Director of Communications
Apply NowCompany: City of Minneapolis, MN
Location: Minneapolis, MN 55407
Description:
Salary: $153,484.00 - $181,945.00 Annually
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2025-00203
Department: Office of Public Service
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CAP
Position Description
The Director of Communications leads the Communications Department, which is tasked with all external and internal communications for the 17 City departments housed within The position also collaborates routinely on communications work with the Office of Community Safety, Office of City Attorney, Office of the Mayor, Office of City Clerk, and the Office of City Auditor.
The Director manages staff members who produce a wide range of internal and external written and digital communications products for the City and oversee media relations, strategic communications, social media, crisis communications, government access broadcasts and franchise negotiations, public access multimedia vendor, contracts and consumer complaint resolution.
The Director is responsible for developing and administering the Department's operating budget and executing the organization's overall communications strategy. The Director works across teams to advance priority initiatives including the City's cultural-media programming, Elections and Voter Services work, and paid marketing efforts. The Director will focus on the long-term vision and goals of the organization and how Communications can support those objectives.
This highly dynamic and strategic position is critical to Office of Public Service's mission to deliver high-quality programs, initiatives and services to employees, residents, businesses, and visitors in Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism or a closely related field.
Minimum Experience:
Five years experience directing a comprehensive communications program in a complex organization or eight to ten years experience in a large market media position with a strategic planning component, which has included budget and staff management.
Background Check:
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
Union Representation:
This position is not represented by a bargaining unit. This is an appointed position.
Interview Selection:
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
Benefits Summary
Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being. Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the
Insurance
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet and HealthPartners Medical Group First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.
Dental insurance
The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Life insurance
The city provides basic life insurance of one-times your annual salary up to $50,000. You can elect to purchase optional life insurance.
Benefits
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and
Paid parental leave
City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.
Appointed employees are provided with their choice of one of the following transportation options:
Learning and development
To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University, St. Catherine's, and St. Mary's University of Minnesota are available to City employees.
Other perks
Employees can also take advantage of flexible spending accounts, the , health club discounts and more.
01
How did you find out about this position? (Select all that apply)
02
Please specify where you heard about this position (e.g., website name, City of Minneapolis employee name, job fair, professional association).
Required Question
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2025-00203
Department: Office of Public Service
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CAP
Position Description
The Director of Communications leads the Communications Department, which is tasked with all external and internal communications for the 17 City departments housed within The position also collaborates routinely on communications work with the Office of Community Safety, Office of City Attorney, Office of the Mayor, Office of City Clerk, and the Office of City Auditor.
The Director manages staff members who produce a wide range of internal and external written and digital communications products for the City and oversee media relations, strategic communications, social media, crisis communications, government access broadcasts and franchise negotiations, public access multimedia vendor, contracts and consumer complaint resolution.
The Director is responsible for developing and administering the Department's operating budget and executing the organization's overall communications strategy. The Director works across teams to advance priority initiatives including the City's cultural-media programming, Elections and Voter Services work, and paid marketing efforts. The Director will focus on the long-term vision and goals of the organization and how Communications can support those objectives.
This highly dynamic and strategic position is critical to Office of Public Service's mission to deliver high-quality programs, initiatives and services to employees, residents, businesses, and visitors in Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead team of strategic communications and multimedia professionals.
- Provide direction and strategy for all communications programs and projects housed within the Office of Public Service to achieve major City goals.
- Guide and manage annual Communications Department editorial calendar coordinating timely and strategic delivery of priority announcements, messages, and storytelling.
- Guide media relations management to drive headlines, raise awareness around City initiatives, and deliver information to more Minneapolis residents, business owners, and visitors.
- Oversee digital communications, including citywide social media, e-newsletters, and website content, growing the reach of the City's digital platforms.
- Work with City leadership to ensure cohesion and coordination across the enterprise's communications function and continue managing operational changes enacted as part of the City's new government structure implementation.
- Develop, implement, and monitor performance metrics across media relations, digital platforms, multimedia services, and strategic communications efforts.
- Manage various public affairs vendor contracts, visual design and brand standards, social media policy, and multimedia services contracts.
- Lead crisis communications for the Office of Public Service; administer the City's Joint Information Center during emergencies alongside the communications team in the Office of Community Safety.
- Build communications plans with leaders across the City enterprise, including the Mayor's Office and the Office of Community Safety, Office of City Attorney, Office of City Clerk and Office of City Auditor.
- Provide executive communications support to the City Operations Officer and Deputy City Operations Officer for Communications & Engagement as needed.
- Manage government cable access and related activities, including consumer complaint resolution.
- Support multi-million-dollar franchise renewal negotiations.
- Plan and administer annual department budget.
Required Qualifications
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism or a closely related field.
Minimum Experience:
Five years experience directing a comprehensive communications program in a complex organization or eight to ten years experience in a large market media position with a strategic planning component, which has included budget and staff management.
Background Check:
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
Union Representation:
This position is not represented by a bargaining unit. This is an appointed position.
Interview Selection:
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of communications, media and public affairs with understanding of the most effective communications mediums and vehicles.
- Commitment to equity and language access in communication protocols.
- Considerable knowledge of public sector values and efforts to streamline and improve services.
- Experience in change management and organizational analysis.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Good knowledge of the internal workings or large complex municipal organizations.
- Experience managing a team of staff members in a political environment.
- Good critical thinking, problem solving, strategic analysis, and planning and implementation skills.
- Excellent leadership and personnel management skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Good budget management and organizational skills.
- Ability to persuade and influence to achieve desired outcomes and build support for
initiatives across departments, along with flexibility and strong work ethic.
As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
Benefits Summary
Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being. Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the
Insurance
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet and HealthPartners Medical Group First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.
Dental insurance
The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Life insurance
The city provides basic life insurance of one-times your annual salary up to $50,000. You can elect to purchase optional life insurance.
Benefits
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and
Paid parental leave
City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.
- Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
- Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Appointed employees are provided with their choice of one of the following transportation options:
- A paid parking space non-reserved parking space at the Federal Courthouse Ramp pr
- A Metropass which provides unlimited rides on metro-area buses and the light rail system.
Learning and development
To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University, St. Catherine's, and St. Mary's University of Minnesota are available to City employees.
Other perks
Employees can also take advantage of flexible spending accounts, the , health club discounts and more.
01
How did you find out about this position? (Select all that apply)
- Recruiter
- City of Minneapolis website
- City of Minneapolis employee
- City of Minneapolis job interest card
- City of Minneapolis Career Opportunities Bulletin
- Friend or family member
- League of Minnesota Cities website
- Diversityjobs.com website
- Governmentjobs.com website
- Indeed.com website
- Minnesotajobs.com website
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Website
- Other website
- Other social media site
- Newspaper
- Other media
- College or University
- Community organization
- Job Fair
- Professional association
- Site Visit
02
Please specify where you heard about this position (e.g., website name, City of Minneapolis employee name, job fair, professional association).
Required Question