Position DescriptionAre you a strategic leader passionate about building strong relationships and delivering an exceptional customer experience? Join Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) as a dynamic Communications Senior Manager and lead our Customer, Community, and Employee Engagement Communications team.
In this high-impact role, you will manage a talented team of 15 communications professionals, with up to five direct reports, to shape TPU’s reputation and drive customer satisfaction. Your expertise will guide all aspects of customer, community, and employee engagement, communications, and media relations. You will have the opportunity to develop and execute innovative strategies for language access, employee, retiree, and community outreach and engagement.
What You’ll Do:- Lead with Impact: Oversee a high-performing team responsible for crafting and executing compelling communication strategies across various channels.
- Build Strong Relationships: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to foster trust and partnership.
- Drive Innovation: Identify opportunities to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations.
- Be a Crisis Manager: Develop, implement, and manage effective crisis communication plans.
- Shape the Future: Contribute to TPU’s strategic direction and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Responsibilities Include:- Leadership
- Oversee the creation and execution of engaging communication strategies, ensuring timely delivery and superior quality
- Drive performance excellence through regular evaluations, targeted training, and effective talent management, including hiring, disciplinary action, and terminations
- Oversee the Communications team’s participation in TPU Executive Leadership meetings, in conjunction with the Utilities Deputy Director, as well as communications support ofthe Director's Office
- Provide policy guidance and direction to the entire organization as a subject matter expert in interpretation of RCW and WAC rules related to advertising, use of utility customer communication channels, communications best practices, Language Access implementation, internal and external crisis response protocols, and reputation risk management and mitigation
Strategy- Manage all aspects of multiple assigned programs, operations and processes
- Coordinate across programs and operations to achieve strategic goals. Lead the dissemination, implementation and reporting of TPU’s Strategic Plan, as well as TPU’s Customer and Employee communications strategies. Oversee Language Access implementation, and ensure cohesive public-facing message coordination across the utility and its divisions
- Participates in strategy development for both TPU and the Customer Experience and External Affairs
Analyze- Manage the performance of analytical work and ensure accuracy
- Lead the measurement, analysis and reporting of project results to the Utilities Deputy Director and TPU’s Executive Leadership Team
- Oversee the development and implementation of performance metrics, policies, procedures and regulations related to customer and employee engagement and communications
Finance- Participates in department financial activities including budget development and procurement
- Manage cost center expenditures of approximately $5 million per biennium
TPU Representative- Serve as a representative of TPU and the Customer Experience and External Affairs group as spokesperson to media, trade associations and at conferences
- Participate on cross-jurisdictional workgroups and committees
Qualifications Minimum Education* Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing or directly related field
Minimum Experience* 6 years of public information, community engagement/outreach and/or marketing experience including 1 year prior as supervisor or manager
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Desired - Three years of experience as a supervisor or manager overseeing marketing, communications, and/or media and public relations
- Utility communications experience
Selection Process & Supplemental InformationThis recruitment is being managed by Joanna Hambrick; if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play
. The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.
Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.
Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 4pm on the closing date of this posting.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 8/26/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
