Deputy Director of Public Information

Mecklenburg County is seeking an innovative and enthusiastic individual who wants to make an impact on the County and our community. We are looking for someone passionate about developing winning strategies, leading successful teams and being a part of an organization dedicated to serving one of the fastest growing and dynamic counties in the nation.

Salary Range: $111,751 – $167,626

Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

Position Summary The Deputy Director of Public Information will work with the department director to develop and implement communications and marketing strategies and programs, as well as help manage the department, including budgeting, personnel management, and developing and implementing departmental policies and procedures.

This position will help oversee Mecklenburg County’s Public Information team to provide communications expertise and support to Mecklenburg County leaders and departments while working in a fast-paced, highly visible organization.

Communications support includes but is not limited to news media/public relations, crisis communications, social media strategy, marketing, digital strategies, content development, community engagement and video and photo production.

Essential Functions

• Support the administrative and operational functions of the Public Information Department.
• Supervise the internal and external communications division managers that includes, PIOs, web, production, marketing/branding/graphic design, strategic communications, social media and community relations, and provides oversight of their workflows, business goals and performance.
• Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities and directives.
• Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
• Deliver speeches, write articles, or present information at meetings or conventions to promote services, exchange ideas, or accomplish objectives.
• Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
• Serve as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations.
• Prepares a variety of communication materials (e.g., news releases, talking points, social media posts, video scripts, website content) to directly inform the community about County government news, including policy issues, special events, and County services and programs.
• Works closely with representatives of the media to ensure information is accurately and efficiently disseminated; identifies opportunities to strengthen and improve County communications
• In the absence of the Public Information Director, advises Board Members, County Administrative staff members, and other officials on media relations, procedures, and processes.
• Support coordination of various events such as press conferences and other County events.
• Responds to locally and politically sensitive issues and evaluates the impact of those issues on the County and the community.
• Serves as back-up to the Public Information Director.

Minimum Qualifications Experience: Minimum of eight years of experience with at least two years of supervisory experience.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or related field.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience working in a fast-paced, high-profile communications/news media/marketing environment, with at least five years successfully leading multiple teams.
• Experience working with and in news media at various levels and understanding how to respond to inquiries accurately and effectively in a timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Operations of various divisions of the Public Information Department.
• Principles and practices of public administration, budgeting and personnel management and supervision.
• Current trends at the state and federal level related to the public information services.

Skills

• Project management skills with the ability to multi-task and balance multiple priorities while maintaining a strict commitment to project timelines and excellence.
• Leading change initiatives, developing comprehensive strategies to accelerate employee adoption and ensuring seamless process transitions.
• Examine data to analyze new issues, draw conclusions and solve problems.

Abilities

• Leading through Vision and Values: Keeping the organization’s vision and values at the forefront of associate decision-making and action.
• Building Strategic Work Relationships: Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
• Aligning Performance for Success: Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.
• Strategic Decision Making: Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-range goal or vision; committing to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values.
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided.
• Organizational Skills: Navigate and respond to multiple competing priorities, delivering quality outcomes under strict deadlines.
• Accountability Establish high-quality standards for work, measure results and hold self and others accountable for making progress toward desired outcomes.
• Collaboration: Promotes cooperation among peers and builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect. Fosters the development of a common vision and fully participates in creating a unified leadership team.
• Problem Solving: Builds a logical approach to address problems or opportunities or manage the situation at hand by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

Computer Skills

Advanced use in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.

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