit County GovernmentPublic Information Officer during emergencies, disasters, and other incidents; coordinate with other agency PIOs including Sheriff’s Office
- Provide annual media training and best practices for County officials and staff
- Serve as on-air personality/talent and spokesperson as needed; lead the County’s presence on SCTV (local access TV and video) in coordination with Deputy Director
BRANDING, BRAND STRATEGY, VOICE
- Gain a deep understanding of the unique voices and priorities of each of the elected officials
- Develop and execute a strategic brand, and communications plan that reinforces the BOCC’s vision, goals, and initiatives
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure consistency and coordination of communication that supports County brand and BOCC initiatives, including presentations
- Aid in the development of presentations, talking points and other materials for the Board of County Commissioners for use in public meetings, events and speaking engagements
- Serve as steward of the Summit County visual identity, including logo and brand guidelines; ensure understanding of and compliance with brand elements and graphics
- Aid in the development/writing of advertisements/announcements/graphics in print, radio, television andother media
- Create and maintain advertising/announcement/presentation/content tools and templates for use by other departments
WEB CONTENT, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
- Oversee the County’s web redesign, including other departmental web content efforts and microsites
- Help create and manage content, voice, brand/voice on all social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc)
- Manage approvals of all web content in coordination with Deputy Director
- Coordinate the County’s accessibility (WCAG) efforts in collaboration with Deputy Comms Director, Director of IS and other relevant departments and vendors
- In coordination with Deputy Director, oversee internal communications efforts, including staff communications/newsletters
- Implement the County’s Social Media Policy across all properties
- Work with contractors, bilingual experts, and other tools to translate content as needed into Spanish and other languages as needed
Qualifications
- Knowledge of: Media practices and standards, design and visual best practices, a wide variety of Communications tools and channels, social media tools and practices, strategic communications, message development, campaign planning, governmental operations, public policymaking processes, political and socioeconomic issues, website content development, website content management systems and processes, MS Office and Adobe products, basic graphic design principles including layout and proper type usage
- Ability to: Plan and execute campaigns and media (including social media) and public engagement initiatives; develop high- quality written materials for a variety of earned, owned and paid media channels; use Facebook/Meta/Google or other advertising platforms and similar tools to launch content, identify target audiences and develop appropriate communications strategies and tactics; work independently and collaboratively, as part of a team; work well under stressful conditions; occasionally work outside normal business hours as needed for events and emergencies; exhibit patience and composure in difficult situations; work with external contractors, including writers, designers and developers; support the County’s goals, priorities and organizational needs; review and analyze information and materials and formulate recommendations.
- Skills: Advanced writing and editing; strong communications-project management; knowledge of best practices for design, layout, typefaces in print and digital (design experience a plus); campaign planning and execution; strong public speaking; website content development; skill in producing communications materials under tight timeframes. Competence in social media analytics and audience planning, reporting, and ad placement tools; Familiarity with relevant AI tools and an ability to use them as necessary.
- Competent bilingual skill (Spanish, French) is preferred but not required
Special Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism public relations or related field and at least six years related work experience; OR, an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least four years of progressively responsible work experience. Fluent Spanish language skills strongly preferred.
