Communications and Engagement Manager

Salary: $91,958.00 - $101,386.00 Annually

Location : Elgin, IL

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number:

Department: COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Opening Date: 09/24/2025

Closing Date: 10/8/2025 11:59 PM Central

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

The Communications and Engagement Manager, a key member of the City of Elgin's communications and engagement team, plays a pivotal role in advancing citywide communication and community engagement initiatives. This is a hands-on, leadership-level position responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing efforts that foster clear, proactive and consistent communication, ensuring residents are well informed about city services and priorities.

The Manager translates the city's strategies and policies into action through effective staff management, compelling storytelling and proactive communications. This role requires an experienced communicator who thrives on writing and editing, brings creativity to problem-solving, and can anticipate issues before they arise. Working with minimal supervision, the Manager also supervises specialists and multimedia staff, providing leadership, direction and guidance to achieve departmental goals.

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Communications & Project Management: Lead communication and engagement projects and initiatives in collaboration with various city departments. This includes strategic planning, research, story identification, content creation and performance measurement.

Oversee Digital Engagement Strategy: Guide the city's online presence, ensuring effective use of digital platforms (social media, website, newsletters, video) and providing direction on when and how to best leverage tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite and emerging platforms.

Content Leadership & Writing: Research, write, and edit press releases, newsletters, speeches and storytelling pieces. Serve as lead editor for departmental content, ensuring clarity, accuracy and consistency with AP style and city standards.

Community Insights: Monitor media coverage, social conversations and emerging issues to anticipate risks and opportunities. Provide proactive advice to city leadership.

Staff Supervision: Supervise communications specialists and multimedia staff, providing coaching, feedback and professional development.

Spokesperson Role: Serve as the primary spokesperson for daily news and media interactions, and as an alternate spokesperson on behalf of the city when delegated by the Director or City Manager's Office.

Crisis Communication: Lead or assist in managing and executing crisis communication strategies.

Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Ability to thrive in public-facing settings; engaging, confident and approachable.

Strong project management skills; able to balance multiple priorities independently.

Team player with strong collaboration skills.

Proactive approach and the ability to exercise judgment, discretion and initiative in handling complex tasks.

Creative problem-solving and innovative communication strategies.

Adaptability in tailoring communication style for different audiences and forums.

Flexibility to support occasional evening/weekend events.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

At least seven years of experience in communications, with a minimum of two years supervising staff.

Demonstrated expertise in writing, editing and strategic storytelling.

Proficiency in AP style.

Experience working with diverse communities; strong cultural sensitivity.

Experience with public speaking or serving as media spokesperson or in media relations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing - press releases, speeches, newsletters, storytelling; ability to write with clarity, accuracy and adherence to AP style.

Proven ability to lead, mentor and develop staff; manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.

Experience in strategic communications: planning campaigns, identifying stories, monitoring media, anticipating risks, and advising leadership.

Proficiency with digital media tools (social media platforms, website content tools, content creation tools like Canva and Adobe Creative Suite), and comfort leveraging them strategically.

Submission of a professional portfolio demonstrating excellence in writing and communications, including samples such as press releases, newsletters, or other relevant work.

Experience with analytics/monitoring tools (e.g., social media analytics, media monitoring, feedback loops).

PREFERRED:

Experience in local government or public sector communications.

Knowledge of crisis communication planning and execution.

Familiarity with accessibility standards for content (e.g., ADA, etc.).

Certifications in public relations, digital communications or relevant training.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Benefits:

The City of Elgin offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and voluntary programs such as FSAs and 457b deferred compensation. Employees enjoy paid time off, paid parental leave and wellness programs.

Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

A supportive and inclusive work environment.Application Process: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio demonstrating your work.

Note: The responsibilities and qualifications listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The City of Elgin is an equal opportunity employer.

1) Vacation -

1 to 5 years of service - 2 weeks

6 to 11 years of service - 3 weeks

12 to 21 years of service - 4 weeks

22 or more years of service - 5 weeks

The city manager, in the city manager's discretion, may also include up to five (5) years of non-City of Elgin prior professional or supervisory service of an employee in the same or similar field in determining years of service of an employee for the purpose of vacation at initial hire. If an employee is granted vacation accrual in a higher range than one (1) to five (5) years of service, he or she shall not advance to the next range until he or she has attained the required number of years of service with the city for such range.

The accumulation of vacation leave shall be limited as provided by Ordinance No. S11-09, as amended.

2) Sick Leave - For employees hired prior to March 1, 2010, fifteen (15) days placed on account upon commencement of employment plus annual accrual of one day (8 hours) per month. For employees hired on or after March 1, 2010, fifteen (15) days placed on account when commencing employment, plus annual accrual of .5 days (4 hours) per month. Employees may accumulate sick leave up to a total maximum accrual of 241 sick days, which is the equivalent of 1928 hours of sick leave.

3) Life Insurance - in an amount equal to the nearest $1,000 of the employee's annual base salary.

4) Holidays - New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

5) Personal Days - Three (3) personal days shall be provided per year. Employees commencing employment between January 1 and June 30 in a year shall receive all three (3) personal days for such year. Employees commencing employment between July 1 and December 31 in a year shall receive one (1) personal day for such year. Employees in the Public Safety Communications Shift Supervisor position that are assigned to a 12-hour work day shall instead receive 36 hours of personal time if they commence employment between January 1 and June 30 in a year and 12 hours of personal time if commencing employment between July 1 and December 31 for such year.

An annual ordinance, ordained by the City Council of The City of Elgin, establishing pay and benefit plans for certain appointed officers and employees of the City of Elgin exists. Refer to this ordinance for more detailed information.

Additional benefits include

• Vision

• Dental

• Voluntary Life

• Flexible Spending account

• Retirement - IMRF

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Deferred Compensation

• Direct Deposit

• Open Door Policy

• Centre membership

• In-house training programs

01

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