Strategic Communications Manager (Program Manager II, Grade N25)

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  Current Montgomery County Government employees.
• Montgomery County employees who were affected by a reduction-in-force and currently have RIF priority rights.
• Active Montgomery County local fire and rescue department volunteers with at least 50 points under the length of service award program (LOSAP); or
• Active Project SEARCH Interns or former Montgomery County Customized Employment Public Interns, or Project SEARCH Interns, within 24 months of completion of internship.

• Partner with senior leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan that advances consumer protection goals.

• Translate high-level objectives into clear program roadmaps and performance targets for your team.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with internal divisions, policymakers, advocacy groups, and community organizations to broaden our outreach.

• Act as OCP's media liaison by managing press releases, speeches, and talking points, and coordinating media events and engagements.

• Oversee the creation of consumer education campaigns, workshops, presentations, and print materials (newsletters, brochures, annual reports).

• Guide your team in producing messaging that is accurate, accessible, and tailored to diverse audiences.

• Direct the maintenance and redesign of the departmental website to ensure user-friendly, timely, and on-brand content.
• Coordinate messaging across social media channels in collaboration with division staff

• Establish and track key metrics—engagement rates, media coverage, web traffic—and produce regular performance reports.

• Use data-driven insights to refine strategies, optimize resource allocation, and continuously enhance program effectiveness.

To Excel as the Strategic Communications Manager, You Will Possess:

Leadership & Team Development

• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and motivate a small team toward shared goals.

• Skill in delegating effectively, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Strategic & Analytical Thinking

• Strong aptitude for translating high-level objectives into actionable plans with measurable milestones.

• Comfort with data analysis—setting KPIs, monitoring performance dashboards, and using insights to refine tactics.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Proven success building and sustaining partnerships across internal divisions, community organizations, and the media.

• Tact and diplomacy in navigating diverse viewpoints, aligning stakeholders around common consumer-protection priorities.

Communication Excellence

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for accuracy, clarity, and audience relevance.

• Experience overseeing the development of engaging print, digital, and in-person materials that drive understanding and action.

Technical & Digital Proficiency

• Familiarity with content management systems, social media platforms, and basic analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social insights).

• Ability to guide website redesigns and coordinate multi-channel campaigns to ensure consistent branding and user experience.

Consumer Protection Expertise

• Genuine passion for educating and empowering residents about their rights, licensing requirements, and business compliance.

• Understanding of regulatory frameworks and common consumer issues to ensure messaging is both accurate and impactful.

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  Experience in Strategic Communications: Proven experience in leading and executing strategic communication plans aligned with organizational goals.

• Marketing Campaigns: Demonstrated ability to manage successful marketing campaigns, including planning, execution, and measurement of outcomes.

• Public Relations Expertise: Experience in handling media relations, writing press releases, and managing public-facing communication.

• Content Creation: Strong skills in creating engaging written and multimedia content for various platforms (websites, social media, print, etc.).

• Leadership and Team Collaboration: Ability to lead a team and collaborate across departments to ensure consistent messaging and effective outreach.

• Digital Marketing and Social Media: Expertise in digital marketing tools, social media platforms, and analytics to measure and optimize outreach efforts.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to effectively engage with external stakeholders, including the media, community partners, and the public.

• Presentation Skills: Strong verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.

• Project Management: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Crisis Communications: Experience handling communication during crisis situations, ensuring transparency and maintaining public trust.