General Definition of Work Performs difficult advanced technical work managing all aspects of the City's internal and external communications activities, projects and programs, developing and maintaining a level of public awareness and understanding to encourage community support for City services, programs and policies, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the Marketing and Communications Director. Divisional supervision is exercised over all personnel within the division. Qualification Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Overseeing production of the department's deliverables; Serving as the principal copywriter for the department, to include writing news releases, brochure and advertising copy, programs for special events, and web content and social media posts as required; Collaborating with the department's graphics team in developing content and creative approaches to brochures, fliers, advertising (both print and digital) and other collateral materials; Monitoring the content on the city website to ensure that it is accurate and up to date; Consulting as needed with internal customers to fully understand customer needs and expectations for advertisements, brochures, fliers and other deliverables; Exercising direct supervision of select members of the Marketing & Communications staff as assigned by the director; Assisting the department director in effectively communicating accurate information to citizens and the media during emergency and crisis situations; and Stepping in for the department director during the director's absence and as needed. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to clearly convey verbally and in writing information about city programs and policies, using correct grammar and simple, non-bureaucratic language that city residents will understand; Ability to gather information about city programs and policies and distill it into news releases, web content, reports, fliers, brochures, advertisements and other collateral materials; Command of AP style and best practices in writing for print, social media, websites and radio/television; Ability to prioritize and manage production of a high volume of deliverables, including graphics, advertisements, news releases, social media posts, and more; Considerable knowledge of marketing, promotions, communications, public relations and public information techniques; Considerable knowledge of graphic design principles and best practices; Thorough knowledge of various social media platforms including the best practices in posting and writing for each platform; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, city residents, and city staff; Ability to learn the unique characteristics of the city and surrounding community. Considerable knowledge of methods and procedures of a public relations activity to include media interaction. Ability to exercise judgment in formulating communications about sensitive issues; and Ability to oversee the department's video production team if required. Education and Experience Bachelor's degree with coursework in mass communications, journalism, marketing, or related field and considerable experience in news writing, marketing, graphics production, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred Qualifications At least three (3) years experience as a supervisor Master Degree Experience in writing advertising copy for print Physical Requirements This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and using of measuring devices; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices). Special Requirements Valid Drivers License (This position will be responsible for attending various offsite meetings) Residency Policy This position falls under the residency policy that requires the person selected maintain their principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall, or establish their principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall within 180 days of the effective date of the personnel action.