Governor Exempt Position - Multiple Agency

Reporting to the Cabinet Secretary, the Director of Communications manages the flow of information between the agency and the public. The Director of Communications works closely with the senior leadership of the agency as the communications partner on a variety of mission-driven initiatives. In this capacity, the Communications Director determines the agency’s communication and marketing strategy, manages public relations campaigns and is often the agency spokesperson at media events.
Responsibilities
• Develop, implement and evaluate a cohesive communications and marketing strategy for the agency.
• Identify and maintain effective communications vehicles; manage all media contacts.
• Manage media and public relations efforts, including preemptive planning and crisis management.
• Coordinate earned media initiatives including crafting story pitches, collaborating with national journalist and developing an annual editorial calendar.
• Ensure quality and accuracy of all information released.
• Lead the development of agency’s digital content.
• Optimize the agency’s website and coordinate maintenance with IT to ensure new and consistent information (links, stories, events, etc.).
• Manage the creative production, distribution, and maintenance of agency’s print and electronic collateral.
• Provide guidance and oversight of agency media mix and buying strategy for newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, web, social media, etc.
• Provide mentorship of and coordinate with staff working on marketing, public relations and communications staff within divisions.
• Develop and track metrics for success.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role within a complex (number and variety of constituents) government and/or nonprofit entity, and covering areas such as media buying, content creation, and communications. The ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels is critical.
Specific requirements include:
• Four-year degree in communications, marketing or related field with 5+ years of communications experience, preferably in an arts and culture setting.
• Demonstrated positive record of experience with a range of marketing and public relations tools, including digital strategies, social media, and branding.
• Highly collaborative style; experience developing and implementing communications strategies
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
• High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives