Senior Communications Advisor

Job Description

Job Description

City of Roswell, Georgia 

JOB DESCRIPTION  

*Salary commensurate with experience.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Senior Communications Advisor

Department: Administration – Communications and Engagement   

Pay Grade: 513

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Code: A172

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this classification is to provide senior-level strategic communications support for the City of Roswell, with a primary focus on executive communications, governance communications, media relations, and organizational communication strategy. This position works directly with the Communications & Engagement Director to support City-wide communications initiatives, media relations strategy, executive messaging, and public engagement efforts.

The Senior Communications Advisor serves as a key liaison between the Administration Department, Mayor and Council, City leadership, departmental stakeholders, and the public to ensure accurate, timely, and effective communication regarding City operations, policies, initiatives, and strategic priorities.

• Works directly with the Communications & Engagement Director to develop and execute media relations strategies, public messaging, and communications initiatives.
• Oversees communications related to Administration and Governance functions, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and strategic alignment in messaging.
• Serves as primary communications liaison to the Mayor, Mayor’s Office staff, and City Council.
• Attends all regularly scheduled City Council meetings and related governance meetings as assigned.
• Authors, edits, and publishes City Council meeting recap communications for internal and external audiences.
• Develops, maintains, and manages briefing documents, talking points, background materials, and communication resources for the Mayor and City Council.
• Coordinates and supports communications planning and implementation for executive priorities, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
• Works collaboratively with the Visual Media team to plan, coordinate, and organize franchise-related deliverables and multimedia communication projects.
• Develops communication strategies, outreach plans, media materials, presentations, and public information campaigns for assigned departments and initiatives.
• Coordinates and participates in the research, writing, editing, production, and publication of various communications materials, including news releases, newsletters, presentations, speeches, articles, social media content, web content, scripts, and public information materials.
• Responds to media inquiries and assists with media coordination efforts in collaboration with the Communications & Engagement Director.
• Assists in managing communications during emergency response situations and high-profile issues by supporting coordinated public information efforts.
• Reviews and edits communication materials prepared by departments to ensure consistency with City branding, messaging, and communication standards.
• Organizes and facilitates workshops and training sessions related to communication best practices, media interaction, public messaging, and organizational communication standards.
• Develops communication training plans and professional development resources for Communications Specialists and other support employees.
• Provides guidance and consultation to departments and City leadership regarding communication strategies, public engagement, and messaging approaches.
• Maintains and updates information for publication on the City’s website, intranet, social media channels, and other communication platforms.
• Monitors local, regional, and national media coverage relevant to City operations, governance, and public affairs; identifies emerging issues and advises leadership accordingly.
• Supports compliance with Open Meetings, Open Records, and other applicable public information laws and regulations.
• Attends meetings, special events, workshops, and community activities on behalf of the City as needed.
• Maintains knowledge of current communications trends, technologies, public information practices, and governmental communication standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration, Marketing, or a closely related field; supplemented by five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications, media relations, public affairs, journalism, or governmental communications, preferably within a local government environment; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

• Possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver’s License with a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR).

• Knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, public information, and public engagement principles and practices.
• Knowledge of local government operations, governance processes, and public administration principles.
• Knowledge of Open Meetings, Open Records, and related public information laws.
• Strong writing, editing, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare executive-level communication materials, briefing documents, speeches, and public messaging.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, department directors, media representatives, employees, and the public.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and political awareness in sensitive communication matters.
• Proficiency in communication technologies, social media platforms, website content management, and Microsoft Office applications.

The work is primarily sedentary to light work requiring the ability to exert light physical effort. Tasks may involve extended periods at a keyboard or workstation and occasional lifting or carrying of light materials (5–10 pounds). Tasks require the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Work is regularly performed in a standard office environment without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

The City has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

The City of Roswell, Georgia commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The City’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law.