Communications Manager

Position: COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Location: Yulee

Salary: $72,284.86 - $ Annually
Location : NASSAU COUNTY, FL
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number:
Department: STRATEGIC ADVANCEMENT
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NON

Description
Responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and standards for how the County communicates with residents, stakeholders, and the media. Operates at both a strategic and leadership level-guiding messaging on high-profile initiatives, shaping public narrative, and ensuring alignment across departments. Serves as a trusted advisor to County leadership and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). This position may serve as the County's spokesperson and plays a key role in crisis and emergency communications.

Examples of Duties

• Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive, county-wide communications strategy aligned with BOCC priorities and County initiatives.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and elected officials on messaging, public positioning, and stakeholder engagement.
• Shapes and oversees communications for high-profile, sensitive, or complex issues, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across the organization.
• Directs and integrates all communications functions, including media relations, digital strategy, social media, publications, and community outreach.
• Provides oversight of media relations, including proactive strategy, message development, and response to major inquiries or issues.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with media outlets, community leaders, partner agencies, and key stakeholders.
• Oversees brand management and ensures consistency in messaging, tone, and visual identity across all County communications.
• Leads crisis and emergency communications planning and execution; advises leadership during incidents and may serve in the Emergency Operations Center.
• Guides the development of high-impact communications materials, including speeches, reports, briefings, and public-facing content.
• Oversees analytics and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness of communication strategies and ensure continuous improvement.
• Supervises, mentors, and develops communications staff, fostering a high-performing and accountable team environment.
• Represents the County at public meetings, community events, and with media, including outside normal business hours as needed.
• Supervises the work of subordinate personnel; supervisory duties include instructing; planning; assigning and reviewing work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; allocating personnel; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline and discharge; reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates performance and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed.
• May operate vehicle and a variety of equipment, which may include a computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copier, fax machine, other office equipment.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adhere to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.
• Performs other duties as required.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Typical Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor's degree, Masters preferred, in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, Public Administration or related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, and/or media relations, including significant experience in government or public sector environment. Requires three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Requires a valid State Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising elected officials or executive leadership in a county, municipal, or state government setting.
• Demonstrated success managing high-profile or politically sensitive communications issues.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson.
• Background in crisis, emergency, or incident communications.
• Familiarity with Florida public records laws and government transparency requirements.
• Experience leading multi-channel communications strategies, including digital and social platforms.

Position requires a seasoned leader with deep experience in public affairs, media relations, and government communications. The ideal candidate brings strong political acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex, high-visibility issues while maintaining public trust.
Supplemental Information

• Knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County as they pertain to the performance duties of the…