Director of Communications & Media Relations

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Job Category: Public Relations | Marketing
Job ID: 72075
Employment Type:
Salary:
Posted: 01.13.2025

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Occupations:

Job Description:

ABOUT THE CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
The Cambridge Police Department is a dedicated and diverse group of professionals who are committed to working with the community to make the City of Cambridge a safe and desirable place to live, work, pray or visit. Our mission is to partner with the community to solve problems and improve public safety in a manner that is fair, impartial, transparent, and consistent.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Police Commissioner or their designee, manages a coordinated and integrated plan for all media relations, public affairs and communication strategies for the Department.  As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Communications and Media Relations will be responsible for the development and management of the strategic content for the Department across print, broadcast and digital media. This position works cooperatively with leadership and department staff with the objective to establish and maintain public confidence, trust and regard for the Department. Enhances and assures public awareness of Department initiatives, programs and activities through various platforms including the Department’s website and official social media accounts.  The Director of Communications and Media Relations will act as the official spokesperson for the Department.  Duties include but are not limited to:

• Promotes the Department via a comprehensive print, broadcast, and digital media relations program.
• Develops effective relationships with the media, community organizations and City agencies, to broaden the Department’s outreach, transparency and accountability efforts.  
• Acts as primary liaison and spokesperson with the media and public/community interest groups; represents the Department at various meetings and/or events as assigned.
• Coordinates publicity concerning Department programs, initiatives, and activities by arranging press conferences, hosting media and community partners for demonstrations, and preparing, reviewing, and evaluating news releases; Identifies newsworthy Department activities and events.
• Provides primary oversight, management, content development and responsibility for department publications, website, social media accounts and mobile applications.
• Develops, edits and maintains visual assets including video, photographs, podcasts, graphics, images and adaptations of printed designs for digital use.
• Manages use of original artwork or adaptation of printed designs to produce digital interactive media.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of existing communications products and platforms and develops or revises strategies accordingly.
• Fosters a spirit and practice around innovation that identifies and incubates ideas at all levels of the organization, promoting the transfer of knowledge and the expansion of successful initiatives.
• Participates in the fiscal year goal setting and strategic planning initiatives.
• Supports the Department’s transparency efforts by developing strategic communications surrounding the Department’s data dashboard and use of force reporting to the community.
• Participates in working groups which support the Department’s internal and external communication efforts. Examples include the Commissioner’s internal advisory group, the City’s Communication Group and the Kendall Square Security Network.
• Responsible for electronic community notifications including systems (for example, CodeRed, Tip411, Nextdoor etc.)
• Provides ongoing media training of Department Staff, as necessary.
• Support the Department’s recruitment efforts through targeted media campaigns and community outreach.
• Provide oversight, direction and support to the Director of Community Outreach and other staff as assigned.
• Works on special projects as assigned by the Police Commissioner and prepares written documents and reports as requested.
• Work collaboratively the City’s Public Information Office.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 
Experience and Education:

• Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in writing, editing, creating and publishing both print and digital media. Additional experience is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with utilizing major social media platforms. Strong experience with web content development and management.
• Excellent organizational, planning, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in simplifying complex and technical messages to effectively communicate to diverse sets of stakeholders.
• Ability to produce in-house graphics, publications and collateral materials.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access).
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Google Analytics highly desirable.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of publicity/public relations and work in order make appropriate recommendations. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to identify, craft and present newsworthy stories.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Must be able to learn complicated information quickly and be able to develop messaging to communicate with diverse audiences through a variety of traditional and new media communication vehicles.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with senior leaders, media contacts, and subject matter experts.
• Excellent communication, writing, storytelling, and presentation skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to produce clear, compelling, motivating communications quickly.
• Strong written, verbal, photographic and video skills required.
• Deep sense of humility, curiosity, and learning-orientation.
• High ethical standards and personal integrity.
• Ability to work in a time-sensitive but highly confidential environment.
• Work outside typical business hours, as needed, to assist journalists and staff in meeting deadlines and/or supporting special events.
• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior public information or media experience in Public Safety and/or local government communications
• Familiarity with the Cambridge community.
• Experience in crisis communications preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is conducted primarily in an office environment with fluorescent lighting, but also involves meetings in other offices or facilities. Ability to use office equipment efficiently; ability to travel to meetings and site visits in various locations in or around Cambridge. Normal office working conditions with regular extended work hours and/or weekends. Must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless otherwise agreed upon. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.