Sandy Springs, Georgia

Classification Specification

DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

FLSA: Exempt

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to direct, plan and oversee public relations and communications operations and staff for the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the 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.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the 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.

Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; approves/processes employee concerns and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; reviews and approves timesheets; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and City administrators and elected officials; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.

Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that staff have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to Assistant City Manager, City Manager, Mayor, and City Council.

Develops and implements long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for the Communications Department: researches, assesses and develops strategies to meet current and future issues and concerns regarding City communications and public relations; and implements needed changes, modifications and/or enhancements.

Develops, implements, and updates policies and procedures for the department; formulates and develops work methods and practices, policies, standard operating procedures, and training programs; monitors implementation of and compliance with rules and regulations; and updates policies and procedures as required.

Develops, defends, and implements department budget; prepares budget forecasts and determines allocations for staffing, equipment, supplies, and marketing outlays; develops, submits, and presents annual budget requests to City Manager and City Council; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; reviews and approves expenditures; and maintains related documentation.

Develops and implements a comprehensive communications, imaging, and multi-media plan to support the mission and objectives of the City: develops communications, marketing, and social media strategies; reviews internal and external communications to ensure consistent messaging; directs, creates, and implements branding, marketing, and promotional initiatives and materials; provides audio visual design and oversight for all major City campaigns and image pieces; approves press and media kits; enforces logo use policy; directs the development of and develops web, social media, and intranet content, including regular focus on video; researches and develops concepts for new communications tools; and directs public relations campaigns to support special projects and events, service changes, and new initiatives.

Serves as a liaison to the news media, City departments, boards, and other external groups; plans and coordinates press conferences to disseminate information; responds to media inquiries and questions, including after-hours and weekend media requests; provides print and broadcast interviews as needed; manages essential and time-critical communications activities; serves a member of the joint information center during emergency and crisis incidents; coordinates emergency and crisis communications across departments; executes emergency and crisis notifications through the Sandy Springs Alerts system; and serves as media manager for emergency and crisis incidents as needed.

Serves as primary point of contact for all media inquiries and an advisor to City officials and staff in all media and public relations matters: receives and processes sensitive, complex and confidential material and information; apprises City officials of issues, problems, and opportunities relating to public relations; advises and counsels City officials and employees regarding media relations and interviews; provides assistance, guidance, and training to all departments regarding media contacts and interest, publication, and image matters; assists with complex problem solving and provides technical expertise City-wide; ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures: and provides talking points, reports, visual materials, documentation and presentations to City officials and staff as needed.

Directs and manages media contacts and campaigns; supervises all television and video appearances of staff including breaking news interviews of department directors; acts on media requests; coordinates with other departments for timely delivery on requests; and maintains departmental flexibility to meet all media requests, special projects, and public relations opportunities. Manages the City’s 24/7 Call Center contract, including oversight of performance. Responsible for maintenance of the City’s Knowledge Base to support Call Center operations.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, such as open record requests, invoices, timesheets, drafts of press releases, letters, presentations, advertisements, newsletters, collateral and other marketing material, purchasing card reports, budget and financial documentation, employee performance evaluations, staff and activity reports, etc.,; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Communicates with City Manager, elected officials, Communications team, other City employees, consultants, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate communication related work activities, review status of work, exchange information.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field required; supplemented by seven years of progressively responsible experience in public and media relations, marketing, and community engagement, to include lead or supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Municipal experience desired.

Desired Experience and Skills:

Experience with creating and implementing communications strategy; demonstrated experience with social media strategy, management, and growth; Knowledge of content creation, including video; experience with emergency and crisis communication planning and execution; experience with website development and management; skilled writer; expertise on working with media; and experience leading teams and direct staff management.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to synthesize, hypothesize, and/or theorize concerning data involving modification of existing policies, strategies and/or methods to meet unique or unusual conditions. Requires the ability to do so within the context of existing organizational theories and management principles.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a director capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in critical and/or unexpected situations involving moderate risk to the organization.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors and shades of colors, sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

The City of Sandy Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

The City of Sandy Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.