Communications & Engagement Manager

City of Monterey•Monterey, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The position is housed within the City Manager’s Office and operates under the administrative direction of the Assistant City Manager. It plays a critical strategic role in an organization and community that place a strong emphasis on high-quality, two-way communication with both internal and external audiences. The selected candidate will have direct access to senior leadership and will actively contribute as a member of the City’s decision-making team. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and applying strong, hands-on expertise in creating and delivering content across print, web, social media, and video platforms. The role may include supervising management, professional, technical, and clerical staff, as well as leading committees and cross-functional workgroups. Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities. Under general supervision of the Assistant City Manager, the Communications & Engagement Manager coordinates the development, implementation, and support of the City's community engagement, public, and internal communication efforts. Acting as a strategic guide and partner to all departments, the incumbent fosters a culture of transparency and accessibility by providing staff with the tools and guidance needed to uphold high communication standards and effectively tell the City’s story. The position works with subject-matter expert staff to disseminate complex, sensitive, and high-profile information regarding the city programs, projects, policies, initiatives, and events, as well as manages the City’s website, email marketing, unified graphics, and digital platforms with a focus on user experience. The position manages the City’s broad marketing programs and outreach efforts, utilizing creative outreach strategies to build authentic connections with diverse populations and traditionally underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the Communications & Engagement Manager is a core member of the City’s Emergency Management Team, ensuring that emergency communications are inclusive, accessible, and reach all members of the Monterey community. Additionally, the Communications & Engagement Manager supports the City’s legislative and intergovernmental advocacy, leveraging strategic communications to advance policy initiatives and support the City’s competitive position for grant funding.

Requirements

Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Journalism, or a closely related field.
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible public information, public affairs, or media relations experience.
At least one year of recent experience must have included management/supervisory experience.
Two years of experience of performing public relations in a public agency is highly desirable.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public relations, community outreach, and engagement.
Knowledge of RPIE (Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation) principles.
Knowledge of advanced principles of visual and narrative brand identity, strategic storytelling, and maintaining a unified corporate voice across all departments.
Knowledge of current media environment, including techniques for proactive journalistic pitching, press conference coordination, and methods to coach subject matter expert staff on responding to media inquiries.
Knowledge of principles of adult learning, mentorship, and internal communications required to train and empower subject-matter experts across various city departments.
Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal budget preparation, project management, and staff supervision.
Knowledge of principles of marketing, advertising campaign implementation, and multimedia content distribution (digital, print, and in-person).
Knowledge of political issues, community development issues, and legislative developments of importance to the community and City.
Knowledge of principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Knowledge of community surveys, basic research, analysis methodology, and assessment tools.
Knowledge of techniques for social listening, community issue identification, and proactive reputation stewardship.
Knowledge of best practices on how to reach historically marginalized and non-English speaking communities and methods to remove barriers to civic participation.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and industry-standard tools and techniques for graphic design, web design, and video/photo editing (still and moving images).
Knowledge of social media, web design, and graphic/visual presentation methods.
Knowledge of current and emerging communication platforms, including mass notification software, digital democracy platforms, and AI-driven engagement tools.
Knowledge of best practices for structuring and maintaining centralized digital asset libraries and brand style guides.
Knowledge of planning and preparing media releases, social media posts and other forms of communication.
Knowledge of requirements and specialized techniques applicable to various media used in publicity and promotion, including video and written media, artwork layout and report format; media advocacy.
Knowledge of emergency communications, including FEMA and Cal OES training principles.
Skill in translating complex, technical, or sensitive government policies into clear, accessible, and compelling narratives for diverse audiences, both orally and in writing.
Skill in exercising sound professional judgment and strategic foresight to navigate politically sensitive issues, crisis communications, and high-profile community initiatives.
Skill in fostering collaborative, high-trust relationships across all City departments; effectively coaching and guiding subject-matter experts to improve their public-facing communications.
Skill in working independently with minimal supervision.
Skill in leveraging modern digital tools, including social media platforms, web technologies, and data analytics, to maximize community reach and measure the impact of engagement efforts.
Skill in handling highly sensitive, confidential, and legally protected information with the utmost discretion, professionalism, and ethical integrity.
Skill in effective customer service techniques.
Ability to work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle to visit various meeting sites, reach, carry, push, pull, stoop, and bend.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in a relevant field is highly desirable but not required.
Two years of experience of performing public relations in a public agency is highly desirable.
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Develops, coordinates, and implements a variety of informational, educational, and outreach communication activities to community members and groups, other agencies, City Council, Boards and Commissions, and City staff, expanding beyond one-way notification to active participation and problem-solving.
Formulate and manage the City's communications programs and outreach materials in digital, print, and in-person tools.
Serves as an internal communications advisor and coach, developing and launching organizational toolkits that empower department subject-matter experts to communicate with clarity through media relations, digital communications, and in-person engagement.
Provides creative writing and designs and produces a variety of promotional materials to create public awareness of programs, services and activities.
Writes news releases, articles, social media and/or blog posts, prepares social media outreach, holds press conferences, coordinating media events.
Plan and participate in special events, briefings, and conferences.
Serves on the Communications Team as an initial point of contact, directing media inquiries to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, an appropriate Department Director, or City staff member.
Establish and maintain relations with the news media, including proactively pitching stories that highlight the City’s service delivery and programs.
Coordinate Sister City and related partnerships.
Leads and champions equitable engagement strategies, proactively reach marginalized communities and engage with non-English speaking communities to ensure representation and diversity in decision-making.
Implements social listening, social media monitoring, and reputation management strategies to identify community concerns, providing the City Manager and Assistant City Manager with real-time situational awareness to maintain public trust.
Conducts data analytics and performance metrics on a quarterly basis to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of communication efforts and campaigns, provide data-driven recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team and staff to increase community outreach.
Researches, deploys and maintains mass communication and community engagement software programs/platforms.
Coordinate the design and implementation of marketing and advertising campaigns to promote City services, activities, programs, and special events.
Conducts surveys and performs research and statistical analysis as required; prepare related reports.
Coordinate photo opportunities, photographs, still and moving images of the City, and develops and edits digital media for use in City publications and broadcasting.
Write, review, and distribute press releases, and articles, as needed.
Provide technical coordination for any City news conferences.
Edit and refine City Council staff reports to ensure high standards of readability and brand alignment, collaborating directly with subject matter experts across departments to streamline messaging.
Serve as the technical staff; as a graphic designer, web designer, web developer, and publications for print.
Guide and assist staff with writing, graphic design, video, or social media activities during peak workload periods through training and the use of a centralized digital asset library and brand style guide.
Serve as the digital accessibility expert, ensuring the City is doing everything possible to comply with the latest ADA digital accessibility guidelines and technical specifications.
Oversees the City’s visual and narrative brand identity, ensuring a unified and professional voice across all departmental channels.
Evaluates emerging communications technologies such as AI-driven engagement tools.
Manages program budget.
Supervises professional, technical, or part-time Communications staff, if applicable.
Supports the relationship between the City of Monterey and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
Performs other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.