Communications & Marketing Manager

City of Lake Forest•Lake Forest, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

At the City of Lake Forest, we’re more than just a local government — we’re a team of people passionate about making the community a better place to live, work, and thrive. Every day, we connect with residents, businesses, and visitors to share important information, celebrate our city’s successes, and promote civic pride. Under administration direction, the Communications and Marketing Manager plays a key leadership role in shaping how the community connects with the City. This position leads the Communications and Marketing Division and drives creative, strategic efforts that inform, inspire, and engage residents, businesses, and partners.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a closely related field and five years of increasingly responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing and management, and journalism including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Knowledge of operational characteristics, services and activities of a public relations program.
Knowledge of principles and practices of marketing, advertising, and public relations.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration.
Knowledge of organization and operation of municipal government.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation.
Knowledge of principles and practices of program development and administration.
Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs related to area of assignment.
Knowledge of principles and practices of contract negotiation, preparation and monitoring.
Knowledge of principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
Knowledge of techniques and formulae for administrative, financial, and comparative analyses.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of effective technical, administrative, and financial record keeping, report preparation, and presentation.
Knowledge of recent developments, research methods, and current literature in the field of public relations.
Knowledge of terminology used in area of assignment.
Knowledge of principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Knowledge of principles of business letter writing.
Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment including strong computer skills and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Knowledge of internet web site practices, methods and techniques.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of social media use.
Knowledge of principles, trends, methods, and techniques used in customer service, public relations, public information, and program education and promotion.
Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate a public relations program.
Ability to oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
Ability to select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Ability to design, coordinate, and implement an effective communications, marketing, and public relations program.
Ability to perform a full range of responsible and varied professional, analytical duties in providing responsible staff support to a City department.
Ability to oversee and participate in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures.
Ability to perform a range of professional analytical, programmatic, and administrative duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret varied information and data.
Ability to research, analyze, and formulate recommendations, work plans, and activities regarding planning, technical, and administrative issues.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to develop recommendations for problematic areas and implement and monitor changes.
Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications.
Ability to prepare clear and concise technical, administrative and financial reports.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate and concise tables, schedules, summaries and other materials in statistical and narrative form.
Ability to establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems.
Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and political acumen in dealing with sensitive political, public policy, and community situations.
Ability to research, negotiate, manage, and monitor contracts and agreements.
Ability to understand the organization and operation of the City, assigned program, and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Ability to understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to identify and respond to community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
Ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet critical deadlines.
Ability to organize and prioritize timelines and project schedules in an effective and timely manner.
Ability to participate in the preparation and administration of budgets.
Ability to operate office equipment including computers and various commercially packaged software including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics applications.
Ability to work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.
Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s Degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

Leads and manages all functions, policies, and projects within the Communications and Marketing Division.
Develops and delivers dynamic communication and marketing strategies that promote the City's mission, services, and achievements.
Creates and oversees engaging content across multiple platforms—web, print, video, and social media—to share the City’s story and connect with the community.
Builds strong relationships with media, community groups, and partner organizations to ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication.
Champions public engagement, ensuring residents have meaningful opportunities to learn about and participate in City initiatives.
Collaborates across departments to align messaging, support major projects, and promote key programs and events.
Advises senior leadership on communication strategy, public perception, and proactive messaging.
Promotes innovation and creativity in how the City communicates—using data, storytelling, and design to make information more accessible and impactful.
Assumes management responsibility for the services and activities of the Communications and Marketing Division including City communications, marketing, and community relations programs.
Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functions and program areas; researches, recommends, implements, and administers policies, procedures, and changing business practices and processes for assigned area; coordinates, structures, and oversees ongoing or special programs as assigned.
Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
Participates in the selection of Public Relations personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
Oversees and participates in the development and administration of Public Relations budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approve expenditures; implements adjustments.
Coordinates with City staff, departments and divisions to communicate and market City programs and services; recommends marketing and public relations strategies to City departments and divisions.
Oversees and directs in the production and distribution of various internal and external publications including newsletters, brochures, flyers, guides, and calendars; identifies topics, writes, edits, and designs publications; oversees topics, scripts, and production of City videos.
Administers and maintains the City’s website and social media accounts; distributes permissions to employees as appropriate; oversees the production of all written material and graphics posted on the City website and media accounts; develops, reviews, edits, and authorizes content.
Conducts difficult, and complex studies of new and existing programs and special projects; researches and analyzes organization structure, technical data, and fiscal impact to determine feasibility, resolve problems, and increase efficiency; consults with City personnel and outside agencies; develops recommendations; assists with the development of policies and procedures; participates in program implementation and monitoring activities; serves as project manager for assigned projects.
Manages the City’s “Ask Lake Forest” system to ensure customer service tickets are addressed accurately and timely; responds to tickets on behalf of City Council as necessary.
Monitors events/news surrounding issues important to the City and shares information with appropriate staff.
Manages operations and rentals for the City’s Performing Arts Center including marketing, venue, rental agreements with users, and coordination with facilities vendors; explores opportunities for new programs in the facility; manages part-time employees assigned to the facility.
Develops, implements, and administers advertising campaigns for City programs and services.
Composes press releases and communicates regularly with local media.
Prepares and presents comprehensive analytical and statistical reports that present and interpret data, identify alternatives, and present and justify conclusions, forecasts, and recommendations based on data summaries and other findings.
Resolves difficult, complex operational and administration issues; identifies issues and conducts research to find alternative solutions; makes and assists in the implementation of recommendations.
Plans, manages, and evaluates activities associated with difficult and complex contracts; researches and evaluates proposed contractual obligations and agreements; performs contract negotiations and administration; monitors compliance with applicable contractual agreements.
Provides assistance to management staff on difficult and complex matters; participates on and provides staff support to a variety of committees and boards; prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
Coordinates assigned services and project activities with other City programs, functions, boards, committees, and task forces as well as external organizations and agencies and the general public; coordinates with, interacts with, and shares knowledge, issues, and status with appropriate parties.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of communications and marketing.
Represents the City effectively in meetings with commissions, community groups, governmental bodies, the media, and the public; attends City Council meetings.
Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen complaints and inquiries.
Utilizes critical thinking skills through the use of logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Authors written materials, including staff reports, using a prescribed format and conforming to all rules, including punctuation, grammar, diction, and style; prepares staff reports on a variety of complex subjects for review by management staff and City Council.
Performs related duties as required.