Director of Communications

Position Description

Position Summary: The Director of Communications leads the Communications unit of the Office of Public Affairs and serves as HCTO's senior communications professional responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy for the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office. This position oversees all communications functions, including media relations, digital communications, content creation, written communications, crisis communications, and brand management. The Director supervises a team of two communications staff and serves as the primary interface between the Office and the news media. This position advises senior leadership on communications strategy, messaging, and reputational matters, and must exercise expert independent judgment on time-sensitive, high-visibility, and politically sensitive communications decisions. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy for the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar's Office, encompassing media relations, digital and social media, content production, internal communications, and public awareness.
• Serve as the primary media relations contact for the Office, managing relationships with print, broadcast, digital, and ethnic media outlets, responding to press inquiries, facilitating press conferences and media briefings, and developing proactive media strategies.
• Draft and edit high-quality written communications, including press releases, media advisories, public statements, op-eds, speeches, talking points, fact sheets, letters, and constituent correspondence.
• Directly supervise the Communications Specialist and the Communications Coordinator, providing performance management, editorial guidance, workload direction, and professional development.
• Develop and maintain HCTO's communications brand standards, including visual identity guidelines, messaging frameworks, editorial style standards, and tone of voice guidelines.
• Lead the planning and execution of HCTO's digital communications presence, overseeing website content, social media channels, email communications, and digital content calendar.
• Advise the Chief and other senior leadership on communications strategy, messaging, media dynamics, and reputational implications of organizational decisions.
• Develop and execute crisis communications plans, managing HCTO's response to emergencies, media controversies, and sensitive public situations with speed, accuracy, and strategic judgment.
• Coordinate communications for major office initiatives, public announcements, election cycles, and legislative developments, ensuring consistent, timely, and effective public information.
• Oversee the development and production of public-facing materials, including publications, brochures, annual reports, infographics, videos, and other print and digital content.
• Monitor news coverage, public opinion trends, and relevant media activity, providing regular intelligence reports and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Manage relationships with communications vendors, contractors, and consultants, including scope development, quality review, and budget oversight.
• Develop and manage the Communications unit budget, including preparing budget requests, monitoring expenditures, and reporting to division leadership.
• Establish editorial calendars, content planning processes, and communications workflow systems to ensure consistent, coordinated, and high-quality output across all channels.
• Serve as HCTO's spokesperson or coordinate spokesperson functions as designated by the Chief.
• Ensure all communications activities comply with applicable Harris County policies, Texas public information laws, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Public Affairs.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public affairs, public relations, or a closely related field is required.
• A master's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, or a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs communications, or journalism is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience managing professional communications staff is required.
• Demonstrated experience as a media relations professional or spokesperson in a government, public sector, or high-profile organizational environment is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in digital communications, social media strategy, and digital content production is required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, public affairs communications, digital media, and content strategy.
• Expert knowledge of media relations practices, including managing relationships with diverse media outlets, conducting press conferences, and navigating complex media inquiries.
• Thorough knowledge of crisis communications planning, media management during sensitive situations, and reputational risk assessment.
• Knowledge of Texas Public Information Act requirements and compliance obligations in government communications.
• Knowledge of digital communications platforms, social media management, web content management, and digital analytics.
• Skill in writing and editing at an expert level across a broad range of formats, including press releases, speeches, public statements, fact sheets, and digital content.
• Skill in developing and maintaining a consistent organizational brand voice and visual identity across multiple communication channels.
• Skill in supervising and developing communications staff, providing editorial direction, and managing production workflows.
• Skill in advising senior leadership on communications strategy with expert judgment, political awareness, and organizational sensitivity.
• Ability to exercise expert independent judgment on time-sensitive, high-visibility, and politically sensitive communications matters.
• Ability to manage multiple communications priorities and projects simultaneously, often under significant time pressure.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with journalists, editors, and media professionals.
• Proficiency in communications tools, including content management systems, social media platforms, media monitoring services, and design tools.

NOTE:

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

• Experience with crisis communications planning and execution is strongly preferred
• Experience as a communications director or senior communications professional in a Texas local government or county agency.
• Established relationships with Houston-area media organizations and journalists.
• Experience with Spanish-language media or multicultural communications strategies.
• Familiarity with Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector services and election administration communications.

General Information

WORKING CONDITIONS Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Availability outside standard business hours during breaking news events, crises, elections, and major public announcements is required. Some local travel for press events and media engagements is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to sit for extended periods, operate standard office and communications equipment, and travel to off-site media and press events.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Harris County Employee Benefits

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan