Communications Director

Company Description A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you're interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here. What we offer Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs. Benefits - We care about your well-being. Agency Description Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad represents the City of Philadelphia as an at-large council member. Her term began in January of 2024 - since then, Councilmember Ahmad and her team have worked to address major issues in Philadelphia such as maternal health care, human trafficking and threats facing the environmental and economic wellbeing of Philadelphians. Councilmember Ahmad's office currently has an opening for the Communications Director position. Job Description The Communications Director will join a diverse and talented team to help Councilmember Ahmad achieve her goals of helping the City of Philadelphia to become a more equitable, transparent, data-driven government that is responsive to the needs of the people by working with team members, community members, City Council, the City administration, and other stakeholders to improve the lives of residents throughout the City of Philadelphia. This position will execute a communications plan to amplify the Councilmember's work and to better connect her with her constituents in Philadelphia. Candidates must be proactive and should be familiar with the Councilmember's voice. This is not an entry-level position. Only candidates with prior communications experience will be considered. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with the Councilmember. Oversee the creation of high-quality content for various channels, including social media, website, press releases, and newsletters. Establish and maintain relationships with local, state, and national media Pitch reporters and producers on newsworthy stories Respond to press inquires related to the Councilmember's work Work closely with the legislative team on public awareness of the Councilmember's work in City Council Work closely with the outreach team on community outreach and events Write and strategically place op-eds on behalf of the Councilmember Write talking points for the Councilmember's public appearances Manage social media accounts on behalf of the Councilmember Monitor mentions of the Councilmember in the news Create TV, radio, print, and web opportunities for the Councilmember to engage Develop and executive press events and town halls SKILLS AND ABILITIES Demonstrated skills and expertise in social marketing Familiarity in pitching reporters and producers Baseline understanding on the legislative process in City Council Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Be resourceful, innovative and have strong constituent service skills Demonstrate the ability to be flexible, sensible and respectful while working in a diverse environment Maintain professionalism and discretion in all interactions and communications. Compile and maintain complex and extensive records. Ability to use Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications A high level of cultural competency and ability to adapt to the dynamics of a political environment, which sometimes requires working outside of the typical 9-5 schedule Qualifications Bachelor's degree. Two to four years of related work experience. Additional requirement : Please include a writing sample, preferably a press release or an op-ed, along with your application. The writing sample should reflect your ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively across all forms of written communication. Additional Information TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, writing sample and resume. Salary Range: $80,000 Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee: Transportation : City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA's Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more. Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave. We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays Generous retirement savings options are available Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness. Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated. The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchrphila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx