Deputy Director Of Strategic Communications

Summary

The purpose of this classification is to provide leadership and assist in directing and executing communications plans and activities for the City of Tuscaloosa to include design, development, and oversight of strategic communications, public and media relations, visual communications, and digital and online communications such as the city's websites and social media platforms.

This classification is authorized to act on behalf of the Executive Director of Strategic Communications in absence of the same.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Supervises and evaluates assigned staff in the areas of all communications activities of the city of Tuscaloosa including strategic communication, media relations, visual communications and digital and online communications such as the city's websites and social media, and 311.

Ensures presentation of a consistent visual image on the city's websites and other online presences by promoting proper logo use, uniform fonts, formatting icons, images, layout techniques, and modularization; promotes proper use of language and stays abreast of developing standards; remains familiar with current web development, graphic design, and editorial standards.

Serves as the social media manager for multiple City of Tuscaloosa accounts; works with all departments to prepare and post social media feeds; checks the posts for accuracy and applicability; reviews posts to determine impact and recommends changes; serves as an administrator and monitors social media pages; makes posts and replies as necessary; moderates page activity.

Develops and approves marketing and advertising of programs and events; develops ad campaigns brochures, and other promotional materials as needed to market or promote programs or events; works with local media channels to secure advertising and/or placement for programs and events.

Coordinates with consultants and other agencies regarding communication and outreach matters.

Drafts and publishes press releases, media alerts and feature stories to media distribution list on a regular basis.

Assists in the planning, directing, and coordinating of subordinate staff in the performance of department's work; assigns projects and program areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.

Assists in determining the overall departmental organizational structure, mission, core services and allocation of financial, human and capital resources; assists in developing and administering annual departmental budget.

Assists in measuring and evaluating organizational effectiveness, employee performance, and all operational functions of the city's strategic communication efforts.

Assists in planning, organizing, directing and reviewing all communication activities; develops and manages short- and long-term department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; coordinates projects.

Supervises subordinate staff; sets work priorities; creates work schedules; provides training; conducts performance evaluations; rewards and/or disciplines employees.

Assists the Director with comprehensive communications plans and all communications activities of the City of Tuscaloosa; assists the Director with full administrative responsibility for all communication related activities; coordinates activities with other city officials, departments, outside agencies, organizations, and the public.

Assists in developing, implementing and maintaining departmental goals, objectives, priorities, policies, procedures, and work plans; works directly with city personnel in the development and interpretation of city and departmental policies.

Assists in preparing, managing, and coordinating the development of the department's budget; prepares forecasts of necessary funds for staffing, materials, and supplies; presents, justifies and defends programs, operations and activities; monitors and approves expenditures; discusses and resolves budget issues with appropriate staff and implements adjustments as necessary.

Ensures compliance related to the areas of oversight; reviews the work of department personnel to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local laws, codes, regulations, and requirements.

Demonstrates a full understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties; responds to questions and concerns from the general public; provides information as is appropriate and resolves public complaints.

Attends and participates in professional and community meetings; stays current on issues relative to the field of communication; responds to and resolves sensitive and complex community and organizational inquiries, issues, and complaints; establishes and maintains a customer service orientation within the department.

Creates and maintains positive public relations; responds to calls form the public concerning problems, complaints, or emergency situations; directs questions/problems to appropriate area; resolves complaints and/or issues as necessary.

Functions as a deputy member of the city's management team and participates actively in addressing issues of concern to the city.

Implements data-driven processes to effectively direct and enhance the management of the city's communications.

Directs the preparation of technical and administrative reports and studies; presents reports along with recommendations.

Represents the department to other departments, elected officials and external agencies; participates in a variety of boards, commissions and committees; interacts with external agencies as required; attends meetings as required; cultivates and maintains relationships with external stakeholders.

Completes special and ongoing projects and tasks assigned by the executive director.

Supports the relationship between the city and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and city staff; maintains confidentiality of work.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Advertising, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field; five years of experience in crisis communication, public relations, government relations or a related field, preferably supplemented by experience in making presentations, conducting awareness campaigns, and/or working with the media; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Supervisory experience preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, copy and facsimile machines, and telephone. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for light work.

DATA COMPREHENSION:Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things that may include reports, forms, procedural manuals, and training manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange administrative and educational information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:Requires ability to read a variety of educational and administrative documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and a well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE:Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex personnel related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE:Requires the ability to record and deliver information, such as in a public speaking situation, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE:Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, and interpret statistical data.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE:Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment that may include computers/office equipment and standard measuring and recording devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION:Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, automated office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERMENT:Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.