Director of Communications

Job Description

The Director of Communications provides strategic leadership and direction for all internal and external communications and marketing for the Department. This role is responsible for shaping the Department’s and leadership’s public image, overseeing brand consistency, and developing comprehensive communication and marketing strategies that advance organizational goals, inform the public, and build trust in government initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled and creative writer who can craft anything from a press release to a long-form thought leadership piece with ease and confidence. Additionally, candidates should thrive at media relations and developing and executing successful strategic communications and public affairs strategies and have a track record of landing impactful media stories. We are looking for a self-starter that has managed both traditional and digital-focused communications, media relations, and public affairs efforts. The ideal candidate for this position will be creative, proactive, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy aligned with the department’s mission, policy priorities, and stakeholder needs.
• Advise executive leadership and senior officials on messaging, public engagement, and reputation management.
• Oversee crisis communications planning and rapid-response protocols.
• Ensure alignment across all communications, marketing, and outreach activities.
• Develop and execute strategic media relations, and public affairs strategies. 

Marketing and Brand Management

• Lead the development and execution of marketing campaigns to promote programs, services, and initiatives.
• Oversee the creation and enforcement of brand and visual identity guidelines for consistent public presentation.
• Utilize data and analytics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and guide future marketing efforts.
• Serve as primary media contact and spokesperson for the department.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, stakeholders, and community organizations.
• Oversee press releases, media advisories, speeches, and briefing materials for leadership.
• Coordinate press conferences, public announcements, and outreach events.

Media & Internal Communications

• Serve as primary media contact and spokesperson for the department.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, stakeholders, and community organizations.
• Actively pitch and secure top tier media coverage for leadership.
• Oversee press releases, media advisories, speeches, and briefing materials for leadership.
• Coordinate press conferences, public announcements, and outreach events.
• Guide messaging for internal audiences to promote transparency, employee engagement, and alignment with organizational goals.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or related field; AND
 

Experience: 8 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, or public affairs, or related major functional area, of which 3 years must include experience supervising professionals.

Substitutions:

• Advance degree may substitute one year of experience.
• Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years).

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Juris Doctorate and/or advanced degrees in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or related field.
• Professional experience in government, public sector, or large nonprofit communications strongly preferred.
• Professional management or leadership experience within a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, show initiative, and respond effectively to direction and feedback.
• Computer proficiency including, but not limited to, G Suite, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to work outside normal office hours as needed.
• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic communications, marketing, and media relations in a public service environment.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage integrated communication and marketing campaigns.
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and budgets.
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive environments using sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

Condition of Employment: Security Clearance: Candidates for employment with the District Attorney’s Office must obtain and maintain DOJ/FBI Live Scan security clearance to access criminal justice systems and information. Failure to obtain or maintain the required security clearance may result in disqualification from employment or separation from the District Attorney’s Office.

Additional Information

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.