Police Communications Manager

City of Wilmington•Wilmington, NC

About The Position

The City of Wilmington is seeking a Police Department Communications Manager to oversee the department’s comprehensive communications program. The manager develops and implements strategic internal and external communications that advance organizational priorities, promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and help the public understand the department’s mission and services. The role serves as a trusted communications advisor to the Chief of Police and executive leadership, leads media relations and crisis communications, and fosters community engagement. In partnership with the City’s Office of Communications, the manager helps ensure communications are clear, consistent, and timely, particularly during critical events. The position leads and develops civilian and sworn public information staff; establishes communication policies and campaigns; directs multimedia communications; advises leadership during emergencies and high-profile events; oversees daily public information operations; supports executive communications; and evaluates program performance. The position also requires occasional field work and travel, and may involve evening, weekend, or holiday work when departmental activities require it.

Requirements

Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, digital media, or a related field, and two years of progressively responsible experience in local government, program management, communications, or a related field, including supervisory or lead experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields and four years of progressively responsible experience in local government, complex program management, communications, or a related field, including supervisory or lead experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
U.S. driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Ability to work effectively with the public, coworkers, and interdepartmental teams.
Strong project and program management skills.
Experience with municipal operations.
Ability to understand complex instructions and work independently.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, and customer-service skills.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with businesses, community groups, contractors, event organizers, City staff, and regional partners.
Ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and make recommendations to the department director.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when required by departmental activities.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, manage performance, and support professional development for civilian and sworn public information staff.
Provide instruction and guidance to department staff and participate in administrative strategy meetings.
Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, community organizations, government partners, and public information professionals.
Develop and manage communications policies, standards, and protocols aligned with citywide practices.
Design and execute integrated campaigns supporting crime prevention, public safety education, community engagement, recruitment, organizational initiatives, traffic safety, and internal communications.
Direct multimedia communications, including video production, digital storytelling, social media, websites, and other platforms.
Evaluate emerging communications technologies and trends to strengthen outreach and organizational effectiveness.
Advise executive leadership on communications during critical incidents, emergencies, major investigations, and other high-profile events, balancing timely and transparent information with operational and legal constraints.
Ensure compliance with state and national accreditation standards and City public information procedures.
Oversee daily department communications operations, including preparing and distributing information, responding to media and citizen inquiries, and coordinating releases with departmental units.
Provide on-scene public information support during police events of community concern.
Monitor media coverage, digital conversations, social media trends, public sentiment, and emerging issues to identify outreach opportunities, address misinformation, and inform strategy.
Serve as executive communications advisor to the Chief of Police and command staff.
Develop speeches, presentations, correspondence, talking points, reports, opinion pieces, video messages, and other executive communications.
Coach department leadership for media interactions and manage requests for leadership participation in public appearances, productions, and community events.
Assess communications program effectiveness using analytics, media monitoring, audience engagement, and performance metrics.
Use data and emerging trends to refine communications strategies and improve public outreach.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus other insurance options.
Retirement benefits, including a City-provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment in the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System.
Employer-paid health and wellness clinic.
Free on-site City gym access.
Paid sick and vacation leave and 13 paid holidays per year.
Six weeks of paid parental leave.
Paid volunteer and blood donation leave.
Flexible schedule and telework availability, depending on position.
Professional development trainings and leadership initiatives.
Tuition assistance benefits.