Communications Director

LMNC•St. Paul, MN

About The Position

The Communications Director leads a creative team environment and is responsible for the League of Minnesota Cities’ wide array of external and internal communications strategies, programs and events. Serves as an active, contributing member of the League’s Leadership team to develop organization-wide strategy. Maintains strong, productive relationships with all departments, and partners to ensure communications strategies and procedures are aligned with business goals. The Communications Director upholds the organization’s reputation for excellence by ensuring timely development and distribution of accurate, engaging and relevant information to members, media outlets and employees in a manner reflecting the League’s high professional standards. This includes providing effective direction for marketing and communications projects, public relations efforts, electronic media initiatives. The Communications Director works closely with the government affairs team to ensure cohesive messaging and foster member interests at the Capitol.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications, English, or a related field.
Seven years of progressively responsible management experience in a position with a substantial governmental communications component.
Three years supervisory experience particularly experience supervising communications staff.
Possesses strong initiative and is results-oriented.
Excellent written and oral communication and project management skills.
Demonstrated creative abilities.
Proven effectiveness as a team member.
Understanding of city government governance, practices, and processes.
May require periodic travel within Minnesota and beyond.

Nice To Haves

Experience with municipal marketing and operations.
Experience with city government communications and operations.
Demonstrated effectiveness in marketing efforts resulting in positive budgetary or programmatic outcomes.
Master’s degree in communications, public relations, public administration, or related.

Responsibilities

Maintains strong, productive and cooperative relationships with other members of the Leadership Team to determine strategy and make decisions in the best interest of the organization.
Provides effective leadership and direction to functions and staff within span of control to ensure alignment with organizational, vision, strategy, values, and goals.
Ensures the department structure, services, and operations meet the needs of members.
Strives for continual improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
Provides creative input into positive problem-solving and idea generation among leadership.
Participates in professional organizations to foster personal growth and showcasing the active involvement of the League in the fields of communication and government services.
Provide effective leadership and supervision to direct reports including: Leads, supervises and develops staff in a manner that inspires professionalism, strong inter- and intradepartmental communication, team building and alignment with League values.
Motivates, develops and encourages staff in a collaborative and compelling manner to support the League and its objectives; demonstrates inspirational leadership, promotes collaboration at all levels and empowers staff to be innovative decision-makers.
Fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement, including fostering involvement in related professional associations for communicators and government services.
Provides effective management by appropriate supervision, delegation, coaching, and training.
Participates in professional organizations and implements best practices where appropriate.
Plans and executes day-to-day objectives establishing priorities in work assignments while balancing workload distribution and internal and external customer service needs.
Monitors performance and provides feedback through formal and informal performance management in a timely fashion.
Manages budgets and resources in a cost-effective manner and demonstrates an ability to be creative in maximizing available resources.
Serves as a counselor and advisor to key League staff, including the Executive Director and department directors, in developing strategies that present the League, the Insurance Trust, and its priorities and programs in the most accurate and positive light possible.
Generates effective external media coverage of the League, highlighting key priorities and initiatives of the League.
Responds to or coordinates appropriate and prompt response to media inquiries.
Assists news media with meetings, legislative priorities and policies, and other items of public interest, as well as monitors and submits corrections of inaccurate information as warranted.
Organizes and facilitates media events, press conferences, and public relations campaigns, and contributes to other special events.
Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.
Anticipates issues, identifies alternative courses of action and prepares proactive recommendations.
Develops strategy and leads the direction for communications program and plans that promote the vision, goals and positive image of the League, the Insurance Trust, and our members to the public, key stakeholders, the legislature, and governmental jurisdictions.
Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of communications service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and identifies opportunities for improvement.
Contributes ideas for new programs, researches and recommends innovative approaches and techniques.
Directs in-house and external graphic designers, photographers, and other media-production specialists integral to the completion of marketing projects.
Makes presentations to the League Board of Directors and advises the Boards on best practices.
Utilizes social media and web-based communications strategies and analytics.
Supports League leadership by developing talking points, letters, emails and advocacy pieces, or providing direction to staff.
Ensures marketing strategies are designed to engage member city officials more broadly and deeply in the League, ensuring the audience is aware of programs and services that could benefit them inspiring use.
Provides communication assistance to members in times of crisis.
Stays informed of development in the field of marketing and communications to foster ideas and innovation.
Promotes and guides cohesive organizational branding among all departments to ensure the League brand is used consistently and in accordance with brand guidelines.
Develops, recommends and implements a departmental budget that accurately projects expenses and revenues and supports departmental goals and League-wide strategic initiatives.
Supervises Digital & Publications Manager position, providing leadership and vision, ensuring all digital and print communication efforts align with the League’s strategic priorities and member needs.
Oversees the development, execution, and continuous improvement of digital publications, including the League’s website, social media content, and other digital communications.
Ensuring digital publications are engaging, accessible, and effectively reach target audiences.
Provides guidance on content strategy, branding, and messaging to maintain consistency and quality across all digital platforms.
Monitors analytics and engagement metrics to assess effectiveness and drive data-informed improvements.
Provides backup support either personally, or by assigning other staff.