Director, Communications

Salary: $151,878.30 - $227,817.45 Annually
Location : City Hall 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Communications
MUNIS- Org Description: Communications
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Arizona
Hours per Week: 40

Description

Salary:This position is a Grade 506 with an annual salary between $151,878 - $227,817.About the Role:
The Communications Director plans, organizes, and directs the activities, programs, and staff of the Communications Department. Serves as the City's Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary media contact.
The ideal candidate for the role will have a Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public administration, or a related field and seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, including three years of management or supervisory experience.
Benefits:

Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave:
Regular status position's offer:

• The City of Glendale observes 10.5 holidays per year, and full-time employees are also granted an additional 12 hours of holiday special leave per calendar year to celebrate their cultural or religious holidays.
• Vacation leave accrues at 5.33 hours per pay period (138 hours per year), and increases to 6.12 hours after 5 years, and to 7.6 hours after 10 years of service.
• Sick leave accrues at 4.4 hours per pay period (114 hours per year).

Retirement:

• This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Contribution is mandatory, and the current contribution rate is 11.98%.

Essential Functions

1. Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the activities, budget, and personnel of the Communications Department; establishes strategic goals, service standards, and performance expectations.
2. Develops and implements the citywide communications strategic plan; aligns priorities, resources, and messaging with City leadership goals and organizational needs.
3. Advises the City Manager, elected officials, and department leadership on public information, community engagement, and communications strategies for proposed policies, programs, and major initiatives.
4. Drives citywide communications enhancements by evaluating departmental structure, staffing capabilities, technology, and work processes to strengthen service delivery and accountability.
5. Directs the consistent application of City branding, core messaging, and visual identity across all departments, facilities, digital platforms, and marketing collateral.
6. Directs all media relations, press conferences, and proactive story development; serves as a primary spokesperson and prepares designated staff for media interviews.
7. Leads crisis management communications; serves as the official Public Information Officer (PIO) in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and maintains emergency communications plans and protocols.
8. Directs digital content strategy, including the City website, social media channels, video production, graphic design, and publication management in coordination with Information Technology.
9. Directs internal communications strategies in partnership with Administration and Human Resources to inform employees of City priorities, policies, and organizational updates.
10. Oversees community outreach strategies and public participation initiatives to ensure accessible, transparent communication and meaningful community feedback loops.
11. Directs audience research, analytics, and performance measurement to evaluate campaign reach, public perception, and engagement effectiveness, adjusting strategies accordingly.
12. Establishes a coordinated network of department communications liaisons; provides training, toolkits, and guidelines to support citywide compliance with media protocols.
13. Oversees communications support and media coverage for major civic events, ribbon cuttings, and groundbreakings; prepares speeches, presentations, and talking points for executive leadership.
14. Oversees daily project workflow, editorial calendars, vendor/consultant contracts, language access standards, and public records compliance in coordination with appropriate departments.
15. Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with elected officials, regional partners, business leaders, news media, and community organizations.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors
Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public administration, or a related field and seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, including three years of management or supervisory experience.

Experience leading communications across multiple departments or business units, directing organizational improvements, and advising executive leadership is preferred. Experience in municipal government or another complex public service organization is desirable.
Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of strategic communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, and public information
• Municipal government operations and the respective roles of elected officials, executive management, and staff
• Brand management, audience research, community engagement, and internal communications
• Media relations procedures, news release standards, crisis communications and emergency public information coordination, including the City's Media Relations Policy and Emergency Operations Plan
• Digital communications, website content strategy, social media, visual storytelling, and content production
• Communications measurement, research methods, and use of data to evaluate program effectiveness
• Principles and practices of organizational development, employee supervision, evaluation, and training
• Budget development, contract administration, project management, and customer service
• Accessibility, language access, public records, and other requirements applicable to government communications

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and direct comprehensive communications programs and the work of multiple program areas
• Develop and implement communications strategies that connect organizational goals with audience needs
• Lead organizational change, clarify responsibilities, and build cooperation across departments
• Exercise initiative, anticipate needs, and follow through on commitments while managing competing priorities
• Listen to differing perspectives, seek and apply feedback, acknowledge mistakes, and recognize the contributions of others
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and political sensitivity; adapt communication to the audience and handle disagreement constructively
• Facilitate media access to knowledgeable staff, prepare employees for interviews and coordinate timely responses consistent with City policy
• Translate complex or sensitive issues into accurate, clear and understandable information; exercise discretion in personnel matters and observe policy limits on discussing employee discipline with the media
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including under pressure
• Evaluate communications results and recommend practical improvements
• Develop employees, delegate effectively, and hold staff accountable for results
• Prepare and administer budgets and direct consultants and vendors

Special Requirements:

• Availability to respond to communications needs outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends and emergencies; ensures a City PIO can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Success Factor Classification Level - Executive

To view the success factor definitions please click here. (If needed, click here to download PDF reader).
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
Office setting. Work may include attendance at public meetings, community events and emergency response locations.
Benefit information is outlined here:
01

I understand that my work experience must be in the body of this application and that "see resume" is grounds for disqualification from further consideration. Furthermore, I verify that the information I have provided on this application is accurate, and that any answers I provide to the following questions are also reflected in the Work Experience section of my application. I understand that the responses I provide will be verified through the recruitment process and any misstatement of material facts will be grounds for disqualification from further consideration.

• Yes
• No

02

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public administration, or a related field and seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, including three years of management or supervisory experience. Any equivalent combination of experience and education which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is considered as qualifying. Do you possess at least a total of eleven (11) years of qualified experience or work and education combination thereof and three (3) years of management or supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

03

How many years of experience do you have leading communications functions across multiple departments, divisions, or business units within a government agency or similarly complex organization?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

04

How many years of experience do you have developing organizational communication strategies and advising executive leadership or elected officials on complex or sensitive communications matters?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

05

How many years of experience do you have serving as an organizational spokesperson, managing media relations, preparing individuals for media interviews, or coordinating crisis and emergency communications?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1- 3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

06

How many years of experience do you have overseeing digital communications, including websites, social media, video production, publications, and organizational branding?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

07

How many years of experience do you have developing internal employee communications, preparing executive speeches or presentations, and coordinating organizational or community events?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

08

How many years of experience do you have developing public outreach and community engagement strategies, including evaluating audience feedback or analytics to improve communication effectiveness?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

09

How many years of experience do you have managing communications projects, editorial calendars, vendors, and operational processes involving public records, media protocols, or language accessibility?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

10

Which of the following best describes your professional knowledge of the City of Glendale, Arizona, and the surrounding West Valley communities?

• No familiarity with Glendale or the West Valley
• General familiarity with Glendale and the West Valley
• Professional experience working with organizations or communities in the West Valley
• Professional experience supporting public communications, community engagement, or government operations in Glendale or the West Valley
• Extensive professional experience developing or leading communications initiatives directly involving Glendale or West Valley communities

Required Question