Communications Director

Communications DirectorA best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you're interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad represents the City of Philadelphia as an At-Large member of City Council. Since taking office in January 2024, her work has focused on some of Philadelphia's most urgent challenges, including maternal health, human trafficking, and the city's environmental and economic resilience.The Office is building a high-performance, data-driven team committed to equity, transparency, and responsive government for all Philadelphians. We are recruiting a Communications Director who can operate at the top level of the profession-on par with leading public, private, and nonprofit sector communications teams.Job DescriptionThe role overview for the Communications Director is as follows:The Communications Director is the Councilmember's chief strategic communicator and narrative architect. This role designs and executes an integrated communications strategy that:Amplifies the Councilmember's legislative and policy work.Deepens engagement with residents and stakeholders.Positions the Councilmember as a credible, evidence-driven voice on key issues.This is not an entry-level role. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, self-directed communicator who thrives in a fast-moving, high-visibility environment and is comfortable working at the pace and complexity of both public and private sectors. The Communications Director works closely with legislative, outreach, and operations staffand external partnersto ensure that messaging is consistent, strategic, and aligned with the Councilmember's values and priorities.Key responsibilities include:Strategic Communications LeadershipDevelop and execute a cohesive communications strategy tied to the Councilmember's policy agenda and committee work.Translate complex legislation and data into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.Advise the Councilmember and senior staff on message development, timing, and risk/opportunity.Set goals and metrics for communications outputs and outcomes, track and report performance.Media Relations & PressBuild and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media.Proactively pitch stories, op-eds, and commentary that elevate the Councilmember's work.Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, and statements.Prepare the Councilmember for interviews, including talking points, briefing memos, and Q&A.Digital & Content StrategyOversee the voice, content, and cadence of all digital channels (social media, email, website, newsletters).Manage the Councilmember's social media presence with an authentic, values-aligned voice.Plan and execute data-informed digital campaigns to reach key constituencies.Ensure accessibility and platform-appropriate content (graphics, video, and written).Events, Public Engagement & Reputation ManagementDesign and support press events, public events, and town halls that highlight the Councilmember's priorities.Coordinate with legislative and outreach teams to align messaging and ensure strong turnout and follow-through.Monitor media, social media, and public sentiment; identify and correct misinformation.Lead communications during high-profile issues or crises, balancing transparency and risk management.Internal Collaboration & External PartnershipsWork closely with policy staff to elevate committee work, hearings, and legislative milestones.Partner with the outreach team to support neighborhood engagement, community partnerships, and coalition-building.Coordinate communications on joint initiatives with City agencies, advocacy organizations, and other Council offices.Core CompetenciesExceptional writer and editor with a demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, persuasive content across formats: speeches, op-eds, press releases, talking points, newsletters, and social posts.Strategic storyteller who can connect data to human stories and move audiences to understanding and action.Media-savvy operator with experience pitching and working directly with reporters and editors.Digitally fluent in social media and digital communications, including platform best practices and basic analytics.Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive issues, confidential information, and political dynamics.Equity and cultural competency, with demonstrated comfort working alongside diverse communities across Philadelphia.Strong project and time management skills; able to manage multiple deadlines and pivot quickly.Qualifications Bachelor's degree required. At least 24 years of relevant communications experience in government, campaigns, media, public affairs, corporate communications, or related fields. Candidates with more experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Experience with the Philadelphia media marketor a comparable urban environmentis a strong plus. Experience operating in high-visibility, high-stakes settings (elected office, major nonprofit, corporate, or advocacy environments) preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and familiarity with content management and social media tools.Additional InformationInterested candidates must submit a resume, references, and portfolio.Salary Range: $75,000 $80,000Discover the perks of being a City of Philadelphia employee:Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA's Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.We offer comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.Generous retirement savings options are available.Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents tooJoin the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information, or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 21