Communications Manager

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Zebulon, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00116
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 03/14/2025
Closing Date: 4/5/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

Description

Join Team Zebulon

The Town of Zebulon values the individual talents and innovative ideas each team member brings to our community. As the "Town of Friendly People," we're seeking dedicated professionals to help shape our growing community.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance
• North Carolina state retirement benefits
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and most state holidays
• Support for continuing education and professional development

As one of the fastest-growing communities in the Triangle region, Zebulon offers unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Join our team where your contributions are valued, your growth is prioritized, and your work directly enhances the quality of life for our residents.

ANITICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $71,745 - $99,800

Detailed Work Activities
Under general direction of the Town Manager (or their designee), performs professional, technical, and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing the Town's comprehensive communications, public information, and community engagement programs. Develops and implements strategic communications, marketing initiatives, and public relations to promote Town services, programs, and activities to residents, businesses, visitors, and employees.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Communication Strategy and Implementation

• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive communications strategies and plans for the Town

• Directs the flow of information, promoting Town projects, initiatives, and events to the public and media via appropriate channels

• Monitors and evaluates communication effectiveness through data analytics, surveys, and direct feedback

• Provides communications counsel to Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Department Heads, and Town Board

• Establishes policies, standards, and guidelines for Town communications

Digital Communications Management

• Manages and maintains Town website content, ensuring information is accurate, relevant, and user-friendly

• Develops and implements content strategies across social media platforms to increase public awareness and engagement

• Coordinates with departments to ensure consistent messaging across all digital platforms

• Analyzes digital communication metrics to evaluate effectiveness and recommend improvements

• Trains departmental content editors on website updates and social media best practices

Media Relations and Public Information

• Serves as primary media contact and Town spokesperson

• Develops and maintains productive relationships with local, regional, and social media

• Prepares and distributes news releases, media advisories, and public service announcements

• Coordinates media coverage for Town events, programs, and initiatives

• Responds to media inquiries and arranges interviews with appropriate Town officials

Content Development and Production

• Creates, designs, and produces high-quality communication materials including newsletters, brochures, reports, presentations, and other publications

• Develops compelling visual content including graphics, photographs, and videos

• Ensures all materials adhere to Town branding standards and communication guidelines

• Coordinates and gathers information to produce internal and external newsletters

• Builds and maintains comprehensive photo and video archives

Community Engagement and Public Relations

• Facilitates public engagement initiatives to increase citizen participation and feedback

• Plans and implements public information campaigns for major Town initiatives

• Identifies trends in citizen interactions and develops targeted outreach strategies

• Manages Town email distribution lists and databases for effective communication

• Creates and maintains a database of citizen inquiries to identify informational needs

Event Planning and Coordination

• Oversees Town-sponsored events and coordinates with departments and external partners

• Chairs the events team and provides strategic direction for Town events

• Ensures proper promotion and coverage of Town events and programs

• Attends Town programs and events to gather content and information

Brand Management and Marketing

• Oversees consistent application of the Town brand across all platforms and materials

• Develops and implements marketing plans to promote Town services and programs

• Creates graphics and promotional materials that support Town initiatives

• Ensures professional appearance and consistent messaging across all communication channels

Other Duties

• Records official meetings as needed

• Provides training and guidance to staff on communication best practices

• Performs special projects as assigned by the Assistant Town Manager

• Performs other duties as required

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with this position. While this description is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, the Town reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or closely related field

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or related field, preferably in a governmental setting

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Special Requirements

• Valid North Carolina driver's license

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

• Experience with video production, graphic design, and photography preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of public relations, marketing, and communications

• Thorough knowledge of municipal government operations, functions, policies, and procedures

• Extensive knowledge of media relations, social media management, and digital communication strategies

• Advanced knowledge of writing styles including AP Style, with excellent editing and proofreading skills

• Proficiency with content management systems, graphic design software, video editing tools, and analytics platforms

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office products, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other specialized communication software

• Strong project management skills with ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences

• Ability to think strategically and creatively to develop innovative communication solutions

• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed

The Town of Zebulon is dedicated to providing unique benefits that meet the needs of our employees and their families. We offer the following benefits to all full-time permanent employees:

Please note that the following is only a summary of Town employee benefits and policies. For further details and additional information, please refer to the Town of Zebulon Personnel Administration Policy handbook or see Human Resources. This document does not constitute a guarantee of benefits.

Annual Leave:Vacation accrues as follows:

Vacation is accrued on the 2nd Payroll of each month. Employees hired on or before the 15th of the month accrue annual leave during that month. Employees hired after the 15th do not accrue annual leave for the month in which they are hired. Employees are not permitted to use their vacation time during their probationary period except when approved by the Town Manager. Employees are permitted to accumulate vacation time with no maximum throughout the year. However, all accumulated vacation time over 240 hours at the end of the calendar year will be transferred to your sick leave.

Sick Leave: All employees earn eight hours of sick leave each month. There is no maximum accumulation of sick leave. Any employee hired on or before the 15th of the month accrues sick leave during that month. Employees hired after the 15th do not accrue sick leave for the month in which they are hired.

Petty Leave: Each employee earns 14 hours of petty leave per year (1.17 hours per month). Petty leave may be taken by employees with the approval of their supervisor. Any amount after two hours will not be approved as petty leave. Petty leave lapses at the calendar year end.

Holidays: The Town follows the basic holidays that the State of NC follows, except we add the employees birthday as a holiday. Each employee receives 13 holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Birthday, Good Friday, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), Christmas (3 days), and Employee's Birthday.

Maternity/Paternity Leave: Maternity/Paternity leave is composed of approved paid and unpaid time away from work for pregnancy or placing of a child related reasons. A combination of compensatory time, sick, vacation, and leave without pay may be used during this time if the necessary requirements are met.

Bereavement Leave: Bereavement leave may be used to attend the funeral for a death in the employee's immediate family, but may not exceed three days for any one occurrence.

Civil Leave: An employee called for jury duty or as a court witness for the federal or state governments or subdivision thereof shall receive leave with pay for such duty during the required absence without charge to accumulated vacation or sick leave. Any court fees paid to the employee are allowed to be retained by the employee. While on civil leave, benefits and leave shall accrue as though on regular duty. Employees required to be in court for their own case, defendant or plaintiff, must use compensatory, petty or vacation leave.

Military Leave: Any employee who is a member of an Armed Forces Reserve Organization or the National Guard will be granted ten workdays per year for military training. This leave is not charged to annual leave; however, any salary payment that the employee receives from the military shall be deducted from the employee's regular salary paid by the Town.

FMLA Leave: Any employee eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act is eligible for 12-weeks of leave. FMLA leave will run concurrently with all workers compensation leave, short term disability, maternity and any other leave that qualifies. The employee is required to notify their supervisor and Human Resources of the need to be out on leave and must also provide Human Resources with the necessary documentation.

Social Security Deductions: Employees are covered under FICA (Federal Medicare and Social Security program). The FICA deduction is taken each pay period. The Town of Zebulon matches and contributes this amount to the Social Security Administration.

Workers' Compensations Salary Supplement: All full-time employees are covered by worker' compensation. Employees with a job-related injury are paid 66 percent of their salary from the Town via an independent workers' compensation insurance carrier. The employee may elect to use accumulated compensatory time, vacation or sick leave to augment workers' compensation pay.

Credit Union: Employees may join the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Federal Credit Union. For information contact the Credit Union at 919/269-5477 or refer to the NCLGFCU packet.

Health Insurance: The Town provides health insurance coverage for all full-time employees. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Spouse, dependent, or family coverage is also available. Employees are responsible for paying additional premiums for any dependent coverage. See your health care package for further details.

Dental Insurance: Dental insurance is provided for Town employees at no cost to the employee. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Spouse, dependent, and family coverage is also available. Employees are responsible for paying additional premiums for any dependent coverage. See your dental care package for further details.

Vision Insurance: Vision insurance is provided for Town employees at no cost to the employee. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Employee has the opportunity to purchase vision insurance for their family members.

Note: As part of the Town's cafeteria plan you may choose to not be carried under the Town health insurance plan, provided you can show proof of some other type of group health coverage. You also may opt out of the dental insurance plan. If you choose not to be carried under the plan, you may receive a portion of the premiums that would be paid if you selected to be covered under the Town's plan. Any opt out pay is determined by the Board of Commissioners.

Supplemental Insurance: Various supplemental insurance policies, including accident, cancer, and hospitalization insurance, are available through Colonial Life at the cost of the employee. See your Colonial Life packet for further details.

Disability Insurance: Full-time employees have short-term disability insurance provided by the Town of Zebulon. Disability Insurance pays an employee 66 percent of their weekly salary when supported by medical documentation of disability and department head verification of known disability. The employee may elect to use accumulated compensatory time, vacation or sick leave to augment disability pay. Disability insurance begins paying on the sixth workday of any disability and/or after all accrued vacation, compensation time and sick time is exhausted. Maximum duration of short-term disability leave is 26 weeks. The Town does not offer long-term disability.

Long Term Disability Insurance: Long Term Disability Insurance is available to employees at their own expense. This insurance is through Hartford Insurance.

Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D): The Town pays for employee individual term life insurance and AD&D at one time their annual salary. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Employees also have the opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for them self or their family members through Hartford Insurance. Employee is responsible for paying all premiums for family and additional coverage.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Employees have the opportunity (after six months of employment) to have amounts deducted from their pay pre-tax and placed in a flexible spending account. Please speak to the Finance Department staff if you have questions or are interested in participating in this program.

Death Benefit: An employee with one year of service time in the NC Local Governmental Employees Retirement System is covered by a death benefit paid to his or her beneficiary. It is equal to the employee highest 12-month salary not to exceed $150,000.

Retirement System/Deductions: All full-time employees are members of the State Retirement System. Police officers are members of the Local Law Enforcement Retirement System while other employees are members of the Local Government Retirement System. All Town full-time employees are required to contribute six percent of their salary to the retirement system and the Town contributes to the system based on rates determined by the state. Employees are vested after five years in the State Retirement System.

Supplement Retirement: The Town contributes additional retirement equal to five percent of the employee's salary to a supplemental plan for each full-time employee. All full-time employees are members of the Prudential NC 401(k) program. Employees are not required but also may contribute additional amounts to these plans, including a Roth 401(k) plan. See your Prudential handbook for further details.

NC529 Plan: Employees have the opportunity to have amounts deducted from their pay and sent to the College Foundation of NC National College Saving Program. Please refer to the College Foundation handout for more information.

COBRA: All full-time employees are covered under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, meaning that, upon leaving employment with the Town, they can continue to be covered under the Town's health and dental plans at their own cost.

THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY AND IN NO WAY CONSTITUTES A GUARANTEE OF BENEFITS TO BE OFFERED
01

Do you have experience in Communications or Public Information Officer positions?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid NC driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have any type of certifications? If so, please describe.
04

How many years of marketing experience (Ex: Email distribution, print material design, press releases, etc...) do you have?
05

How many years of experience managing multiple professional social media accounts do you have?
06

What do you see as the biggest communication challenges facing municipal governments today, and how would you address them in this role?
07

Describe how your educational background has prepared you to develop and implement effective communication strategies in a public sector environment.
08

How would you utilize a mix of traditional and digital communication channels to effectively reach a diverse range of residents within a municipality?
09

The hiring salary for the position is posted on the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate to maintain internal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question