CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK Communications Manager Salary in the United States

Department: City Manager's Office
 
Primary Purpose:  The Communications Manager assists the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager in the daily administrative functions of the City of Highland Park which includes but is not limited to the communications, special events, and community service programs.
 
Supervision Received:  Works under the joint direct supervision of the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager.
 
Supervision Exercised: Oversight of two Intern positions as well as the part-time Public Access Coordinator and audiovisual contractors.Communications Activities

• Collaborates with the City's management team to recommend and implement a proactive communications program.
• Develops and supervises all communications for website, media releases, social media, Highlander print newsletter, eNews electronic newsletter, Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR)/Annual Report, and other forms of communications in succinct, easy-to-understand language.
• Develops and executes Annual and Weekly Communications Plans.
• Monitors and responds to social media inquiries and comments.
• Develops and executes internal and external crisis communications.
• May serve as City's Public Information Officer as assigned.
• Develops and maintains relationships with local media outlets.
• Creates and implements marketing materials for the City.
• Oversees photography and videography of City events and maintains photo library.
• Ensures organizational adherence to brand guidelines in communications materials. 

Special Events

• Event manager for special events programming for:
  • 4th of July parade, concert, and fireworks;
  • Friday night music festival concerts;
  • Holiday tree lighting ceremony; and
  • Other special events as assigned.
• Assists with day of event programming for:
  • Labor Day Ceremony;
  • Memorial Day Ceremony;
  • National Night Out;
  • Taste of Highland Park; and
  • Other special events as assigned.

Other Duties

• Responds to inquiries from elected officials, staff, residents, businesses, and guests.
• Manages the City's Public Access Center, government access television channel, and the audiovisual production system at City Hall.
• Manages the City's Public Art program and serves as the staff liaison to the Cultural Arts Advisory Group.
• Monitors compliance with, assists in enforcing, and renegotiates cable television franchise agreements. Coordinates resolution of cable and telecommunications utility related complaints.
• Assists the City Manager and Assistant City Manager in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating governmental programs and services. Conducts and supervises community surveys.
• Completes special projects, as assigned by the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager.
• Assists in the management and creation of annual budget for the Communications Division and other budgets as directed by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

Required Minimum Qualifications: 
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
Education:  A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Communications, Management, Public Relations, Political Science or a related field is required. A Master's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field is strongly preferred.
 
Experience: A minimum of eight years responsible public sector communications experience required. Municipal communications experience desired.   Must have thorough knowledge of effective media, public relations and communications.   Advanced knowledge required of all aspects of external communications, including but not limited to traditional and social (Facebook, Twitter) media, direct mail, online communications, conferences, press and events.
 
Certification or License: None.
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Proficiencies:  This position requires excellent writing and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively present ideas both orally and in writing, the ability to produce reports of a varying nature on a timely basis, skills in the operation of a computer, the ability to listen to and give advice and assistance to employees, as well as the general public, and the ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with City officials, employees, and the general public.