Job Description

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$83,530.00 - $108,500.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range:

$83,530.00 – $108,500.00 Annually

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: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

The City of Baltimore Department of Human Resources (DHR) is seeking an organized, strategic, and highly collaborative executive to serve as Chief of Communications & Strategic Initiatives. Reporting directly to the Director/Chief Human Capital Officer, this executive leadership role serves as a trusted advisor responsible for executive communications, strategic planning implementation, organizational change, and high-priority initiatives that advance the Department’s mission and enterprise workforce goals.
As a member of DHR's Senior Executive Leadership Team, the Chief of Communications & Strategic Initiatives leads the Department's internal and external communications strategy, protects and strengthens the agency's reputation, advances the Department's Strategic Plan, and oversees high-priority initiatives that support organizational transformation and workforce excellence.
The successful candidate is an exceptional communicator, strategic thinker, and relationship builder who can translate complex issues into clear, compelling messaging while leading cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced public sector environment.

Essential Functions

Executive Communications & Public Affairs

• Serve as principal communications advisor to the Director/Chief Human Capital Officer.
• Develop executive speeches, presentations, testimony, briefing materials, correspondence, and talking points.
• Ensure consistent executive messaging across internal and external communications.
• Serve as DHR's Public Information Officer and primary communications liaison to the Mayor's Office, City Council, media, and external stakeholders.
• Lead media relations, crisis communications, and public messaging on departmental priorities and emerging issues.

Strategic Communications & Reputation Management

• Develop and execute comprehensive internal and external communications strategies that advance DHR's mission and strategic priorities.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen DHR's reputation as a trusted partner to City leadership, employees, applicants, and the public.
• Oversee the Department's brand, digital communications, website, social media, marketing campaigns, and communication standards.
• Monitor communication performance, public engagement, media coverage, and campaign effectiveness to drive continuous improvement.

Change Management & Organizational Communications

• Lead communication strategies that support organizational change, policy implementation, workforce transformation, and major departmental initiatives.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans that build understanding, trust, and support during periods of change.
• Partner with executive leadership to anticipate communication risks and proactively address employee and stakeholder concerns.

Strategic Planning & Initiative Implementation

• Coordinate implementation of the Department's Strategic Plan by tracking executive priorities, initiatives, milestones, and deliverables.
• Develop executive dashboards, reports, and performance measures that support strategic decision making.
• Lead cross-functional special projects and enterprise initiatives assigned by the Director.
• Identify implementation risks and recommend strategies to ensure successful execution of departmental priorities.

Executive Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction to communications staff and project teams.
• Participate in executive leadership meetings and contribute to organizational strategy, operational planning, and decision making.
• Build collaborative relationships across City agencies, elected officials, community organizations, and external partners.
• Support continuity of operations during emergencies and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Management, or related field from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience: Have six years of experience in professional-level administrative, operations, or technical work. Previous work lead experience may be required.

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certificates: A valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver's license or an equivalent driver's license and eligible to obtain a Baltimore City driver’s permit may be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public and business administration and management, including the process of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling.
• Knowledge of project management, organizational change, performance measurement, and continuous improvement principles.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures for the collection or organization, interpretation and presentation of information.
• Knowledge of management practices and methods.
• Ability to develop executive-level communications, reports, presentations, testimony, briefing materials, and recommendations
• Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with organizational priorities.
• Ability to identify organizational challenges, analyze alternatives, and develop practical, strategic solutions.
• Ability to manage complex projects, establish priorities, and successfully execute multiple competing initiatives.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving multiple departments, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of professional staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, elected officials, City agencies, community organizations, media representatives, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, before governmental bodies, executive leadership, community organizations, and the public.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives, organizational change, and enterprise-level projects within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, political awareness, discretion, and professionalism when managing sensitive or high-profile matters.
• Ability to adapt and apply the concepts and techniques of administrative analysis to the needs of specific projects.

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 must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory six-month probation.

Residency Requirement & Financial Disclosure

This position is subject to Article I, Section 7-10 of the Baltimore City Code, which mandates that the incumbent both reside and be a registered voter of Baltimore City at the time of appointment or sign a declaration of intent to become a City resident and registered voter within 6 months of the effective date of their appointment. Failure to comply with the declaration of intent will result in immediate termination. You will also be required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

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. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER