Strategic Communications Manager

The City of Ottawa, Kansas is recruiting a Strategic Communications Manager. The Strategic Communications Manager serves as the primary media contact on behalf of the City of Ottawa, and is responsible for media relations, internal and external communication activities, and informational campaigns on behalf of the City. This position creates, implements, and maintains communication and branding strategies.

Essential Job Functions:

• Development of a strategic and sustained communications and marketing strategy. 
• Ensure the programing will enhance the organization’s public image, visibility, and reputation.
• Responsible for telling the City of Ottawa’s story and educating the public.
• Develop and maintain a proactive media relations plan, including development of news releases and management of media inquiries.
• Provides a comprehensive analysis of the City’s communications efforts on an annual basis.
• Work in conjunction with IT Staff to ensure all City materials and communications, including social media, have consistent and positive messaging and branding across all platforms.
• Preparing and distributing information through the City’s local radio stations, social media, presentations, print media and other methods.
• Maintain and cultivate contacts with media.
• Assist the City Manager and other emergency personnel with media and public informational functions during emergencies and crisis events.
• Responding to crises or challenging situations quickly and professionally.
• Identify avenues to strengthen relationships with stakeholders and our community.
• Researches, composes, edits graphic design activities in a variety of media regarding a wide range of City projects and serves as liaison between print, broadcast and social media organizations and City departments.
• Develops effective working relationships with department and division heads, staff and the general public in creating and coordinating public information projects and programs including city-wide events.
• Supervises, plans, and directs the activities of staff, identifying projects, potential risks, scope, resource requirements, time frames, and project status.

Ancillary Job Functions:

• Attending all City Commission meetings, workshops and other related meetings when needed.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.
• Comply with all City ordinances and policies.

Education and Experience: (Combination of education, training, and experience will be considered)

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, public relations, business administration, or related field is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in journalism, mass communication, public relations, public administration, English, or closely related field.
• Four years of experience performing the communications function for an organization is required, municipal government experience preferred.
• Maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (not all inclusive)

• Knowledge of municipal government structures.
• Ability to present broad, conceptual ideas in an understandable, adoptable policy recommendation.
• Knowledge of principles, techniques and objectives of public information and journalism as applied to municipal government.
• Ability to coordinate multiple assignments and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to compose news stories, articles, speeches, radio and television releases, reports and letters relating to the activities of all municipal departments.
• Ability to think strategically and implement long-range plans.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, including live interviews.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision, i.e., self-motivated and assertive.
• Knowledge of desktop publishing, software programs and MS-Office applications
• Knowledge of organizational and management practices related to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Knowledge of research methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate, comprehensive, and concise reports and recommendations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees, stakeholders, business entities, and the general public.
• Ability to deal with difficult citizens in a calm and patient manner.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to use good judgment and think quickly and rationally in difficult or stressful situations.

Work Environment:

• General office conditions and moderate noise levels.

Physical Abilities: (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions)

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to talk, hear, grasp, push, stand, walk, reach with hands/arms, stoop/kneel, and climb/balance.
• Must be able to have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement and manual dexterity.
• Must have precise hand-eye coordination and clarity of vision.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Range:                               $79,476.80 to $148,075.20 annually

Date Opened:                    March 5, 2024

Date Closed:                      April 5, 2024

Hours:                                8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. 

Residency:     Regular full-time employees are required to establish and maintain residency within a driving distance of 35 miles of Ottawa City Hall within one year from hire. 

E-Mail Confirmation:  After your application has been received by the City of Ottawa, you will receive confirmation by e-mail. Please check your SPAM filter or JUNK Mail. If you have not received information within 48 hours of submitting your application, please call 785-229-3634 to verify application has been received. For additional information, contact Human Resources at 785-229-3634 or e-mail humanresources@ottawaks.gov.

Anyone with a disability who needs reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at 785-229-3634 at least two days prior to a scheduled test or interview.

The City of Ottawa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.