Communications Business Partner

Communications Business Partner

Under the guidance of the Director of Administrative Services, the Communications Business Partner serves as a strategic advisor and primary communications liaison for an assigned portfolio of City departments. This position develops and implements professional, strategic, and creative communications that inform and engage the community while supporting departmental goals and Citywide priorities. This position is responsible for managing and guiding digital and print communications, including social media, the City website, newsletters, press releases, marketing campaigns, and multimedia content, ensuring alignment with the City's brand and communications standards. Working collaboratively with departmental leadership and the broader Communications function, the Communications Business Partner proactively identifies communications opportunities and risks, advises on messaging strategies, and ensures consistent, timely, and effective communications across assigned departments. The ideal candidate will embody the City's core values of service, humility, innovation, neighborly, and excellence (SHINE).

Examples of Duties

Strategic Communications & Public Relations: Develops guidelines, workflows, and policies to ensure timely, effective, and consistent communications within the assigned portfolio. Prepares press releases, responds to media inquiries, and serves as a spokesperson for the City. Develops messaging to promote City programs, services, and projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and the City's brand standards.

Digital & Print Media Management: Develops, distributes, and maintains print and electronic communications channels, including the City's website, social media platforms, marketing campaigns, brochures, resident newsletter, and employee newsletter. Coordinates website content updates to ensure timely and accurate information. Implements quality control protocols for communications materials produced by the City.

Community Engagement & Marketing: Develops strategies to actively engage the community and increase awareness of City programs and initiatives. Implements creative and innovative marketing strategies to share the City's story and highlight services, projects, and events. Coordinates media coverage, photography, and video content for City events.

Interdepartmental Coordination & Branding: Works closely with assigned City departments to develop communications content and ensures consistent messaging across all platforms. Establishes and manages a Communications Council with representatives from each department to review and discuss upcoming projects and communications opportunities. Develops and enforces standards for the City's brand, including written and visual communications. Works with public safety and other departments to develop targeted communications pieces.

Customer Service & General Duties: Responds to general inquiries from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate responses.

General Duties: Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Communications & Public Relations Knowledge: Knowledge of strategic communications, media relations, public information best practices, and marketing strategies. Knowledge of branding standards and practices for consistent organizational messaging. Knowledge of social media management, website content management, and multimedia production. Knowledge of City policies, procedures, and standards governing communications.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in computer applications including Microsoft Office, content management systems, social media platforms, and multimedia production software. Skill in creating compelling written, visual, and digital content for a variety of audiences. Skill in developing and implementing social media marketing campaigns. Skill in using analytics and data to measure communications effectiveness and inform strategy.

Interpersonal & Customer Service Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, residents, media representatives, and other stakeholders. Skill in maintaining effective working relationships and collaborating across departments. Ability to respond diplomatically to public inquiries and resolve communication challenges.

Project & Program Management Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines. Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute communications strategies, marketing campaigns, and public engagement initiatives. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while ensuring high-quality results.

Typical Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Mass Communications, Journalism, or related field and three to five years of experience. Possess and maintain a valid Class C Texas driver's license.