Job Posting - Director of Media Services

Director of Media Services

Organization: City of Des Plaines, Illinois
Salary: Salary range is from $76,447 to $99,381; starting salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience and includes an excellent benefit package.
Close Date: Open until filled

Job Description:

The City of Des Plaines seeks an innovative and energetic professional to lead and manage the City’s public affairs, communications, marketing and advertising programs. Des Plaines has a population of 58,364 and covers 15.85 sq. miles. It is a vibrant community of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Des Plaines is ideally located 17 miles from the Chicago Loop and five minutes from O’Hare International Airport. The City welcomed the Rivers Casino and entertainment complex in 2011.

Des Plaines operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The City Council consists of a Mayor and eight Aldermen each representing a separate Ward. The City has a total 2014 budget of $156,310,946, an operating budget of $64,359,103 and 368 full-time employees.

The Director of Media Services reports directly to and is responsible to the City Manager to lead and manage the City’s public affairs, communications and marketing programs. This work involves continuous interaction with the City Manager, department heads and the City Council. Manage the execution of the City’s strategic marketing and communication plan. Provides direction and leadership to assigned professional staff and is responsible for City's web site, cable channel, video production, media relations and printed publications; monitors the activities of cable companies for compliance with franchise agreements and responds to service complaints; organizes special events; develops and recommends Citywide communications policy and procedures and encourages City departments to support and comply with same; interprets existing federal, state and local law, ordinances and policy and determines the impact on City, supervises subordinate staff and develops and monitors the Media Services budget.

Candidates must have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in communications, television production, marketing/advertising or a closely related field and have at least three years of progressively responsible experience in media communications, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ideal candidates will have experience developing and executing advertising campaigns that include negotiations with partners and vendors. Have experience on tactical execution of strategies. Working knowledge of video and audio technology systems, production, and programming; Public, Education and Government (PEG) cable access channel programming and operations; website design and maintenance and cable franchise policies and procedures. The Director will be a strategic thinker with proven success and leadership; have extensive knowledge of marketing communication; be comfortable with sharing and debating their opinion and ideas; enjoy being part of a team but takes pride in their specific role; have excellent analytical skills; be creative and resourceful in the way they go about solving problems; have strong writing and communication skills; have experience in all forms of media including video, print, and social media.

Salary range is from $76,447 to $99,381; starting salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience and includes an excellent benefit package. Residency within the City of Des Plaines is not required. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume with current salary to: Slavin Management Consultants; 3040 Holcomb Bridge Road, A-1; Norcross, GA 30071; phone (770) 449-4656; email slavin@bellsouth.net; fax (770) 416-0848 (prefer email)

Additional information about the City of Des Plaines can be obtained at www.desplaines.org.

This recruitment shall remain open until the position is filled. EOE