Director of Communications

Salary: $50.08 - $75.12 Hourly
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00423
Department: Department of Neighborhoods
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: 4/29/2025 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
THE DEPARTMENT

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is responsible for strengthening Seattle by engaging all communities. Our purpose is to bring government closer to the residents of Seattle by engaging them in civic participation; empowering them to make positive contributions to their communities; and involving more of Seattle's Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in civic discussion, processes, and opportunities.

THE JOB

The Director of Communications leads all communications-related work for DON. This includes setting the tone, creating the communications strategy, and overseeing a wide variety of internal and external communications with a people-centered focus on equity, accessibility, and relatability, for DON as well as influencing and informing citywide communications and related policies.

Specifically, you will:

• Act as a spokesperson for the department and oversee all written, oral, and visual content for DON's digital platforms and social media, 14+ areas of service, community outreach and engagement, media communications, and requests from the Mayor's Office and other internal and external partners.
• Manage all communications-related programming for the department, including DON's community storytelling initiatives (involving 150 community members in the last 3 years).
• Serve on DON's Executive Team and act as key advisor to DON'S Director, providing technical expertise on all communications matters for the department and advising, shaping, and influencing policy, program, and budgeting decisions that impact the whole department.
• Lead a team comprised of two Senior Public Relations Specialists, providing them with mentorship, guidance and coaching by regularly monitoring performance, managing expectations, and engaging in clear and consistent communication.

Job Responsibilities
To thrive in this role, you are committed to:

• Ensuring that all communication strategies and deliverables for DON are accessible, relatable, centered in community, and driven by equity
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with community members and DON staff that organically grow into storytelling opportunities or connections to DON's areas of service
• Providing guidance and advice to DON leadership, staff, elected officials, and other City departments on all communications matters impacting DON
• Navigating political issues on behalf of DON and the City of Seattle as an influencer and advisor

To be successful in this job, you have demonstrated your:

• Commitment to social justice, equity, and supporting the power of communities to forge their own solutions
• Communications project management, advising, planning, and implementation skills, directing and producing work for a variety of internal and external audiences, while anticipating and creating content to meet future needs
• Branding and messaging skills on behalf of your organization/customers
• Organization and prioritization skills and ability to plan for and meet tight and changing deadlines in a fast pace environment
• Relationship building, collaboration, and engagement skills with colleagues, city partners, community members, media, and vendors
• Team management and development capabilities

To be effective in this job, you:

• Are creative and invested in finding new ways to reach and empower community members to tell their own stories
• Inspire trust in team members, city staff, and community
• Are a leader focused on developing communication practices and policies that center the needs and lived experiences of communities with a history of harm, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, immigrants, and refugees

Qualifications
A successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to building and implementing communications using an equity lens that is culturally responsive. This experience should be complemented by demonstrated ability in most of the following areas:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling messages and present them effectively to diverse audiences.
• Cross-cultural communication and content development that allows you to understand and navigate diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and communication styles to foster effective interactions and build relationships.
• Familiarity with language and accessibility best practices.
• Project management oversight, delegation, and communication
• Strong people management skills with the ability to lead, coach, and cultivate teams to achieve goals and outcomes.
• Experience in media relations, including writing and distributing press releases and acting as a spokesperson for an organization.
• Working successfully within a large, matrixed organization.
• Working in a diverse, fast-paced, political environment.
• Experience working with and supporting executive leadership.

Additional Information
This position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, Customer Service, Public Information, and Promotion. The full pay range for this broadband position is $50.08 - $75.12. For internal equity our target salary is $65 - $68/hour.
This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management. Based on events and customer service needs, work on weekends may be required.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
To be considered for this role, please complete the online application fully and attach:

• A current resume
• A cover letter that explains your interest in this job and work you have done that is most aligned with this job and the Department of Neighborhoods

Here is a resource for Application and Interviewing tips with the City of Seattle.

Why work at the City?

The recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Office of Housing encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov for questions or to request accommodations.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01

Much of DON's work centers on ensuring that historically harmed and underserved communities have a voice and representation in city projects and programs. In your own words, how has your previous work contributed to this?
02

In your own words, give an example of a successful communication strategy that you led, and describe the goals and impact.
03

In your own words, describe your leadership style and how you have motivated and managed a team.
Required Question