Chief Communications Officer (Open and Promotional)

Chief Communications Officer (Open and Promotional)

County of San Mateo, CA

The County Executive's Office is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and innovative communications leader for the position of Chief Communications Officer.

Please view our Online Brochure for a detailed description of the position and instructions on how to apply: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHV9hYrkhI/p1wP05LkH8UhlQ3LbXn5zA/view?ut…

The Chief Communications Officer will play a key leadership role in overseeing County-wide communications, strengthening how the County connects and engages with residents, news media, employees, community groups, nonprofits, and other government agencies.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications and Community Partnerships, the Chief Communications Officer sets the direction for County-wide communications and serves as a trusted communications advisor and partner across the organization. The position works closely with County leadership, the Board of Supervisors, departments, news media, community organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

The Chief Communications Officer will lead the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies across traditional, digital, social, and emerging platforms. From major County initiatives and community engagement campaigns to rapidly evolving issues and crisis communications, this leader will ensure the County communicates with clarity, consistency, transparency, and purpose.

The position leads a talented team of five communications professionals and oversees the work of vendors and contractors. With considerable independence, initiative, and discretion, the Chief Communications Officer will balance long-term communications strategy with the ability to respond quickly and thoughtfully to emerging priorities.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings political astuteness, sound judgment, and sensitivity to the issues affecting our communities. They are a proven people leader, collaborative partner, and accomplished communications professional who can build strong teams and relationships while navigating the responsibility and visibility that come with communicating on behalf of local government.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven people leadership, with significant experience supervising and developing staff, managing performance, building cohesive teams, and supporting employees through the range of opportunities and challenges that come with leading a high-performing team.
• Exceptional collaboration and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated success working across complex organizations, balancing competing priorities, and building trusted partnerships with executive leaders, elected officials, departments, and other stakeholders.
• Strong communications expertise and executive presence, with experience shaping narratives and communications strategies, serving as a spokesperson, conducting on-camera media interviews, and communicating effectively with the public, media, community groups, and other key audiences.
• Strategic judgment and execution, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues, advise leadership, set direction, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-moving environment with multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Broad knowledge of public communications and engagement, including traditional, digital, social, and emerging media, as well as experience developing campaigns and preparing leaders and staff for media, public presentations, crisis communications, and civic engagement.

Additionally, the successful candidate will possess the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the profession and seven years of progressively responsible management experience in public affairs, media relations, communications, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead Countywide communications strategy, developing and implementing communications policies, public relations and marketing plans, and coordinated messaging that strengthen public trust and engagement.
• Lead and develop the CEO Communications Team, setting priorities, fostering collaboration, managing performance, supporting staff development, and creating the structures and support needed for the team to succeed.
• Build strong partnerships across the County, working closely with the Board of Supervisors, executive leadership, department heads, departmental communications professionals, and other stakeholders to navigate competing priorities and advance coordinated communications.
• Provide strategic communications leadership during high-profile, sensitive, emergency, and crisis situations, anticipating emerging issues, advising leadership, coordinating messaging, and ensuring timely, accurate, and credible communication.
• Serve as a visible representative and spokesperson for the County, engaging with news media and presenting before the Board of Supervisors, committees, boards, commissions, community organizations, government partners, and the public.
• Strengthen the County's brand and communications reach across web, social, multimedia, and emerging platforms, identifying new ways to make government information engaging and accessible.
• Oversee communications operations and resources, including the County Media Studio, budget, consultant procurement, contracts, and other resources to support effective and timely service delivery.
• Analyze complex issues and evolving trends in public information, media relations, technology, laws, and regulations; assess communications impacts and recommend strategies, policies, and improvements to County leadership.

How To Apply

Application Deadline: October 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Application Screening: Week of October 19, 2026

Panel Interviews: Week of November 9, 2026