Communications Manager

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the operations and staff of the Communications division; plans, develops, and administers a comprehensive, citywide communications and public information program to enhance public awareness, engagement, and participation in City programs, services, projects, and initiatives; participates in the development of division-wide policies, procedures, and operational strategies, and provides complex and responsible subject-matter support to the Assistant City Manager; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct supervision over professional and technical staff. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the staff and operations of the Communications division. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. 

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Communication division; plans, implements, and maintains a strategic, coordinated communications program that supports City communications and outreach goals and initiatives; manages the City website, email outreach, social media platforms, government access television, city radio station, and special events.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees all City external communications and public relations activities, including planning, writing, editing, and distribution of press releases, public notices, informational materials, and digital content; ensures accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with the City’s brand and messaging standards.
• Manages the City’s official website and all social media platforms, including content strategy, editorial calendars, performance monitoring, and compliance with accessibility, public records, and transparency requirements.
• Serves as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO); responds to media inquiries, coordinates interviews, prepares statements and other external-facing communications; assists with crisis and emergency communications as needed; 
• Plans, directs, and manages the development and operation of government access television programming, including oversight of CTV (The Calabasas Channel), live and recorded programming, public service announcements, web streaming, video archives, and related production activities.
• Researches, writes, directs, and oversees multimedia content production, including video, audio, photography, graphic design, web content, and social media promotions.
• Oversees the City’s visual identity and branding standards and maintains an organized digital photo and media archive documenting City events and history.
• Oversees communications-related professional services contracts, including media and public information consultants; coordinates contractor work, reviews deliverables, monitors performance, and ensures services align with City objectives and contractual requirements.
• Serves as a liaison and represents the City with other City departments and divisions, commissions, committees, outside agencies, contractors, and task forces, as required.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Assistant City Manager; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of division operations and activities.
• Attends and participates in professional organizations and meetings; monitors changes in regulations, best practices, and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and practices of budget and contract development and administration.
• Principles, practices, and strategies of public sector communications, public relations, and community engagement.
• Modern methods of strategic communications planning, media relations, brand management, and public information dissemination.
• Website content management systems, social media platforms, email marketing tools, and digital analytics.
• Government access television operations, broadcast production, multimedia content creation, and live web streaming.
• Public Information Officer roles and responsibilities, including crisis and emergency communications.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. 
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Effectively serve as a spokesperson and media liaison, including handling sensitive or high-profile issues with professionalism and judgment.
• Write and edit a wide range of communications materials, including press releases, social media content, scripts, reports, and web content.
• Manage multiple communication channels and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high quality standards.
• Direct and evaluate multimedia production efforts, including video, audio, photography, and graphic design.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines. 
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field. 

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, media relations, or a closely related field, in a public sector, nonprofit, or comparable organizational environment.