Communications Director

The Communications Manager’s primary responsibilities are to create and execute marketing and communications strategies, promoting the agency’s programs, services and initiatives, while at the same time ensuring that staff and external stakeholders are kept apprised of progress and priorities. The above activities must align with and support the strategic direction and goals set by the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board (MWDB), as communicated via DESC Executive Leadership.

Strategic:

· Develop Marketing Communications proposals that align with the direction set by executive leadership and the MWDB

· Proactively provide reports on performance of marketing and communications activities, including presentations as required

· Ensure that all communications elements are built on and reflective of this agreed strategic foundation

· Work closely with executive leadership in the conceptualization, design and production of materials and campaigns

Communications:

· Ensure collaboration with internal staff (Admin, IT) to provide up-to-date content for the DESC intranet, specifically for marketing initiatives, leadership messaging and news items

· Direct the development of newsletters, cascading information to jobseekers, internal staff, external workforce partners, board members and other interested stakeholders

· Oversee and maintain a network of Communications Ambassadors at the nine Detroit at Work career centers, including in-person quarterly meetings, to allow accurate cascade of materials from admin offices to career centers, and to ensure a feedback loop is in place to provide input from career centers to admin offices

· Ensure that Detroit at Work has capacity and a process to attend meetings in the community to share information about services available, including meetings scheduled by the mayor or city council

Marketing:

· Work with Media Planning to develop plans to support initiatives with bought media as agreed with executive leadership, approving media buys and invoices as appropriate

· Oversee management of Detroit at Work social platforms, including content calendar, posting strategy, comment responsiveness and issue management, cascading input to Operations leadership as and when appropriate

· Drive the development of multiple websites, including structure, build integrity, content accuracy, UX and performance analysis

· Work with creative partners (graphic design, video production) to develop compelling, appropriate, and target-relevant creative assets for use across a range of media and communications channels

Media Relations:

· Lead media engagement activities including the scheduling and planning of newsworthy events

· Lead the development of Media Advisories and Press Releases, developing or sourcing contributor quotes as appropriate, and securing necessary third-party or internal approvals before circulating to media partners (Media Engagement Platform: Granicus)

· Act as first point of contact for media engagement, including crisis management, providing responses to media questions, managing requests for interviews, and pitching media success stories as and when appropriate, working with the mayor’s office

Administrative:

· Propose and maintain the budget for Marketing and Communications activities, including but not limited to graphic design, media buying, digital (website) agency, video production, consulting support, and branded materials

· Manage the communications department internal team, ensuring that resources are deployed appropriately, and that goals and activities are aligned with agreed corporate strategy

· Be responsible for team performance including evaluations, recommendations, and career development opportunities

· Manage the performance of partners, including invoicing, contract renewal and procurement using an RFP process

· Ensure ownership and active management of Detroit at Work Google Pages by relevant career centers, driving positive reputation management and quickly addressing negative online feedback

· Develop and maintain policies as required (for example, social media use policy, or media contact policy)

· Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION:

· Must possess a bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications or a similar field, or possess equivalent work experience in lieu of such educational attainment

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

· Work experience should consist of 7 to 10 years of marketing or communications-related positions, demonstrating progressively more responsibility and strategic exposure, and the ability to manage budgets and direct reports

· Experience working with municipal or state government is a plus, though not a requirement

· Experience working in a non-profit environment is a plus, though not a requirement

· Must have a high level of attention to detail, excellent writing and organizational skills, and the ability to work quickly and accurately in a challenging, fast-paced environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· A team of 4 internal staff; including (1) Digital Communications Coordinator, (1) Digital Communications Specialist, (1) Outreach and Events Coordinator, and (1) Content Development Specialist

· External Contract partners including Video Production, Graphic Design, Web Development and Media Planning/Buying

LICENSES:

Valid Driver’s License (position requires fieldwork)

OTHER:

Background check and drug screen required