Communications Director

Communications Director

Mayor Katie Wilson's election was powered by thousands of people from every corner of Seattle who came together around a shared vision that it's time for something new something more hopeful, more just, and more equitable. A vision that we can tackle big challenges and carry out ambitious projects. That we can take on the affordability crisis, bring people inside, and make our city a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

As a coalition builder, she understands that we're in this together. No matter what neighborhood you live in, where you grew up, or how much money you make, you have a right to be here and to live a dignified life. She regularly reminds Seattleites every day that "This is your City."

To achieve this new kind of participatory and inclusive governance, Mayor Wilson seeks a seasoned Communications Director who can translate the Mayor's policy agenda, vision, and values into a public narrative that connects with everyday people in Seattle and engages them in their city government.

The Communications Director reports to the Deputy Mayor, is an integral member of the Mayor's Senior Leadership team, and serves as the Mayor's chief communications advisor. The Director leads a multi-disciplinary communications team that covers all aspects of public communications: media relations, digital and social media channels, speech writing, website and blog development, constituent services and communication, and internal employee communication. They will work in a fast-paced office, communicating daily with Seattle residents, visitors, and workers.

The Communications Director will join the Wilson team after a three-month interim leadership period in which a strong foundation of systems and strategy has been developed. We are looking for a Communications Director ready to step into this program and drive execution with our talented team.

This is an exciting moment for municipal leadership. Progressive Mayors elected across the country are driving agendas focused on affordability and sustainability. Join us to help tell Seattle's story of what is possible when we work together to translate this vision into action.

Job Responsibilities

You will be responsible for the following:

• Strategic Communications Leadership:
  • Executing Mayor's Office communications in alignment with established core values, policy priorities, and messages
  • Guiding media relations, including messaging, interview preparation, and press engagement
  • Supporting drafting and review of press releases, statements, advisories, and other public-facing materials in strong partnership with subject matter staff
  • Monitoring emerging issues and developing rapid response strategies
  • Guiding an interactive social media strategy, including core audiences, stories, tone, and brand, for the creative team to drive
  • Developing and managing internal communications that keep the City's workforce informed, engaged, and aligned with the Mayor's vision, fostering transparency, connection, and shared purpose across departments
  • Overseeing Citywide branding and communications, rapid response during Citywide emergencies, and Citywide communications initiatives such as Plain Language and ADA Accessibility
• Communications Systems and Processes:
  • Maintaining strong internal systems for planning, content development, review, and approvals
  • Overseeing workflows for proactive communications, rapid response, and interdepartmental coordination
  • Creating or refining tools, templates, and protocols that improve efficiency and consistency
• Communications Support and Training:
  • Working directly with the Mayor on narrative development, message discipline, and public speaking preparation
  • Coaching senior leadership as needed to enhance clarity, tone, and effectiveness in high-priority engagements
  • Directing and approving briefing materials, talking points, and messaging guidance for major events and decisions in partnership with subject matter Directors and staff
  • Briefing and staffing the Mayor at community and media events, and during interviews
  • Coordinating relevant communications trainings for Mayor's Office staff
• Communications Team Management and Support:
  • Providing mentorship and operational support to the six-member Communications Team
  • Strengthening team coordination, prioritization, and workflow management
  • Maintaining a collaborative and organized team environment that supports high-quality, timely, and creative communications
  • Building upon the capacity of Cabinet members to represent the Mayor's vision with clarity and confidence, strengthening citywide alignment in public communication.
• Senior Leadership Team Participation:
  • Serving as a member of the Mayor's Senior Leadership Team
  • Offering strategic insight into issues management, narrative alignment, and proactive communication opportunities
  • Building a strong partnership with the Director of Community Relations and a collaborative culture across the communications and community relations teams
  • Partnering with Cabinet members and city department communications leads to ensure congruent, timely, and aligned citywide messaging
• Collaboration and Relationship Building:
  • Working collaboratively with departmental communicators to amplify programs, services, and initiatives, ensuring residents and workers receive timely, accurate information.
  • Building and maintaining strong reciprocal relationships with local and national media and, along with the Press Secretary, serving as an on-the-record spokesperson for the Mayor and the City of Seattle

Qualifications

In addition to the ability to perform the tasks described above, you'll be most prepared to successfully take on this role with a combination of the following:

• Skills:
  • Operating with clarity and calm
  • Leading a communications strategy in a political space
  • Utilizing systems to manage a complex communications enterprise
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships, particularly with the press
  • Using data to support decision-making in a communications context
  • Communicating with a race and social justice lens
• Vision:
  • Strategic clarity about mass communications strategies directly to and with the public
  • Clear vision about progressive governance
  • Storytelling and strong narrative capacity
• Experience:
  • Stabilizing and strengthening communications functions
  • Managing a communications team, including supporting staff growth, holding a team accountable for their performance, maintaining clear lines of responsibility, and building a welcoming, inclusive team environment
  • Working with and inside government
  • Providing guidance to leadership and acting as a trusted expert in public-facing communications
  • Delivering quality content under time constraints while maintaining attention to detail
  • Serving as a media liaison
  • Developing content for engagement with media (such as talking points, press releases, responses to inquiries, speeches, etcetera)
• Abilities:
  • Communicating nuance with sensitive and politically controversial topics
  • Maintaining alignment with Mayor's Office goals and key priorities
  • Resolving conflicts and incorporating lessons learned going forward
  • Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets
  • Working in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines every day

Additional Information

This position is classified as an Executive 3. It is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime), as well as exempt from the Civil Service system. The full pay range for this position is $78.96 - $130.31 per hour. The salary range for this individual position has been identified as $101.43 - $104.64 per hour.

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled to take place virtually (using Microsoft Teams) the week of August 10, 2026. Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place in person the week of August 17, 2026.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

This is an in-person position. Employees will be expected to be in