Communications and Public Engagement Manager

Become the City’s first ever Communications & Public Engagement Manager! This is a unique opportunity to define your role and make a lasting impact on a flourishing community!

The City of Newark is seeking an innovative Communications & Public Engagement Manager who is a creative and strategic leader to drive Newark’s citywide communications, branding, and public engagement efforts. In this high-impact role, you’ll manage media relations, digital platforms, and community outreach campaigns that promote transparency, inclusivity, and civic pride.

As the City’s Public Information Officer, you’ll oversee sensitive communications, lead a citywide branding initiative, and craft communications that strengthen Newark’s identity - internally and externally. You’ll play a critical role in how residents, businesses, service organizations and other partners experience and connect with the City.

This role is your opportunity to lead bold storytelling, showcase Newark’s unique identity, and build trust across every corner of our City. From citywide campaigns to strategic community spirit projects, your work will shape how Newark communicates and celebrates its values, vision, and voice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day operations of the City’s communications and engagement efforts, including managing the website, intranet, social media, and multimedia content.
• Advise senior leadership on strategic communications, branding, and public engagement best practices.
• Represent the City at community events and develop initiatives that promote civic engagement and public trust.
• Track and analyze engagement metrics to evaluate and improve communication effectiveness.
• Support departments with messaging consistency, staff training, and public engagement techniques.
• Monitor trends in media, technology, and community engagement to enhance the City’s outreach strategies.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, elected officials, media outlets, and community organizations.
• Serve as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO), including media interviews, press conferences, and crisis communication.
• Manage communication during emergencies and ensure timely, accurate information is shared with the public.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical path includes:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, English, or a related field
• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, media relations, or a related communication field
• Experience managing digital content, public outreach campaigns, or branding projects

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a creative and strategic communicator with a strong understanding of local government operations, political dynamics, and a passion for community engagement. They are politically astute, with the ability to navigate sensitive issues, manage high-profile situations, and communicate effectively with elected officials, stakeholders, and the public. They have experience developing and implementing effective messaging strategies, and building meaningful relationships within city staff, elected and appointed officials and the broader community. This individual excels in both verbal and written communication and has a keen eye for storytelling. They have led high-impact branding and outreach projects. They can demonstrate their strengths managing digital engagement, multichannel communication and public-facing campaigns. They are innovative and resourceful, always seeking to improve communication methods and explore new ways to connect with their constituents or customers. Bilingual and biliterate skills in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hindi, or Tagalog is a plus.

The ideal candidate will support the City’s mission to serve and partner with our community to continually enhance the quality of life of everyone in Newark, and exemplify the City’s PRIDE values—Personal Service, Resourcefulness, Innovation, Diversity, and Engagement—in every aspect of their communications leadership. They will deliver outstanding Personal Service through clear, responsive, and audience-focused messaging. Their Resourcefulness will shine in developing strategic communications plans that adapt to changing needs and maximize available tools. With a commitment to Innovation, they will leverage new platforms and creative storytelling techniques to enhance public understanding and trust. They will promote Diversity by ensuring inclusive representation in all communications and fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued. Through meaningful Engagement, they will cultivate strong relationships with internal teams, community partners, and the public to support the City’s mission and goals.

The City offers an outstanding benefits package that includes:

• 9/80 Work Schedule: City Hall is closed every other Friday.
• Remote Work Schedule: Typically considered after completion of the probationary period; employees must work on-site a minimum of three days per week.
• Professional Development: We make career development a priority by providing mentoring, coaching, job shadowing, leadership academies, and other training, networking and teambuilding opportunities.
• Health Insurance: The City contributes the following amounts to employee health and welfare benefits:
  • Employee only: $932
  • Employee + 1 dependent: $1,862
  • Employee + 2 or more dependents: $2,460

If employee declines any or part of the City's cafeteria plan, employee may receive up to $450 cashout per month. Any cashout will be paid to the employee in taxable compensation. Proof of medical insurance is required.

• Retirement: CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 for Classic members or 2.0% @ 62 for New PEPRA members. The City does not participate in Social Security. The City participates in Medicare.
• General Leave: 184 to 264 hours of general leave accrual each year, depending on length of service. Up to 80 hours of general leave may be converted to pay per fiscal year.
• Management Leave: Up to 56 hours per fiscal year.
• Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year.
• Deferred Compensation, Flexible Spending Account, and Pet Benefits: Voluntary participation.
• Life Insurance: City-paid $50,000 policy.
• Educational Reimbursement: Up to $10,000 lifetime benefit.
• Long-term and Short-term Disability: Voluntary participation.
• Health Allowance: $100/month.
• Health & Wellness: On-site bicycle lockers; employees and eligible family members have free use of the gym, exercise equipment and aquatic facilities at the Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center, as well as resident rates for classes and rentals