Director of Communications

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here. Sarasota County is home to over 479,000 residents, 85,000 seasonal residents and visitors from around the world! As the Director of Communications, you will lead, develop, and implement a County-wide communications strategy for dissemination of information about County initiatives and activities to internal and external audiences. Collaboratively develop, maintain and promote the County’s brand. Responsibilities include overseeing internal and external messaging, managing public and media relations, leading crisis communication efforts, coordinating public records responses, guiding the creation of high-quality multimedia content across television, digital, and social media platforms, managing ACCESS TV, and the county 311 Contact Center and Welcome Center. This position will collaboratively work with senior leadership to develop and effectively disseminate external and internal communications. Works collaboratively and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with news media professionals as well as other agencies, boards, authorities, commissions and community groups. Reports to Assistant County Administrator. Key Responsibilities

Oversee the overall operations of communications; develop short- and long-term goals and objectives; establish, implement and manage the department’s budget and staffing plans in accordance with the county’s strategies. Manage three unique functional areas; the County 311 Contact Center, Public Information and Community Outreach, and Creative Services. Provide oversight and strategic direction to communication professionals embedded within County departments. Work with County Administration and departmental senior management to develop customer centric messaging through internal and external communications, community relations, media relations and other methods including social media strategies. Coordinate initiatives across the organization in collaboration with other department directors. Lead customer service initiatives and report performance measures on a regular basis. Serve as lead PIO during times of emergencies. Oversee responsive public records coordination in accordance with Florida Public Records laws. Manage proactive assessments of fraud awareness, prevention, detection and risk mitigation activities in area of responsibility; oversees financial, compliance, operational and performance audits; reviews audit findings and ensures appropriate controls are established and implemented. About You

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and ten years of professional experience in customer service, media relations, public administration, internal and external strategic communications and social media, including multiple years of supervisory experience. OR master’s degree and eight (8) years of experience, as described above. Preferred Qualifications: Extensive experience in government-based communications strategies. What We Offer

Starting Pay Range: $150,000.00 - $160,000.00, based on your experience. Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. EEO Statement

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance). Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

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