Strategic Communications Planner
- Employer
- City Of Alexandria Virginia
- Location
- Alexandria, VA
- Salary
- $73,269.56 - $128,938.42 Annually
- Posted
- Sep 24, 2022
- Closes
- Oct 10, 2022
- Ref
- 2023-00146
- Function
- Communications
- Industry
- Government and Public Services
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Strategic Communications Planner
Position Profile
The City of Alexandria is known for the stories of its past; this position is an exciting opportunity to share the story of its present and set the stage for its future. Join us as we prepare to tell the evolving story of this 272-year-old community, named #3 Top Best Small City in the U.S. in 2021 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
The City of Alexandria is a diverse, energetic, caring community with a city government that reflects these values. Our goal is to reach people where they are , using strategies and tactics that address language access, the digital divide, and issues around social equity. The successful candidate will prioritize communication strategies which benefits all Alexandrians, specifically our hard-to-reach and underserved communities, as well as for those who work and visit our City.
The Strategic Communications Planner serves in the Office of Communications and Public Information, reporting on a day-to-day basis to the Strategic Communications Manager. This position will specialize in drafting communications strategies, focusing on priorities adopted annually which guide the City’s budget and policy frameworks. These include but aren’t limited to community engagement, economic development, and diverse housing opportunities.
This position will work to eliminate gaps in information dissemination, strengthen skills and relationships among City communicators, and execute policies, procedures, and standards for citywide messaging. This will be achieved serving as a liaison to City departments, meeting with Public Information Officers regularly to ensure transparent communications and a consistent narrative with the City’s goals and objectives in all aspects of communications to the public, employees, and the media.
Other responsibilities to achieve these goals include assisting with regular staff training of communications policies and procedures, management of department workplans and the citywide content calendar, and guiding on - time internal and external communications.
This role will assist high profile internal and external citywide initiatives impacting residents and businesses, including the Winter 2022 opening of the Potomac Yard Metrorail station, the transformation of the 52-acre Landmark Mall site, and capital investments funded through the $59.6 million through the American Rescue Plan Act.
This position will be expected to learn about, be involved in, and engage with our City government, community and businesses. This includes developing and maintaining strong professional working relationships with department and agency directors, as well as community stakeholders including non - profit groups, faith - based organizations, and civic and special interest groups. This will be done through attending department events, city or neighborhood meetings, and representing or assisting at on - site City needs as requested.
Candidate Profile
The candidate will demonstrate accuracy, diplomacy, discernment, and effectiveness when developing and implementing public information and communications strategies for the news media, residents, the public, and employees.
The candidate will be a champion of inclusiveness and collaboration, supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in a complex, matrix organization. They will have experience engaging and communicating with hard-to-reach, diverse and under-represented communities, and constituencies.
The candidate will quickly become familiar with the wide variety of programs and services that City departments and agencies provide and will develop an understanding of the most important and complex issues currently facing the City.
The candidate will have knowledge of the social media landscape and experience using social platforms and digital content to tell stories and grow awareness of information, programs, and initiatives.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
A candidate will have at least a two-year college degree with major course work in public affairs, public policy, communications, or a related field; one to three years in communications, public affairs or public administration; or, a combination of experience and education in government affairs, community and public engagement; proven message development in a complex, dynamic communications environment involving public information, communications and/or public relations; ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure; and demonstrated experience in showing a high level of discretion and sensitivity when performing your work.
Preferred Qualifications
To be considered an ideal candidate, you will hold bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience of communications, media and public affairs; have a comprehensive knowledge of communications, media and public affairs; proven experience with communications content development, communications strategy, and multi-platform communications, including in languages other than English; experience communicating with the public and elected officials; thorough knowledge and understanding of local government; and an understanding of tactics, techniques, formats and platforms, and how to apply them in a municipal environment.
Position Profile
The City of Alexandria is known for the stories of its past; this position is an exciting opportunity to share the story of its present and set the stage for its future. Join us as we prepare to tell the evolving story of this 272-year-old community, named #3 Top Best Small City in the U.S. in 2021 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
The City of Alexandria is a diverse, energetic, caring community with a city government that reflects these values. Our goal is to reach people where they are , using strategies and tactics that address language access, the digital divide, and issues around social equity. The successful candidate will prioritize communication strategies which benefits all Alexandrians, specifically our hard-to-reach and underserved communities, as well as for those who work and visit our City.
The Strategic Communications Planner serves in the Office of Communications and Public Information, reporting on a day-to-day basis to the Strategic Communications Manager. This position will specialize in drafting communications strategies, focusing on priorities adopted annually which guide the City’s budget and policy frameworks. These include but aren’t limited to community engagement, economic development, and diverse housing opportunities.
This position will work to eliminate gaps in information dissemination, strengthen skills and relationships among City communicators, and execute policies, procedures, and standards for citywide messaging. This will be achieved serving as a liaison to City departments, meeting with Public Information Officers regularly to ensure transparent communications and a consistent narrative with the City’s goals and objectives in all aspects of communications to the public, employees, and the media.
Other responsibilities to achieve these goals include assisting with regular staff training of communications policies and procedures, management of department workplans and the citywide content calendar, and guiding on - time internal and external communications.
This role will assist high profile internal and external citywide initiatives impacting residents and businesses, including the Winter 2022 opening of the Potomac Yard Metrorail station, the transformation of the 52-acre Landmark Mall site, and capital investments funded through the $59.6 million through the American Rescue Plan Act.
This position will be expected to learn about, be involved in, and engage with our City government, community and businesses. This includes developing and maintaining strong professional working relationships with department and agency directors, as well as community stakeholders including non - profit groups, faith - based organizations, and civic and special interest groups. This will be done through attending department events, city or neighborhood meetings, and representing or assisting at on - site City needs as requested.
Candidate Profile
The candidate will demonstrate accuracy, diplomacy, discernment, and effectiveness when developing and implementing public information and communications strategies for the news media, residents, the public, and employees.
The candidate will be a champion of inclusiveness and collaboration, supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in a complex, matrix organization. They will have experience engaging and communicating with hard-to-reach, diverse and under-represented communities, and constituencies.
The candidate will quickly become familiar with the wide variety of programs and services that City departments and agencies provide and will develop an understanding of the most important and complex issues currently facing the City.
The candidate will have knowledge of the social media landscape and experience using social platforms and digital content to tell stories and grow awareness of information, programs, and initiatives.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
A candidate will have at least a two-year college degree with major course work in public affairs, public policy, communications, or a related field; one to three years in communications, public affairs or public administration; or, a combination of experience and education in government affairs, community and public engagement; proven message development in a complex, dynamic communications environment involving public information, communications and/or public relations; ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure; and demonstrated experience in showing a high level of discretion and sensitivity when performing your work.
Preferred Qualifications
To be considered an ideal candidate, you will hold bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience of communications, media and public affairs; have a comprehensive knowledge of communications, media and public affairs; proven experience with communications content development, communications strategy, and multi-platform communications, including in languages other than English; experience communicating with the public and elected officials; thorough knowledge and understanding of local government; and an understanding of tactics, techniques, formats and platforms, and how to apply them in a municipal environment.