Deputy Director of Communications

Salary: $119,932.80 - $162,011.20 Annually
Location : Community Design Studio - 7506 E Indian School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2627-00262
Division: Communications
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Arizona


Introduction
The Deputy Director of Communications is a key leadership position responsible for helping shape how Scottsdale tells its story and connects with the community. Serving as the Communications Department's second-in-command, this person will help lead strategy, operations and staff while providing trusted counsel on high-profile and sensitive issues.

The deputy director will directly oversee Scottsdale Video Network and the city's design team, guiding the creation of compelling, timely and accessible content across video, broadcast, digital and print platforms. The ideal candidate is a decisive and collaborative leader who can inspire creative professionals, manage competing priorities, strengthen accountability and turn ambitious ideas into results.
This is an opportunity to help modernize the communications of a nationally recognized city, lead talented teams and ensure Scottsdale's work is presented with the clarity, creativity and quality our community expects.

Please note: the hiring department has requested that you attach a Cover Letter and Resumé to your application.

Anticipated starting salary for this position may be up to mid-point depending on candidate's experience and internal equity. The full salary range is listed above and mid-point for this position is $140,920 annually.

Be sure to check your email junk/spam folders regularly for possible notifications and/or self-schedule interview invitations from Governmentjobs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited educational institution.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, public affairs, marketing or a related field, which includes five years of supervisory experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or job-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during active employment by the city, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on division/department/service assignment.

Essential Functions

To view the job description and list of Essential Functions, click here

Work Environment/Physical Demands

To view the Work Environment/Physical Demands, c lick here

Selection Process:
The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state "See Resume" in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.


Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include:

• Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
• Criminal Background screening

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Years of experience are based on a work schedule of 2,080 hours per year for full-time positions and 1,040 hours per year for part-time positions, and while work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending upon the job classification, education may not be substituted for work experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.


When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service View phone number on click.appcast.io) may contact HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io.


This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change
Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits,


Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking
01


Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited educational institution? Note: The degree and major must be listed in the Education section of your application.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, public affairs, marketing or a related field? Note: this job experience must be listed in the duties section of your application.

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have at least 5 years of supervisory experience? Note: the supervisory experience must be listed on your application.

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of professional experience do you have leading communications, public information, marketing, video production, graphic design or closely related functions?

• Less than three years
• Three to five years
• More than five but fewer than seven years
• Seven to 10 years
• More than 10 years

05


How many years of experience do you have directly supervising professional employees?

• None
• Less than 5 years
• More than 5 years

06


Which of the following functions have you directly supervised or managed? Select all that apply.

• Video production or broadcast operations
• Graphic design or creative services
• Digital content or social media
• Media relations or public information
• Marketing or advertising
• Crisis or emergency communications
• Brand management
• Website content or digital communications
• Budget development or administration
• Contract or vendor management
• None of the above

07


Which statement best describes your experience supervising video or design professionals?

• I have directly supervised both video and design professionals
• I have directly supervised video professionals
• I have directly supervised design professionals
• I have managed projects involving these functions but have not supervised the employees
• I have no professional experience overseeing these functions.

08


Please indicate your experience managing budgets, contracts or outside vendors. Select all that apply.

• Developed or administered an annual operating budget
• Managed professional services or creative contracts
• Developed scopes of work
• Participated in vendor selection or procurement
• Monitored vendor performance and deliverables
• Approved invoices or monitored expenditures
• No experience in these areas

09


Have you served in a role in which you regularly advised an executive, department director or elected official on sensitive, high-profile or rapidly developing matters?

• Yes
• No

10


Please indicate how you learned about this job opportunity with the City of Scottsdale.

• City Website
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair (In-Person / Virtual)
• Recruiter
• Other

11


I understand that any communication for this recruitment may come via an email from governmentjobs.com and I will check my email junk/spam folders regularly for possible notifications and/or self-schedule interview invitations.

• Yes
• No

Required Question