COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and standards for how the County communicates with residents, stakeholders, and the media. Operates at both a strategic and leadership level—guiding messaging on high-profile initiatives, shaping public narrative, and ensuring alignment across departments. Serves as a trusted advisor to County leadership and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). This position may serve as the County's spokesperson and plays a key role in crisis and emergency communications. Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive, county-wide communications strategy aligned with BOCC priorities and County initiatives. Serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and elected officials on messaging, public positioning, and stakeholder engagement. Shapes and oversees communications for high-profile, sensitive, or complex issues, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across the organization. Directs and integrates all communications functions, including media relations, digital strategy, social media, publications, and community outreach. Provides oversight of media relations, including proactive strategy, message development, and response to major inquiries or issues. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with media outlets, community leaders, partner agencies, and key stakeholders. Oversees brand management and ensures consistency in messaging, tone, and visual identity across all County communications. Leads crisis and emergency communications planning and execution; advises leadership during incidents and may serve in the Emergency Operations Center. Guides the development of high-impact communications materials, including speeches, reports, briefings, and public-facing content. Oversees analytics and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness of communication strategies and ensure continuous improvement. Supervises, mentors, and develops communications staff, fostering a high-performing and accountable team environment. Represents the County at public meetings, community events, and with media, including outside normal business hours as needed. Supervises the work of subordinate personnel; supervisory duties include instructing; planning; assigning and reviewing work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; allocating personnel; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline and discharge; reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates performance and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed. May operate vehicle and a variety of equipment, which may include a computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copier, fax machine, other office equipment. Attends and remains at work regularly and adhere to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests. Performs other duties as required. (These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.) Requires a Bachelor's degree, Masters preferred, in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, Public Administration or related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, and/or media relations, including significant experience in government or public sector environment. Requires three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Requires a valid State Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience advising elected officials or executive leadership in a county, municipal, or state government setting. Demonstrated success managing high-profile or politically sensitive communications issues. Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson. Background in crisis, emergency, or incident communications. Familiarity with Florida public records laws and government transparency requirements. Experience leading multi-channel communications strategies, including digital and social platforms. Position requires a seasoned leader with deep experience in public affairs, media relations, and government communications. The ideal candidate brings strong political acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex, high-visibility issues while maintaining public trust. Knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County as they pertain to the performance duties of the Communications Manager. Ability to comprehend the intricate relationships between the Board of County Commissioners, other government agencies, advocacy groups, corporate entities and the public at large. Must be able to independently recognize the interrelated nature of local government work and, with awareness, quickly craft material for publication. Knowledge of local, state and federal requirements as they pertain to the position. Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of County and other Governmental operations. Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information. Knowledge in interpersonal and administrative skills. Knowledge of leadership-level communication and messaging strategies. Knowledge of strategic leadership and organizational alignment. Knowledge of political acumen and sound judgment in organizational contexts. Ability to manage media relations and reputation. Ability to manage crises and issues. Skilled in team leadership and talent development. Ability to gain stakeholder engagement and build public trust. Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully and persuasively with members of the general public, subordinates and other County staff in difficult situations, both orally and in writing. Ability to ensure Departmental compliance with all laws and regulations and control the activities of the Department through effective supervision. Knowledge of administrative principles involved in developing, coordinating and supervising various programs and related activities. Ability to offer instruction advice to subordinates regarding Departmental policies, methods and regulations. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Ability to make public presentations. Knowledge of modern office practices and terminology. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, community interest groups and the general public. Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar. Ability to operate and maintain a variety of office equipment as necessary in the performance of daily activities. Ability to assemble information and prepare reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner. Ability to maintain confidentiality as required. Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in coordinating Department Programs; making sound decisions; determining procedures; setting priorities; setting schedules; maintaining standards; resolving problems; performing routine and non routine tasks. Ability to work under stressful conditions as required. Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS

Tasks may require extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Stooping Sitting Kneeling Bending Crouching Reaching Standing Walking Lifting and carrying up to 10 lbs. Pushing and pulling (Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability) Work Environment Works inside in an office environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the listed closing date or the position is filled, whichever is earliest. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check. Nassau County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans' Preference in accordance with applicable laws. The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This position may be required to work in a safety sensitive capacity at any time based on emergency declaration or other operational need. Nassau County reserves the right to edit or re-write this job description at any time.