COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Cary, NC

Job Type

Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

27-02719

Department

Communications

Opening Date

11/12/2026

Closing Date

12/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR PROFILE

CARY COMMUNITY

Cary, North Carolina, is a thriving, forward-looking, and diverse community nationally recognized for its exceptional quality of life and top-tier municipal services. More than 190,000 residents within 61 square miles call Cary home, making it the seventh-largest municipality in North Carolina.

Conveniently located between Raleigh, the state capital, and Research Triangle Park, the largest research and technology hub in the United States, Cary offers unparalleled access to innovation, education, and opportunity. Within a two-hour drive, residents enjoy both the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and the pristine beaches of the Atlantic coast.

Cary has been nationally recognized for decades as a community of excellence. Our police, fire, and parks departments are nationally accredited. We are one of only nine entities in the country with Triple-A ratings from Moodys, Standard & Poors, and Fitch for both General Obligation Bonds and Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds. And for 40 consecutive years, the Town has earned the Government Finance Officers Associations Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, as well as its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Cary consistently outperforms national averages in home values, job creation, household income, and population growth. The community benefits from an educated workforce, excellent public schools, universities, major health care facilities, and a strong regional economy.

With its vibrant community, commitment to innovation, and unparalleled quality of life, Cary offers residents and leaders alike the opportunity to work and live inspired.

CARY GOVERNANCE

Cary is known for its long-standing commitment to operational excellence and innovation in local government. Every day, we work to enrich lives by creating exceptional experiences and delivering services that help our community thrive and prosper. Our success is built on strong partnerships between citizens, council, staff, and businesses, who all have a shared belief that local government can be a trusted, forward-thinking partner.

At Cary, we don't just follow best practices, we set them. We lead with professionalism, collaboration, and a mindset of continuous improvement. We embrace change, challenge assumptions, and learn as we go. When we succeed, our community sees a government that listens, adapts, and delivers.

Cary's culture of collaboration and innovation, known as "OneCary," fosters an environment where leaders and teams are empowered to bring forward new ideas and solutions. Our OneCary culture is grounded in adaptive leadership and guided by values that shape everything we do. These values reflect our commitment to a workplace where everyone is empowered to contribute fully. Together, we create public value that brings people together and enhances lives.

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

The Town of Cary Communications Department will be responsible for clear, consistent, and strategic internal and external communications and engagement. The department will set the tone, pace, and approach for how Cary communicates with residents, visitors, businesses, community organizations, and the media - ensuring messaging reflects the Towns priorities, values, and brand while keeping staff informed and aligned.

Cary has a long history of investment in communications excellence. The new Communications Department will bring together the Town's Marketing Division, 311 operations, and organizational communications efforts under unified leadership - a structure that will position Cary to communicate with greater coordination, consistency, and impact. The department will work in close partnership with subject matter experts across the organization, providing strategy, standards, and support while respecting the day-to-day operational work that happens throughout the Town.

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

The Communications Director will serve as the Town of Carys lead communications staff member and provide leadership and executive oversight for the soon-to-be reestablished Cary Communications Department. The new Communications Department will bring together Carys Marketing division, 311 operations, and internal communications efforts with a unified, effective structure.

The right candidate thinks strategically and practically about how communication shapes public trust, organizational alignment, and community engagement. They translate Council, executive, and operational priorities into unified strategies that reach residents, businesses, visitors, employees, and the media with clarity and consistency. They advise executive leadership with confidence and political acumen, navigate complex issues with sound judgment, mobilize coordinated communications response to crises, and adjust the systems that allow the entire organization to effectively communicate day-to-day operations. Building on the strengths of existing staff and functions, they are motivated by the opportunity to lead a high-performing team that tells Cary's story with excellence.

We're seeking an experienced communications leader to guide Cary's Communications Department into its next chapter. If this aligns with your goals, we encourage you to apply.

PLEASE ATTACH AN UPDATED RESUME TO THIS APPLICATION.

Typical Tasks

Lead communications strategy

• Collaboratively develop and implement Cary's unified internal and external communications in alignment with Council, executive, and operational priorities and direction.
• Serve as Cary's lead communications advisor to executive leadership and departments on strategic messaging, public engagement, issues management, and reputational risk.
• Provide guidance on public information, educational, promotional, and engagement campaigns.

Advise and counsel

• Serve as lead advisor for Town Manager's Office communications, including remarks, presentations, reports, interviews, and key messages.
• Support effective communications and oversight for high-profile initiatives, announcements, and signature events, including collaboration and coordination with the Town Clerk's Office.
• Advise on and participate in crisis communications and emergency response, including collaboration with lead public safety staff members.

Direct media relations and public engagement

• Direct Cary's media relations program, including media strategy, relationship management, news conferences, media advisories, news releases, and spokesperson preparation.
• Oversee organizational media training and ensure designated spokespersons are prepared for public and media engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight on major marketing and promotional campaigns that attract tourism, visitors, business investment, entertainment, sporting events, and economic development.

Engage and analyze

• Oversee Cary's centralized non-emergency communications hub (311) and primary communications channels such as the Town's websites, social media accounts, and government access channel, Cary TV 11.
• Direct communications analytics, performance reporting, sentiment monitoring, and audience insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Guide and align

• Update/Establish communications governance, policies, standards, tools, and training programs that support consistent and effective communication across departments.
• Foster internal organizational communications that keep staff informed, aligned, and equipped with the knowledge and context they need to serve the community effectively.

Lead and develop the team

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate Communications Department staff; foster a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.
• Partner across departments to guide communication planning, establish standards, and ensure communications are aligned, measurable, and effective.
• Supervise departmental operations, personnel, budget development, vendor and contract management, and cross-functional coordination to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public relations and journalistic composition.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, values, and goals of the Town.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant state laws including but not limited to open meetings, public records, and personnel topics, and regulatory communications requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of marketing principles and how to apply them to generate the highest possible return on investment.
• Considerable knowledge of the requirements, policies, and procedures of different types of news media outlets.
• General knowledge of state and federal laws regarding speech, copyright, trademark, and defamation.
• High competency in common communications channels and strategic thinking in how to activate them to achieve specific results.
• Advanced skills in written composition.
• General knowledge of principles of audio and video production; general knowledge of principles of statistically valid research and ability to interpret results.
• Ability to compile, organize, and analyze data and other information and present in a concise format.
• Advanced skills in public speaking and the ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations in formal environments to groups such as Council, large audiences, and the media.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Familiarity with emerging communication technologies and how to leverage for maximum effectiveness.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing or related field. Master's degree or post-baccalaureate certifications in a related field is preferred.

Completed Coursework:

• FEMA Independent Study (IS) Courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, IS-42
• FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Course: E0105

Experience:

• Extensive experience working in communications or a related field proactively planning for and responding to complex issues.
• Considerable supervisory experience.
• Considerable experience in developing and executing paid marketing strategies.
• Experience overseeing crisis communications during an emergency such as serving as the Public Information Officer in an Emergency Operations Center.

Conditions of employment

Requires successful completion of drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification, and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks before employment.

Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Regular Full-Time Employees

Learn more about our benefits.

Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.

Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits.

All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employees hire date.

01

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or a related field? Note: All education detail should be found in the education section of your application, including your degree type.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a masters degree or post-baccalaureate certification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field? Note: All education detail should be found in the education section of your application, including your degree type.

• Masters degree in a related field
• Post-baccalaureate certification(s) in a related field
• Neither

04

How many years of progressively responsible professional experience do you have in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, including proactively planning for and responding to complex issues? Note: Details must be included in the work experience section of your application.

• Less than 5 years
• 5-7 years
• 8-10 years
• 11-15 years
• More than 15 years

05

What is the largest number of direct reports youve been directly responsible for supervising at one time?

• No previous supervision
• 1 - 5 employees
• 6 - 10 employees
• 11 or more employees

06

Which of the following best describes your experience overseeing crisis communications or emergency public information efforts?

• No direct experience in crisis communications
• Supported crisis communications efforts under the direction of others
• Led communications activities during a significant incident or organizational crisis
• Served as a Public Information Officer (PIO) or equivalent lead communications role during an emergency
• Directed crisis communications strategy and coordinated communications across multiple departments or agencies during complex emergencies

07

Describe your level of experience working directly with public safety personnel.

• No experience
• Some experience
• Considerable experience
• Extensive experience

08

Which of the following FEMA courses have you successfully completed? (Select all that apply.)

• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• IS-700: Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• IS-800: National Response Framework
• IS-42: Social Media in Emergency Management
• E0105: Public Information Basics
• None of the above

09

The Town of Cary supports varying levels of remote work and schedule flexibility. This job requires you to work predominately in an office at Cary Town Hall on weekdays during regular business hours (M-F approx. 8:30-5:00). Are you able to meet this work schedule and in-office requirement?

• Yes
• No

10

This position may require you to work outside of normal business hours during emergency situations, such as water main breaks, hurricanes, snowstorms, or other events that impact Town operations. These situations may require extended work hours or reporting to work for multiple consecutive days. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

11

This position requires attending evening Town Council meetings several times per month, outside of regular business hours. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

12

This job requires you to often change what you're doing and work on an immediate, high priority request. How comfortable are you in these situations?

• Not at all comfortable - I dont work well this way
• Somewhat comfortable - I can work this way, but dont prefer it
• Comfortable - I can work this way
• Very comfortable - I prefer this work environment

13

Describe your level of experience working directly with elected officials.

• No experience
• Some experience
• Considerable experience
• Extensive experience

Required Question

Employer Town of Cary

Address 316 N. Academy Street, Human Resources

Cary, North Carolina, 27513

Phone 919-469-4070

Website http://www.carync.gov