Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Cary, NC
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 27-02719
Department: Communications
Opening Date: 11/12/2026
Closing Date: 12/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
DescriptionCOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORThe Communications Director will serve as the Town of Cary's lead communications staff member and provide leadership and executive oversight for the soon-to-be reestablished Cary Communications Department. The new Communications Department will bring together Cary's Marketing division, 311 operations, and internal communications efforts with a unified, effective structure. The right candidate thinks strategically and practically about how communication shapes public trust, organizational alignment, and community engagement. They translate Council, executive, and operational priorities into unified strategies that reach residents, businesses, visitors, employees, and the media with clarity and consistency. They advise executive leadership with confidence and political acumen, navigate complex issues with sound judgment, mobilize coordinated communications response to crises, and adjust the systems that allow the entire organization to effectively communicate day-to-day operations. Building on the strengths of existing staff and functions, they are motivated by the opportunity to lead a high-performing team that tells Cary's story with excellence.
We're seeking an experienced communications leader to guide Cary's Communications Department into its next chapter. If this aligns with your goals, we encourage you to apply.
PLEASE ATTACH AN UPDATED RESUME TO THIS APPLICATION. Typical Tasks Lead communications strategy- Collaboratively develop and implement Cary's unified internal and external communications in alignment with Council, executive, and operational priorities and direction.
- Serve as Cary's lead communications advisor to executive leadership and departments on strategic messaging, public engagement, issues management, and reputational risk.
- Provide guidance on public information, educational, promotional, and engagement campaigns.
Advise and counsel- Serve as lead advisor for Town Manager's Office communications, including remarks, presentations, reports, interviews, and key messages.
- Support effective communications and oversight for high-profile initiatives, announcements, and signature events, including collaboration and coordination with the Town Clerk's Office.
- Advise on and participate in crisis communications and emergency response, including collaboration with lead public safety staff members.
Direct media relations and public engagement- Direct Cary's media relations program, including media strategy, relationship management, news conferences, media advisories, news releases, and spokesperson preparation.
- Oversee organizational media training and ensure designated spokespersons are prepared for public and media engagement.
- Provide strategic oversight on major marketing and promotional campaigns that attract tourism, visitors, business investment, entertainment, sporting events, and economic development.
Engage and analyze- Oversee Cary's centralized non-emergency communications hub (311) and primary communications channels such as the Town's websites, social media accounts, and government access channel, Cary TV 11.
- Direct communications analytics, performance reporting, sentiment monitoring, and audience insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
Guide and align- Update/Establish communications governance, policies, standards, tools, and training programs that support consistent and effective communication across departments.
- Foster internal organizational communications that keep staff informed, aligned, and equipped with the knowledge and context they need to serve the community effectively.
Lead and develop the team- Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate Communications Department staff; foster a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.
- Partner across departments to guide communication planning, establish standards, and ensure communications are aligned, measurable, and effective.
- Supervise departmental operations, personnel, budget development, vendor and contract management, and cross-functional coordination to ensure high-quality service delivery.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public relations and journalistic composition.
- Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, values, and goals of the Town.
- Thorough knowledge of relevant state laws including but not limited to open meetings, public records, and personnel topics, and regulatory communications requirements.
- Considerable knowledge of marketing principles and how to apply them to generate the highest possible return on investment.
- Considerable knowledge of the requirements, policies, and procedures of different types of news media outlets.
- General knowledge of state and federal laws regarding speech, copyright, trademark, and defamation.
- High competency in common communications channels and strategic thinking in how to activate them to achieve specific results.
- Advanced skills in written composition.
- General knowledge of principles of audio and video production; general knowledge of principles of statistically valid research and ability to interpret results.
- Ability to compile, organize, and analyze data and other information and present in a concise format.
- Advanced skills in public speaking and the ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations in formal environments to groups such as Council, large audiences, and the media.
- Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Familiarity with emerging communication technologies and how to leverage for maximum effectiveness.
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing or related field. Master's degree or post-baccalaureate certifications in a related field is preferred.
Completed Coursework:
- FEMA Independent Study (IS) Courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, IS-42
- FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Course: E0105
Experience:
- Extensive experience working in communications or a related field proactively planning for and responding to complex issues.
- Considerable supervisory experience.
- Considerable experience in developing and executing paid marketing strategies.
- Experience overseeing crisis communications during an emergency such as serving as the Public Information Officer in an Emergency Operations Center.
Conditions of employmentRequires successful completion of drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification, and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks before employment.
Regular Full-Time EmployeesCary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.
Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits.
All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employee's hire date.
01
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?
02
Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or a related field?Note: All education detail should be found in the education section of your application, including your degree type.
03
Do you possess a master's degree or post-baccalaureate certification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field?Note: All education detail should be found in the education section of your application, including your degree type.
- Master's degree in a related field
- Post-baccalaureate certification(s) in a related field
- Neither
04
How many years of progressively responsible professional experience do you have in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, including proactively planning for and responding to complex issues?Note: Details must be included in the work experience section of your application.
- Less than 5 years
- 5-7 years
- 8-10 years
- 11-15 years
- More than 15 years
05
What is the largest number of direct reports you've been directly responsible for supervising at one time?
- No previous supervision
- 1 - 5 employees
- 6 - 10 employees
- 11 or more employees
06
Which of the following best describes your experience overseeing crisis communications or emergency public information efforts?
- No direct experience in crisis communications
- Supported crisis communications efforts under the direction of others
- Led communications activities during a significant incident or organizational crisis
- Served as a Public Information Officer (PIO) or equivalent lead communications role during an emergency
- Directed crisis communications strategy and coordinated communications across multiple departm
