Communications and Media Partnerships Manager

Join Our Team | Are you a strategic communicator with a passion for promoting community engagement and enhancing organizational visibility? Look no further! We're seeking a dynamic individual to spearhead our city's public and media relations initiatives.

Under the supervision of the Sr. Operations & Partnerships Manager or City Administrator, plans, organizes, and manages the City's centralized public and media relations activities and oversees the City’s internal and external communications strategies.  This position also performs specialized work in content management, content preparation for distribution, marketing, brand management, and digital media integration to promote City programs and activities in alignment with the City's communication plan, strategic business plan, and City objectives.

Open until filled | First review of applicants will be on May 17, 2024

The City of Davenport offers a comprehensive benefit package.  The cost for a family plan for medical, dental, vision and prescription is only $98.61 per month for 2024 and starts on first day of employment. 
The City also offers:
 

• Iowa Public Employee’s Retirement Pension plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation – The City will contribute 5% of the employee’s income to his/her 457 account if the employee contributes at least 1% (applicable to non-bargaining, management exempt employees)
• 13 paid holidays
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Examples Of Duties

Manages communications processes within the City, including developing and implementing policies and procedures designed to improve communications systems within the City structure and more accurately and efficiently disseminate information to the public.

Consults with City staff to develop strategies and policies for communicating information to the media and the public to ensure accurate and timely responses to public inquiries and citizen concerns.

Provides day to day oversight of the City’s cross departmental communications team, ensuring alignment between departments and department adherence to the City’s communications strategy.

Proactively identifies evolving community issues; develops and manages comprehensive approaches and targeted communication plans to engage residents, businesses and community groups.

Designs communications campaigns to target specific audiences, placing an emphasis on campaign performance to help with recommendations for future programs.

Develops and implements targeted communications plans designed to improve communication systems within the City structure and more accurately and efficiently disseminate information to the public.

Plans, organizes and manages information dissemination, public relations activities, media relations and municipal communications including the management of the City of Davenport civic engagement platform.

Performs public relations/news dissemination functions, including preparing news releases, coordinating press inquiries, brochure development, conducting interviews, gathering information from individual City departments and coordinating special event media coverage.

Oversees all official branding and graphic design for the City including logos, publications, promotional materials, video production, advertisements and website content; develops, implements and maintains corporate graphic standards in accordance with City policies and practices.

Coordinate all aspects of City print and electronic publication to include, but not limited to designing, editing, printing and distribution of newsletters, annual reports, recreation guides, training manuals and other special publications.

Assist with emergency communications on an as needed basis providing support to the Davenport Fire, Police and Public Works Departments.

Perform as staff photographer at City events, ceremonies and other activities for use in all media formats and coordinate professional photography upon request.

Organize and maintain video and photographic archive.

Provide video and audio production for the City communication methods through recording, editing, and publication.

Assist with planning, logistics, coordination and execution of event day responsibilities for City events, ceremonies and other City activities.

Manages day-to-day social media efforts ensuring that all platforms have fresh, engaging content that is in line with the City’s brand and tone.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in journalism, communications, media studies, or related field; with four (4) or more years of professional experience in media, communications, or related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the required work in this position. 

Professional work experience to include, but not limited to: municipal government communications, traditional media, or related functions.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain throughout employment. 

Must pass a background check as prescribed by the City of Davenport. 

Knowledge and Skills

Comprehensive Knowledge in:
Current principles and practices involved with public affairs/ public relations, television production and broadcast, print journalism, employee communications, advertising, and web-based communication platforms.

News and print media operations and procedures.

Editing and news/print media reporting, writing, publication, marketing and promotion.

Collaborating and building strong internal and external partnerships.

Effective municipal publications. 

Transparency strategies and campaigns.

Principles and practices of public and community relations.

Considerable Knowledge in:
Web development principles and practices. 

Municipal reporting and outreach campaigns.

On camera interviewing.  

Proficient with desktop publishing software; including but not limited to Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, InDesign, and Illustrator.

Photography principles and practices.  

Ability to:
Ability to present information in public forums in a professional manner.

Ability to conduct or learn web development and video production tools and techniques.

Ability to write complex reports, news releases, newsletters, annual reports, and promotional material.

Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.

Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.