Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications

SALARY LEVEL
: SCHEDULE E, LEVEL 6

DEPARTMENT
: HOUSING OPERATIONS

SUPERVISOR
: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR DESIGNEE

FLSA STATUS
: EXEMPT

The Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications provides strategic leadership for the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) and Bridge Rockford Alliance across public, resident, staff, executive, and Board communications. The Director develops and carries out integrated marketing and communication strategies; protects the RHA brand; oversees digital platforms and public-facing content; translates performance information into clear reports and recommendations; and supports timely, accurate, and accessible communication about RHA programs, services, priorities and results.

RHA is aggressive and forward-looking in its artificial intelligence efforts. This role is responsible for continuing to move the agency forward through the responsible use of AI to streamline daily administrative activities, strengthen online communications with the public and residents, improve access to information, and reduce avoidable administrative burdens on employees. The Director will guide practical AI implementation, staff education, approved-use standards, and governance in coordination with executive leadership, Human Resources, Information Technology, Compliance, Legal, records-management personnel, and program departments.

• Develop and implement an integrated strategic marketing and communications plan aligned with RHA and Bridge Rockford Alliance goals.
• Set communication priorities, audiences, messages, channel strategies, campaign direction, and publishing schedules for public, resident, staff, executive, and Board audiences.
• Advise executive leadership on communication risks, opportunities, public perception, and the timing and presentation of agency initiatives.
• Develop, review and coordinate sensitive communications, public notices, resident messages, staff announcements, talking points, presentation, and materials requiring leadership alignment.

• Protect and consistently implement RHA's brand across print, digital, web, presentation, signage, apparel, photography, and operational materials.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce brand standards, templates, approved logos, source files, and quality-control processes.
• Lead public relations, media coordination, reputation management, community awareness, and crisis-communication support.
• Monitor public reviews and business profiles, coordinate accurate responses, and recommend improvements based on recurring themes and performance data.

• Manage RHAs digital communication ecosystem, including the public website, employee portal, mobile application, social media, email marketing, online advertising, search visibility, Google Business Profiles, chatbots, and related communication tools.
• Establish content ownership, review workflows, escalation paths, accessibility considerations, and standards for accurate and timely online information.
• Plan, create, approve, schedule, publish, and evaluate resident-centered and organizational content across digital channels.
• Oversee digital-platform functionality, content priorities, technical and vendor coordination, releases, renewals, account permissions, and ongoing maintenance.
• Triage online inquiries, draft or coordinate responses, route program-specific matters to the appropriate department, and protect confidential or prvacy-limited information.

• Lead the continued implementation of RHAs AI strategy and policy, with emphasis on practical, responsible, secure and transparent use.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement appropriate AI-enabled processes that streamline routine administrative work, improve resident and public communications, support content development, and increase staff capacity.
• Coordinate staff education, training, demonstrations, approved tool-guidance, and ongoing learning so employees understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI.
• Develop and maintain AI governance practices addressing human review, accuracy, bias, privacy, cybersecurity, accessibility, records retention, procurement, intellectual property, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Coordinate AI impact assessments…