Executive Director of Communications

HOW TO APPLY:

This recruitment effort is being managed by GMP Consultants. For consideration,  to apply.

The first round of reviews will take place the week of February 15, 2026.

Hiring Range: $ - $ annually

The Executive Director for the El Paso County Communications Department provides strategic and innovative public relations advice and support to the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator, and County leadership. This position develops, oversees, and manages the County’s public relations efforts, including overseeing content development and press releases. This position is also responsible for the administration, management, and planning of the Communications Department.

Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in‑person presence as an essential job function.

• Serves as an integral member of the County’s Executive Team to develop and guide the County’s vision and strategic goals. Exhibits and promotes the County’s Core Values: service focused, collaborative, accountable, trustworthy, and transparent.
• Provides strategic and innovative public relations and communications advice and support to the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator, and County leadership. Provides effective, efficient, and collaborative support to Executive Leadership and Elected Officials.
• Provides information, resources, and direction to the Communications Department, stakeholders, and news media to ensure adequate and positive coverage of El Paso County.
• Establishes and fosters positive working relationships with stakeholders, community partners, and media representatives; oversees the coordination, production, and distribution of public information and announcements.
• Responsible for administering, directing, and organizing the functions of the Communications Department; provides strategic and fiscal oversight and planning.
• Establishes departmental strategies, goals, and objectives to align with El Paso County’s strategic plan and meet the organization’s needs. Develops and directs long‑range planning for the department in coordination with other County departments.
• Directs and oversees the production of content for the County’s website, social media platforms, newsletters, digital recordings, public information materials, and executive communications.
• Oversees responses and/or responds to critical or sensitive public information, Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests, media, elected/appointed officials, and others; ensures legal compliance in areas affecting public access to information. Develops and updates policy for public information responses.
• Develops crisis communication plans in coordination with necessary internal and external partners/agencies.
• Serves as the County’s representative for various community‑based organizations, boards, councils, and committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Anticipates and addresses difficult issues with objectivity, courage, candor, professionalism, and the highest ethical standards.
• Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple internal and external stakeholders while effectively building collaborative relationships.
• Orchestrates and aligns the strategic vision of the County and Department at all levels of the organization, anticipating and planning for future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough innovations and strategies.
• Engages, inspires, and instills trust at all levels, creating a positive culture in which people are motivated to do their best to help the Department achieve its objectives.
• Guides and supports the training of staff with integrity and consistency while establishing and communicating clear performance expectations.

This classification requires managing and monitoring work performance of a department including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department.

Receives minimal and broad direction. This classification typically…