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Senior Communications and Marketing Analyst

City of Lake Forest
Full-time
On-site
Lake Forest, California, United States
$89,904 - $116,880 USD yearly

Description

โ€œLake Forest, Where Work and Life Come Together Naturally."ย ย 

Are you passionate about shaping the way a city communicates and engages with its community?ย 
Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where creativity meets strategy? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!ย 

The Lake Forest Communications and Marketing Division is seeking a Senior Communications & Marketing Analyst to lead impactful initiatives that promote city operations, services, and events.

As a key player within the Management Services Department, you will work closely with the Communications & Marketing Manager to develop and implement communication and marketing programs that enhance public awareness and foster community support. You will oversee a wide range of projectsโ€”from producing engaging multimedia content to managing the City's website and social media presence, ensuring the Cityโ€™s messages reach a broad and diverse audience.

In this role, your analytical and project management skills will shine as you develop advertising campaigns, coordinate public relations efforts, and produce compelling reports that drive strategic decisions. Youโ€™ll also play a pivotal part in supervising and mentoring staff, managing budgets, and working with various City departments to ensure cohesive messaging across all platforms.

We are looking for an innovative, results-driven professional with government experience and a deep understanding of public relations, marketing, and community engagement. If youโ€™re ready to make a significant impact and lead projects that positively shape the city's image, we invite you to apply and be part of our forward-thinking team!

There will be a first review of applications on Monday, October 28, 2024. ย Prompt application is encouraged, and the position may close at any time.ย ย 


Why work with us? Recruitment Video
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ย Under general direction, performs a full range of complex communications, marketing, and community relations programs for the City; promotes the City and increases awareness of City operations, services, events, and programs; writes, edits, and designs a variety of public information materials; fosters community support for City operations and activities; and coordinates assigned activities with other departments, divisions, outside agencies, and the general public.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level class in the professional Communications & Marketing Analyst series. Positions at this level are responsible for the management and administration of City communication programs, marketing projects, and complex community relations programs.

The Senior Communications & Marketing Analyst classification is distinguished from the Communications & Marketing Analyst classification in that it requires the highest level of knowledge and understanding of public relations, marketing, outreach, communications and community information needs. Polished and experienced interpersonal and mass communication, writing and presentation skills are required. Work requires leadership, initiative, and resourcefulness to accomplish goals and objectives and involves exercising discretion in implementing programs, creating policy statements, and in resolving organizational and service delivery problems.

Examples of Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. ย The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

  1. Performs a variety of difficult, and complex,ย planning, organizing, developing, and implementing City communications, marketing, and community relations programs.ย 
  2. Oversees the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functions and program areas; researches, implements, and administers policies, procedures, and changing business practices and processes for assigned area; coordinates, structures, and oversees ongoing or special programs as assigned.
  3. Coordinates with City staff, departments and divisions to communicate and market City programs and services; recommends marketing and public relations strategies to City departments and divisions.
  4. Oversees and directs in the production and distribution of various internal and external publications including newsletters, brochures, flyers, guides, and calendars; identifies topics, writes, edits, and designs publications; oversees production of City videos.
  5. Administers and maintains the Cityโ€™s website and social media accounts; distributes permissions to employees as appropriate; oversees the production of all written material and graphics posted on the City website and media accounts; develops, reviews, edits, and authorizes content.ย 
  6. Conducts difficult, and complex studies of new and existing programs and special projects; researches and analyzes organization structure, technical data, and fiscal impact to determine feasibility, resolve problems, and increase efficiency; consults with City personnel and outside agencies; develops recommendations; assists with the development of policies and procedures; participates in program implementation and monitoring activities; serves as project manager for assigned projects.
  7. Develops, implements, and administers advertising campaigns for City programs and services. Composes press releases and communicates regularly with local media.
  8. Prepares and presents comprehensive analytical and statistical reports that present and interpret data, identify alternatives, and present and justify conclusions, forecasts, and recommendations based on data summaries and other findings.
  9. Selects, supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of support staff.
  10. Participates in and oversees budget development and administration for assigned area of responsibility; coordinates, forecasts, researches, prepares and analyzes proposed expenditures; prepares reports and analyses related to impact of budgetary decisions; prepares financial forecasts; tracks and monitors budget expenditures.
  11. Resolves difficult, complex operational and administration issues; identifies issues and conducts research to find alternative solutions; makes and assists in the implementation of recommendations.
  12. Plans, manages, and evaluates activities associated with difficult and complex contracts; research and evaluate proposed contractual obligations and agreements; performs contract negotiations and administration; monitors compliance with applicable contractual agreements.
  13. Provides assistance to management staff on difficult and complex matters; participates on and provides staff support to a variety of committees and boards; prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
  14. Coordinates assigned services and project activities with other City programs, functions, boards, committees, and task forces as well as external organizations and agencies and the general public; coordinates with, interacts with, and shares knowledge, issues, and status with appropriate parties.
  15. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of communications and marketing.
  16. Represents the City effectively in meetings with commissions, community groups, governmental bodies, the media, and the public.
  17. Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen complaints and inquiries.
  18. Utilizes critical thinking skills through the use of logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  19. Authors written materials, including staff reports, using a prescribed format and conforming to all rules, including punctuation, grammar, diction, and style; prepares staff reports on a variety of complex subjects for review by management staff and City Council.
  20. Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operational characteristics, services and activities of a public relations program; principles and practices of marketing, advertising, and public relations; principles and practices of public administration; organization and operation of municipal government; methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation; principles and practices of program development and administration; organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs related to area of assignment; principles and practices of contract negotiation, preparation and monitoring; principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis; techniques and formulae for administrative, financial, and comparative analyses; methods and techniques of effective technical, administrative, and financial record keeping, report preparation, and presentation; recent developments, research methods, and current literature in the field of public relations; terminology used in area of assignment; principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; principles of business letter writing; office procedures, methods, and equipment including strong computer skills and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; internet web site practices, methods and techniques; methods and techniques of social media use; principles, trends, methods, and techniques used in customer service, public relations, public information, and program education and promotion; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:
Design, coordinate, and implement an effective communications, marketing, and public relations program; perform a full range of responsible and varied professional, analytical duties in providing responsible staff support to a City department; plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate a public relations program; oversee and participate in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures; perform a range of professional analytical, programmatic, and administrative duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative; collect, evaluate, and interpret varied information and data; research, analyze, and formulate recommendations, work plans, and activities regarding planning, technical, and administrative issues; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; develop recommendations for problematic areas and implement and monitor changes; read and interpret plans and specifications; prepare clear and concise technical, administrative and financial reports; prepare clear, accurate and concise tables, schedules, summaries and other materials in statistical and narrative form; establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems; exercise tact, diplomacy and political acumen in dealing with sensitive political, public policy, and community situations; research, negotiate, manage, and monitor contracts and agreements; understand the organization and operation of the City, assigned program, and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; properly interpret, ensure compliance with, and make recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations and policies; identify and respond to community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs; coordinate multiple projects and meet critical deadlines; organize and prioritize timelines and project schedules in an effective and timely manner; participate in the preparation and administration of budgets; operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages; work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person; exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:
A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Education/Training/Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a closely related field and four years of increasingly responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing and management, and journalism; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A Master's Degree is desirable.

Supplemental Information

The physical and mental demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.ย  The employee is required to frequently sit and occasionally walk and stand to access work areas and files; stoop, kneel, or crouch to access or place records or files; lift and carry records and documents, typically weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with City staff, other organizations and the public; occasionally required to deal with applicants and employees in conflict situations.

Work Environment
The employee typically works in office conditions; the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet.ย ย 
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