Media Engagement and Communications Director

Overview

TITLE:

Media Engagement and Communications Director

JOB CODE: 1008

DEP/DIV:
City Manager

ESTABLISHED: 03/2024

REPORTS TO:

City Manager

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

EMPLOYEE STATUS:
Permanent/Full-time

LOCATION:

City Hall

SALARY/GRADE: $111,000 – $183,341

The Director of Media Engagement & Communications identifies, develops, recommends, and implements media outreach efforts for the City of Joliet, is a key member of the City’s leadership and management team, and leads the City of Joliet’s overall communications strategy.

Duties include but are not limited to protecting and enhancing the image of the City by overseeing public relations, media relations, crisis communications, internal and external communications, and social media/community functions.

Functions as the City’s spokesperson and works with the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, City department heads, community members, and community organizations to respond, develop and implement a communications strategy to share information and increase awareness of the City’s goals to both internal and external constituents.

• Media Engagement and Communications:
  Provides leadership and direction related to the execution of internal and external communication strategies that align with the City’s strategic plan and ensure integration throughout the organization; assesses and considers the implications of proposed actions on the organization and makes appropriate decisions/recommendations.
• Manages media relationships; leads outreach to print, radio, television, and online news media interviews and requests; serves as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries.
• Drafts and edits press releases, speeches, public remarks, opinion pieces, fact sheets, and talking points.
• Proposes, plans, coordinates, and executes press conferences, media briefings, and other forums for media engagement.
• Creates communication plans to manage emerging issues or crises; coordinates and activates crisis communication as needed.
• Maintains a current distribution list of media officials covering the City.
• Provides support and advice on communication matters to City leadership and colleagues as requested.
• Oversees all content for City website, social media sites, and digital communications to maintain comprehensive and proactive social media presence aligned with overall communication goals and strategies; monitors news and social media for City-related communications and develops responses; relays community feedback and engagement trends to elected officials, staff, and project leaders.
• Publications:
  Oversees development and publishing of all City publications such as quarterly newsletter; issue papers, reports, brochures, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials; drafts and edits materials to ensure consistency in messaging.
• Coordination with the City’s Economic Development Department or related agency to develop and execute marketing programs aimed at enhancing the City’s profile for business attraction, retention, and redevelopment purposes.
• Other duties:
  Serve as liaison for JCTV Channel 6; develop and maintain relationships with City leadership and department heads; respond to inquiries from the public, other local governments, and community organizations; evaluate current use of communications and marketing strategies and recommend their utilization; audit, data analyze, and report on communication efforts to determine effectiveness and actionable insights; serve as the City Public Information Officer in emergencies or during critical issues with availability to all media outlets;
  
  attend City Council, City Manager’s Office, and other City meetings as requested; represent the City at community meetings and events upon request; perform other duties as required.

• Requires the ability to acquire a working knowledge of the rules and regulations governing
• Requires considerable knowledge of the principles, techniques, and methods of media/public relations, marketing, and communications.
• Requires knowledge of the processes and equipment used in the design and preparation of multimedia graphics,…