Communications Strategist

Communications Strategist

Salary

$71,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually

Location

Dublin, OH, OH

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01461

Department

Communications & Marketing

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Class Concept

Overview

The Communications Strategist develops and advances strategic communications initiatives that inform, engage and connect residents, businesses, visitors and stakeholders with the City of Dublin. The position leads the planning, coordination and evaluation of integrated communications campaigns and serves as a strategic advisor on audience engagement, content strategy, digital communications and emerging communication trends.

This position combines strategic planning, content leadership, digital engagement, audience insights and marketing principles to ensure the City's communications are effective, audience-centered and aligned with organizational priorities. The Communications Strategist works collaboratively across City departments to develop communication approaches that build understanding, strengthen trust and support informed decision-making.

The position serves as the department's lead strategist for audience engagement and content planning, using research, analytics, performance data and emerging communication practices to guide communications decisions and improve outcomes across communication channels.

Primary Focus

The Communications Strategist leads the Citys strategic content planning, audience engagement initiatives and digital communications efforts while identifying emerging technologies and communication trends that support organizational goals.

Given the nature of this classifications duties/responsibilities, it has been designated as Exempt under the governing Fair Labor Standards Act regulations and, therefore, is not entitled to formal overtime compensation and/or formal compensatory time.

Supervisory Responsibilities

C&M interns

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions

Strategic Communications Planning

• Develops and implements strategic communication plans and integrated communications campaigns for major City initiatives, projects, programs and events.
• Collaborates with City departments to identify communication objectives, target audiences, key messages and effective outreach strategies.
• Serves as a trusted communications advisor, helping departments determine how, when and where to communicate with stakeholders.
• Ensures communications efforts support the City's strategic priorities, brand and organizational goals.
• Identifies opportunities to proactively communicate emerging issues, projects and initiatives.

Content Strategy & Editorial Leadership

• Develops and maintains the Citys enterprise editorial calendar, content roadmap and strategic content planning process.
• Develops content strategies that align organizational priorities with audience interests and communication objectives.
• Identifies emerging topics, community interests, trends and cultural moments that create opportunities for timely and relevant communications.
• Identifies opportunities for storytelling across City services, infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, community events and quality-of-life topics.
• Collaborates with Communications & Marketing staff to coordinate content across communication channels.
• Coordinates communications planning and content development timelines to ensure projects are strategically planned, appropriately resourced and executed proactively.
• Ensures consistency in messaging, brand voice and communication standards.

Audience Engagement & Digital Strategy

• Serves as a subject matter expert on audience engagement, digital communication and social media strategy.
• Evaluates audience behaviors, communication preferences and engagement trends to inform communication approaches.
• Recommends strategies to reach underrepresented or difficult-to-reach audiences.
• Researches emerging communication platforms, technologies and trends and evaluates their potential value to the City.
• Identifies and implements innovative approaches to increase awareness, engagement and participation.
• Develops strategies and campaigns that increase audience engagement, reach and growth across City communication channels.

Analytics, Research & Performance Measurement

• Analyzes communication performance data, audience insights and engagement metrics to evaluate effectiveness.
• Develops reports, dashboards, presentations and recommendations that translate performance data into actionable communication strategies.
• Establishes measurable goals and key performance indicators for campaigns and communication initiatives.
• Uses audience insights, research and performance data to refine communication approaches and improve outcomes.
• Supports public engagement efforts by helping evaluate surveys, feedback and other forms of community input.

Multimedia & Campaign Support

• Leads the City's overall video and short-form video strategy, including Reels, Shorts and emerging formats.
• Identifies opportunities to use video, podcasts, digital content and emerging formats to support City objectives.
• Collaborates with internal staff, contractors and creative partners to ensure content aligns with strategic goals.
• Supports development of communication materials, presentations, digital content and public information campaigns.

Departmental & Public Information Support

• Supports assigned City departments/divisions through communication planning, writing, editing and public information activities.
• Assists with media relations, community outreach, event communications and issue-specific communication efforts as assigned.
• Supports communication needs during emergencies, incidents and other time-sensitive situations.
• Serves as a member of the Communications & Marketing team and performs related duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, participating in the on-call PIO schedule and 24/7 social media monitoring rotation.
• Supports efforts of Digital Media Team for visual brand standards

Performs other related duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media or a related field; and four years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, digital communications or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans and integrated campaigns.

Experience using analytics and audience research to guide communication decisions.

Experience developing content strategies and editorial planning processes.

Experience managing social media, digital engagement or public information initiatives.

Demonstrated experience utilizing major social media platforms and digital engagement tools, including content strategy, audience development, analytics and paid social advertising.

Knowledge of strategic communications and marketing principles, including audience segmentation, message development, content strategy and campaign planning.

Experience evaluating communication effectiveness and reporting outcomes to leadership.

Experience planning, implementing and evaluating digital advertising or paid media campaigns.

Experience working in local government, public-sector, nonprofit or similarly complex organizations.

Experience with video, multimedia storytelling and emerging communications technologies.

Familiarity with artificial intelligence tools and their application in communications, audience engagement and content development.

Excellent project management skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Ability to collaborate with team members

Ability to engage community members and partners

Must be able to participate in 24/7 social media monitoring rotation and after-hours and weekends on-call incident response

Physical Requirements

Ability to operate standard office equipment (e.g. personal computer, copier, telephone).

Ability to work in all types of weather conditions specifically for response to police PIO incidents and during events and observances.

Special Requirements

Valid drivers license

Other Requirements

Regular attendance, as governed by and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, procedures and laws, is regarded as an essential requirement of this classification.

Compliance with training directives established by supervisory/managerial personnel. Adherence to all applicable Federal and State safety laws, rules, and regulations and

City safety policies/procedures.

Core Competencies

Core Competencies

Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services, acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people-up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.

Functional/Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.

Problem Solving: Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesnt stop at the first answers.

Dealing with Ambiguity: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isnt upset when things are up in the air; doesnt have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

Time Management: Makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision.

Patience: Is tolerant with people and processes; listens and checks before acting; tries to understand the people and the data before making judgments and acting; waits for others to catch up before acting; sensitive to due process and proper pacing; follows established process.

Action Oriented: Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes more opportunities than others.

Learning on the Fly: Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; analyzes both successes and failures for clues to improvement; experiments and will try anything to find solutions; enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks; quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.

Priority Setting: Spends his/her time and the time of others on whats important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.

Drug-Free Workplace

The City of Dublin is a drug-free workplace (AO 2.35) which prohibits the use of controlled substances including marijuana. As permitted by law and in accordance with City Policy, new hires must pass a pre-employment drug test before appointment to any City position. Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to Administrative Orders 2.38, or as outlined in the posting.

EEO Statement

The City of Dublin is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive and equitable community. We work to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We actively celebrate colleagues' differences, support them through their careers with us, and prohibit discrimination and harassment. We strive to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities that allow individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, motivated, and valued. Creating a culture of equity and belonging helps to ensure we meet the needs of all residents, visitors, and City of Dublin employees.

HEALTH BENEFITS

The City of Dublin offers a high deductible health care plan through United Healthcare that provides 100% coverage for preventative care. Employee or family coverage is available. Additionally our integrated wellness program, Healthy by Choice (HBC), allows employees to earn a waiver of all or a portion of the medical plan premiums.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT/HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT

Annually, the City will deposit 75% of your health insurance deductible amount into an HSA account in your name.

VISION AND DENTAL

The City pays 100% of the premium for dental and vision. Coverage levels will be explained in further detail at time of hire.

LIFE INSURANCE

The City pays 100% of the premium for 1.5 times your salary up to $150,000 term life insurance coverage for the employee. Supplemental insurance is available.

RETIREMENT PENSION

The City contributes 14% monthly toward retirement benefits offered through the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System. The employee pension payment share is 10% of gross salary.

VACATION

New employees accrue two weeks of paid vacation their first year. Vacation time increases with length of service time. Prior public service may be honored as service credit for vacation accrual.

PERSONAL LEAVE

Employees receive five prorated days of personal leave annually.

SICK LEAVE

Employees are advanced three sick days at the time of hire and accrue nine sick days in total annually.

OTHER

Eleven (11) paid holidays per year, employer paid short term disability, tuition/certification reimbursement of up to $7,000 annually, recreation membership and longevity pay after four years of full time completed service with the City of Dublin.

01

Do you have at least five years of experience in news, digital marketing, strategic communications, public relations or similar field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least two years of experience managing social media for an organization?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a Bachelors Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or other relevant field?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Dublin

Address 5555 Perimeter Drive

Dublin, Ohio, 43017

Phone 614-410-4476

Website https://dublinohiousa.gov/