Communications Manager

The Communications Manager serves as primary administrator and consultant for the city’s communication and public engagement initiatives with the goal of better informing and engaging the community about city government activities. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and continual improvement of communication policies, plans, and practices and will strive to ensure clear, and consistent communication between city government and residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. The position is responsible for timely distribution of information, increasing the reach of city channels and quality of content, supporting emergency and crisis communications; and managing media relations. The Communications Manager will foster positive relationships that improve communications with the community and community partners. This work is characterized by a high degree of self-direction, knowledge, judgement, and initiative.

This position will be posted until filled with a first review of applications on June 3, 2025.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all the following essential functions. These examples do not include all the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive and strategic communications plan for the city setting goals, objectives, policies, and procedures to keep the public informed of city programs, services, accomplishments, and other pertinent information.
• Provide leadership and overall direction to city staff and the internal City Communications committee to establish and maintain best practices and unified messaging; create yearly and monthly communication plans in coordination with the committee.
• Work closely with Sun Prairie Media Center to advance communication goals and policies. 
• Develop and produce content for distribution on the city’s communication channels
• Partner with departments to actively plan, design, and execute short- and long-term marketing and communications strategies across print, digital, and social media platforms for mass distribution regarding city operations, initiatives, programs, events, and emerging community issues.
• Builds relationships with community members and serves as liaison between the city and community-based agencies/groups, members of the local media, government officials, and other relevant organizations.
• Oversee and maintain the design and content of the city’s website and social media tools in coordination with other departments; serve as a central point person for the development, training, and utilization of the city's website and social media tools.
• Develop and lead assigned public engagement events as assigned, including the State of the City Address and townhall/focus group meetings.
• Work with staff to develop and execute proactive community outreach strategies for major city projects with a focus on inclusive community engagement.
• Works with the Emergency Management team to manage crisis communications.  Takes a lead role in communication and information distribution in emergency situations as an active member of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  May serve as an official public information officer (PIO) as needed.
• Oversee the development and distribution of press releases to media contacts, coordinate interviews, prepare spokespersons, and conduct media training.
• Act as a resource, and provide direction, guidance, and leadership to staff on communications and engagement; advise on communicating complex and sensitive concerns and issues.
• Foster a culture of respect and dignity within the organization and community.
• Provide customer service, ensuring prompt follow up of requests and questions from elected officials, media and community members; this position involves frequent internal and external contacts which require public relations skills in handling complaints. Contacts involve non-routine problems and require in-depth discussion and/or persuasion in order to resolve the problem. This position handles more difficult contacts that are referred by front line employees.

Other Job Functions

• Assist with all aspects of media relations, including preparing and training spokespersons and department representatives.
• Promote language access and assist in producing multi-lingual content for diverse audiences.
• May serve as spokesperson to media and external audiences.

Requirements of Work:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public administration, or a related field, or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience. Ideal candidate will have four to five years of full-time experience in a government, non-profit, or public sector setting.

Knowledge of:

• Local and state government operations, public administration, and public relations.
• Developing policies to align with organizational goals.
• Working with diverse populations with a high level of cultural competency.
• Political issues, community development issues, and legislative developments of importance to the community and city.
• Principles and practices of marketing, communications, and event planning.
• Methods for assessing communication effectiveness to revise policies and practices as needed

Ability to:

• Respond outside of normal business hours to create and distribute communications on behalf of the city.
• Interpret and simplify complex information for diverse audiences.
• Lead media relations and communication campaigns in complex and fast-moving environments.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, correspondence, policies, and other written materials.
• Work effectively under tight deadlines and manage projects independently as both a leader and member of a team with minimum supervision.
• Independently organize work, manage a high volume of tasks at one time, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Anticipate future trends to allow for proactive communications and engagement.
• Handle sensitive information and situations with tact, accuracy, and diplomacy.
• Effectively represent the department and the city in meetings with individuals, governmental agencies, community groups, and businesses.
• Analyze media coverage and maintain awareness on issues of relevance to the city, adapting to changing priorities and community needs.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with city staff, elected officials, members of the community, key partners and organizations, including the media.
• Attend city meetings and events as needed, which may include working evenings and weekend hours as needed.

Skill in:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, tailoring tone and content to diverse audiences.
• Project management, strategic planning, and research with a demonstrated ability in identifying and implementing solutions.
• Crisis communication and developing key messages quickly and accurately under pressure.
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and persuasion skills.
• A high level of discretion and sensitivity is required in performing the work.

• General computer use, MS Office applications, Mailchimp (or similar email marketing platform), Adobe Pro, Canva, and other interactive computer programs.