Communications Director

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

This position is responsible for accurately communicating community safety information, often of an emergency nature, in a timely fashion, no matter the day or time, on behalf of the City of Minneapolis. The position works closely with the OPS Director of Communications, the Mayor's Office, all five OCS Departments, and external partner agencies locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally.

This position directs media relations related to law enforcement and community safety incidents and handles sensitive and confidential information, including non-public data. The position will also serve as the City's lead PIO for emergency incidents involving OCS departments.

• Develop, and implement a proactive community safety communications plan for the City.
• Strategically build media/brand presence for the new Office of Community Safety, especially concerning the City's other communications elements.
• Establish, and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, statewide, and national print, broadcast, and digital media outlets and reporters.
• Oversee crisis communications planning and implementation for community response in City.
• Plan and manage internal and external media-related community safety incidents and events, including news conferences, interviews, and community forums that support the City's community safety communications plan.
• Represent the office as/where appropriate with City elected officials, appointed officials, and officials from other public-private agencies.
• Direct the City's community safety communications response by developing and editing message content, including news releases, advisories, talking points, public statements, and social media content that supports the public safety communications plan.
• Media training/coaching/direction of civilian and sworn officials (including Chief and Command Staff) to deliver community safety messages during critical incidents where community safety is at stake.
• Supervise, and direct PIO and communications staff if assigned, including the development of work assignments, resolving problems, and review/approval of work assignments.
• Coordination of communications efforts across multiple departments internal to the City (Mayor's office, OCS departments, and other departments/divisions involved in community safety efforts) as well as external stakeholder audiences and partner jurisdictions (SPPD, HCSO, DPS, etc.)
• Serve as Lead PIO for OCS

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism. Public Relations, Social Science or related.

Minimum Experience:

At least five years of experience as a communications director or lead public information officer (PIO), ideally in law enforcement or criminal justice work, with significant market media experience (journalist, reporter, or equivalent).

Licenses/Certification:

Ability to obtain a security clearance and pass a criminal background check. Driver's License.

• Ability to deal with highly confidential police and public safety information, including legal matters and non-public data.
• Working knowledge of MN Data Practices laws. Access to police information and public safety data (public and private data).

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.