Director of Communications & Public Engagement

Director of Communications & Public Engagement

Salary

$125,000.00 - $150,000.00 Annually

Location

900 Church St, Lynchburg, VA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

03614

Department

Communications & Pub Engagement

Division

Communications & Pub Engagement

Opening Date

06/02/2026

Closing Date

6/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Lynchburg is seeking a visionary and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Director of Communications and Public Engagement. The next Director will inherit a team of dedicated communications professionals who serve a vibrant and thriving City. The person filling this role will be an ambassador and advocate for City government, will thrive on the opportunity to connect with the community we serve, and will lead our City's communications efforts into the City's future.

For more information about this exciting opportunity, and the application process, view the Director of Communications and Public Engagement Recruitment Profile.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit an application, including completed supplemental questions, cover letter, and resume with three (3) professional references and two (2) personal references.

Applications will be accepted through June 16, 2026.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for determining priorities, goals and objectives to ensure City communications are current, accurate, effective, and timely; ensures appropriate dissemination of information from all City departments and services.
• Responsible for oversight of the City's Citizens First Customer Service Center, City government television programming, public relations and special events, and community engagement efforts, ensuring effective communication and promotion of City services, initiatives, and priorities through print, internet, social media, and other communication channels.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates complex communications, public engagement, and special event initiatives; collaborates with City departments, City leadership, community members, elected and appointed officials, and the media to support major City initiatives, promote public awareness, and foster community engagement.
• Prepares speeches, talking points, proclamations and subject matter briefs for City Council and City Manager as necessary.
• Develops and evaluates policies and procedures to effectively carry out departmental operations; promotes staff collaboration, innovation and critical thinking in developing solutions and approaches to departmental issues.
• Serves as the organization's Public Information Officer during emergencies and coordinates the dissemination of emergency messages through the City's emergency notification system. Oversees the operation of the Joint Information Center (JIC) during emergencies.
• Responsible for overall management of the department; including budget research, development, preparation and budget monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness. Ensures that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with City administrative policies and procedures.
• Develops proposals and reports and presents recommendations to City management, City Council and to other groups.
• Continually evaluates and manages the Citys brand position.
• Leads city-wide communications and reviews other departments initiatives as needed.
• Collaborates with other organizations and agencies to serve the best interests of the City of Lynchburg.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• May be required to be on-call and to work non-standard hours including occasional weekends.
• Other duties to provide directly or indirectly services to citizens as may be assigned.
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises two management-level employees and provides overall leadership and indirect supervision for a department of fourteen (14) full-time employees within the Communications and Public Engagement Department, including Customer Service Center and Broadcast Services operations.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Communications or related field
• 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of these specific requirements

Additional Requirements

• Possession of valid drivers license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria. View Driving Criteria here.
• Relevant background checks must be completed satisfactorily.
• Residency within the City of Lynchburg limits preferred.
• Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the Citys goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services.

• Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS);

the City's contribution is based on a rate determined bi-annually by the VRS Board and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit

• Life insurance at no cost to the employee

• Optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.

• Eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance

• Paid Time Off

• Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the position

Employees of the City of Lynchburg may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for federal student loans

Additional information about City benefits can be found on our website and in the Employment Policies & Procedures

01

Describe how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for the Director of Communications and Public Engagement position.

02

Describe your role with Public Engagement initiatives and the outcome for these initiatives.

03

The City of Lynchburg serves residents with a variety of needs, interests, and perspectives. As Director of Communications and Public Engagement, how would you ensure City communications, programs, and outreach efforts effectively serve the entire community?

04

This position requires a valid drivers license and acceptable driving record history. I certify that I have read the DMV Record Release Notice, and give the City of Lynchburg permission to obtain my Virginia Driving Record.

• Yes
• No
• I do not currently possess a Virginia Drivers License

05

If you answered in the above question that you currently possess a Virginia Drivers License, please provide your License Number.

06

(Current Out-of-State applicants and applicants who have had an Out-of-State Drivers License at any time in the last 3 years): I agree to provide, WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF MY APPLICATION, a copy of my driving record from that state where I am currently licensed or have been licensed within the past 3 years. I will contact Human Resources within 2 weeks if I am unable to obtain my out of state driving record in that time. I understand that my application may not be considered for this position until I submit my out of state driving record. You can email this information to human.resources@lynchburgva.gov, or fax to 434-845-4304 or mail this information to Human Resources, 900 Church Street, Lynchburg VA 24504. Include the name of the position for which you are applying. If you have a driving record less than 30 days old you can upload as an attachment to your application.

• Agree to provide record within 2 weeks of application date
• Do not agree (I understand I will no longer be considered for this position if I disagree.)
• Not applicable (I have not had an Out-of-State Drivers License during the past 3 years.

Required Question

Employer City of Lynchburg

Address 900 Church Street

Lynchburg, Virginia, 24504

Phone (434) 455-4200

Website https://www.lynchburgva.gov/human-resources