Job Description
THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION
CITY OF BALTIMORE , BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL , Office of the City Council President Communications Manager
SALARY RANGE: $61,163-$97,712 STARING SALARY: $$61,163-$79,438
HOURS: 9-5 pm, with some evenings as required ; in person Mon-Thurs with remote work on Friday.
Get to Know Us Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The City offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here:
SUMMARY OF POSITION The Office of the City Council President-elect Zeke Cohen is hiring a Communications Manager to own our digital presence and support our earned media work. This role sits at the center of how the office communicates with both the public and the media, from drafting press advisories to producing social posts.
This position reports directly to the Director of Communications and works closely with Council President Cohen and senior legislative staff. The right candidate will come with their own ideas, strong instincts, and the initiative to execute.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (The following examples illustrate the work performed in the positions in the class. Positions may require some or all of these examples depending on the organization of work within the agency. This list is not inclusive. A position may require related duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the agency.)
Digital & Social Media
- Own the office's social media presence across platforms, from strategy and content calendar to day-of execution and real-time response.
- Write and produce content that connects policy work to the people it affects, making complex legislation legible and compelling to a general audience.
- Collaborate with staff photographer to shoot and edit short-form video content, with an eye for what actually performs and informs the public.
- Develop and maintain a consistent visual and editorial voice across platforms that reflects the Office of the Council President's priorities.
Media Relations
- Draft press releases, statements, and media advisories and help shape the office's proactive media strategy.
- Build and maintain relationships with Baltimore's press corps.
- Support rapid response when stories break, advising on messaging and timing.
- Adapt quickly when priorities shift without losing sight of the longer-term communications strategy.
Cross-functional
Partner with legislative staff to translate bill language and policy priorities into public-facing narratives.
- Prepare office staff for media appearances, interviews, and public events.
- Collaborate across teams and navigate the competing priorities that come with turning internal work into external-facing content.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Associate’s degree.
EXPERIENCE Five (5) years of experience in communications, journalism, political campaigns, or a closely related field. Performing complex analytical support for an operational, technical, or administrative function is required.
EQUIVALENCY An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
EDUCATION ACCREDITATION:
LICENSE, REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS N/A.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
You may be a good fit if you:
- Have 3–5 years of experience in communications, journalism, political communications, or a closely related field.
- Know how to write for social and write for press, and understand these distinct styles are not the same thing.
- Can move between strategic thinking and tactical execution without losing quality on either end.
- Are comfortable with the pace of a legislative office during session and the discipline required to keep up with a high-volume news environment.
- Are a strong writer, full stop.
- Strong candidates may also have:
- Experience in government, elected office, or political campaigns
- Background in multimedia content creation
- Familiarity with Baltimore’s political, policy, and media landscape
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Background Check Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening and must be successfully completed.
PROBATION All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.
Financial Disclosure: This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Job Tags
Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Trial period, Shift work, Afternoon shift