Strategic Communications Manager

*This position is restricted to current City of Minneapolis employees.*

The mission of this position is to ensure effective, consistent, and highly integrated communication between the City of Minneapolis and its diverse communities, as well as its internal staff. This role exists to strategically plan and execute communication initiatives that promote the City's priorities, foster transparency, and build strong relationships with stakeholders. By leveraging the full range of available communication channels, the position informs and engages key audiences. It also serves to centralize and elevate strategic communications, ensuring cohesive messaging and efficient dissemination of information across platforms and departments throughout the City.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Strategic Communications Coordinators, fostering professional development and a collaborative team environment.
• Lead the development and execution of integrated communication strategies aligned with the City's strategic goals, in collaboration with City departments.
• Oversee the creation of comprehensive communication plans by identifying target audiences, defining key messages, selecting appropriate channels, and setting measurable objectives.
• Craft and refine key messages for major initiatives, announcements, and milestones that reinforce the City's core narrative and protect or enhance its reputation.
• Guide the development of high-quality, engaging content across platforms such as the City website, social media, newsletters, printed materials, and media relations, ensuring consistency in messaging and branding.
• Strategically engage diverse communities and stakeholders by developing inclusive communication strategies, fostering open dialogue, and identifying opportunities for public input and feedback.
• Collaborate with the Media Relations Manager to ensure consistent messaging and coordinated outreach to media outlets.
• Develop and manage internal communication strategies, including newsletters, to keep City employees informed and engaged.
• Establish and track metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, providing regular reports and using data to drive improvements.
• Support the Media Relations Manager, Digital Communications Manager, and Communications Director and Deputy Director in crisis communication efforts, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information to staff and the public.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE
Five to seven years of progressive work experience in the field of Communications in directly related work. Supervisory and/or management experience required.

EQUIVALENCY
An equivalent combination of education and highly related experience in a similar environment may be considered.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:
None.

SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

BACKGROUND CHECK:
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

UNION REPRESENTATION:
This position is not represented by a bargaining unit. Review Civil Service Rules here: https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/hr/civil-service-rules/.

ELIGIBLE LIST STATEMENT:
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire one (1) month after it has been established.

INTERVIEW SELECTION:
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

• Excellent writing and organizational skills.
• Broad experience across a wide range of communications functions.
• Knowledge of City government operations, policies, and procedures.
• Understanding of effective strategies for engaging diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with metrics and tools for tracking and analyzing communication effectiveness.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies for organizing and executing communication initiatives.
• Ability to present information clearly, persuasively, and appropriately for various audiences.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.