Assistant Director of Communications & Public Engagement

Assistant Director of Communications & Public Engagement

Salary

$85,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually

Location

900 Church St, Lynchburg, VA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

03634

Department

Communications & Pub Engagement

Division

Communications & Pub Engagement

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

7/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Public Engagement, the Assistant Director is responsible for developing and maintaining a strategic, multi-faceted communications program designed to build and strengthen the Citys mission, goals, and reputation while helping to foster productive, beneficial relationships between the City, City employees, the media, and the community. With expertise in external and internal communications, the Assistant Director performs professional management and supervisory work in serving as principal assistant to the Director of Communications.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Leadership and Management:

• Collaborate with Director of Communications and Public Engagement regularly regarding departmental operations and internal/external communications needs and strategy.
• Implement team structures and team approaches to getting work completed.
• Delegate work and the related authority, responsibility, and resources for assignments and projects thoughtfully and follow up to provide support.
• Lead, inspire, provide direction and assess a team of creative professionals, including communications, graphic design and multimedia specialists.
• Provide guidance and direction to ensure the highest quality of creative output and adherence to project timelines and objectives.
• Assist Director to plan and coordinate events, press conferences and public engagements.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with media, community leaders and other stakeholders;
• Perform duties for the Director in their absence.

Creative Development:

• Develop, manage and execute a comprehensive plan for internal, external and cross-departmental communications across all platforms;
• Conceptualize and develop creative campaigns that effectively communicate the City's brand message and resonate with target audiences;
• Oversee the design and production of marketing materials, including print collateral, websites, email campaigns, advertising, and multimedia content;
• Ensure consistency in design and messaging across all marketing channels and platforms.
• Serve as the primary communication lead for assigned departments, understanding their goals and priorities.

Strategy and Planning:

• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to inform creative direction and innovation.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and adjust plans as needed.
• Train and serve as one of the department's representatives to provide timely and accurate information to the public during emergencies or critical events.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Other duties to provide direct or indirect services to the citizens may be assigned.
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has supervisory duties. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelors degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university, with major work in communications, public relations, marketing, government administration, nonprofit management or closely related field; experience in managing multi-channel communications for corporate, nonprofit or municipal organizations; and experience in interacting with senior level executives. Any acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the more specific criteria listed above.

Successful candidates will be a self-starter and well-organized. The position requires well-developed writing and public speaking skills, judgment, tact and discretion in maintaining effective relationships with public and various agencies. Requires ability to familiarize oneself with laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies of various government agencies as they affect residents, elected officials and community stakeholders. Supervisory experience is preferred.

Other skills required:

• Strong knowledge of marketing, brand, and design principles, as well as digital development technologies and trends.
• Experience leading and managing creative teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent concept and strategy development skills, with the ability to translate ideas into compelling visual designs and campaigns.
• Ability to schedule, coordinate and manage various projects of varying degrees of difficulty, size and complexity.
• Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in written and verbal format.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to be a team player with effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.

Additional Requirements

• Possession of driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria.
• Relevant background checks must be satisfactorily completed.
• Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.
• This position may be required to work after-hours including weekends, nights and/or holidays.

The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the Citys goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services.

• Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS);

the City's contribution is based on a rate determined bi-annually by the VRS Board and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit

• Life insurance at no cost to the employee

• Optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.

• Eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance

• Paid Time Off

• Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the position

Employees of the City of Lynchburg may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for federal student loans

Additional information about City benefits can be found on our website and in the Employment Policies & Procedures

01

Describe your experience with developing, implementing, and managing communications strategies.

02

What does public service mean to you?

03

Describe a time when you effectively communicated a complex idea or policy to a diverse audience.

04

DMV Release Notice: This position requires a valid drivers license and acceptable driving history. I hereby certify that I have read the DMV Record Release Notice, and give the City permission to obtain my driving record.

• Yes
• No
• I do not currently possess a Virginia Drivers License

05

If you answered in the above question that you currently possess a Virginia Drivers License, please provide your License Number.

06

(Current Out-of-State applicants and applicants who have had an Out-of-State Drivers License at any time in the last 3 years): I agree to provide, WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF MY APPLICATION, a copy of my driving record from that state where I am currently licensed or have been licensed within the past 3 years. I will contact Human Resources within 2 weeks if I am unable to obtain my out of state driving record in that time. I understand that my application may not be considered for this position until I submit my out of state driving record. You can email this information to human.resources@lynchburgva.gov, or fax to 434-845-4304 or mail this information to Human Resources, 900 Church Street, Lynchburg VA 24504. Include the name of the position for which you are applying. If you have a driving record less than 30 days old you can upload as an attachment to your application.

• Agree to provide record within 2 weeks of application date
• Do not agree (I understand I will no longer be considered for this position if I disagree.)
• Not applicable (I have not had an Out-of-State Drivers License during the past 3 years.

Required Question

Employer City of Lynchburg

Address 900 Church Street

Lynchburg, Virginia, 24504

Phone (434) 455-4200

Website https://www.lynchburgva.gov/human-resources