Communications Manager (59057)

Position Overview
The City is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as our Communications Manager. Operating under the direction of the Assistant City Administrator, this role oversees the City's Communications Division and leads the creation and execution of citywide communications, public information, social media, and brand management strategies.

The ideal candidate is an articulate spokesperson and operational leader who exercises sound judgment in fast-paced environments, maintains high standards for public transparency, and fosters trust across internal teams, elected officials, media outlets, and the broader community.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications & Brand Stewardship

• Develop and implement City communication plans aligned with approved priorities to inform the public, strengthen stakeholder engagement and maintain public trust.
• Serve as the City's brand and communications standards manager, providing strategic oversight of communication channels Citywide to ensure a consistent voice, messaging and organizational identity.
• Identify target audiences, select optimal delivery channels, and determine timing and methodology for citywide announcements and public awareness campaigns.
• Prepare, review, and edit public information materials, press releases, presentations, and executive communications.
• Train and advise staff across all municipal departments on communications protocols, social media guidelines, brand standards, and compliance-related policies.

Media Relations & Public Information Officer (PIO)

• Serve as the City's public information officer (PIO) for routine media inquiries and coordinate responses to significant or sensitive media matters with the Assistant City Administrator or designee.
• Coordinate the operational communications response to emerging issues, high-profile matters, critical incidents, and other time-sensitive situations in consultation with the Assistant City Administrator and other designated officials.

Interdepartmental & Community Collaboration

• Maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, department directors, and staff to coordinate public information, communications, and outreach needs.
• Provide communications, marketing, and engagement support to City departments, including Human Resources, Economic Development, Police, and Parks and Recreation, in accordance with approved City priorities.
• Coordinate interdepartmental teams or committees related to public relations, internal and external communications, publications, and customer-service initiatives as assigned.
• Attend Board meetings, conferences, committee meetings, and staff meetings as assigned; provide communications support and report relevant issues to the Assistant City Administrator.

Division Leadership & Administration

• Supervise, mentor, and coach division staff, conducting performance evaluations and supporting professional development in a culture of continuous improvement.
• Prepare and manage the Communications Division’s annual operating budget, track expenditures, and collaborate with the Finance Department on budget-related public reports.
• Establish and monitor division work plans, deliverables, key performance indicators (KPIs), and service levels; report progress, risks, and resource needs to executive leadership.
• Recommend operational improvements, technological tools, and modern best practices to optimize municipal communication workflows.

The City of Wentzville is committed to being an employer of choice, offering prosperous and meaningful career opportunities and flexibility. The City offers excellent benefits, including health, vision, dental, employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability, a retirement pension, 13 paid holidays, five personal days, vacation time, sick time, tuition reimbursement, an employee assistance program, a discounted recreation center membership and much more.

To see the full Job Description, Click Here

This job posting will remain open until 12/10/2026

Qualifications

Job Qualifications – Education, experience, and training that are required or desirable in order to effectively perform the job at the time of hire. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements and/or substitutions may be requested and require the approval of HR.

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or a related field required.
  • Additional job experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience required.
  • Additional job-related advanced degrees or certifications may be considered in lieu of experience.
• Previous experience with a Board or City Council is desired.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• In-depth knowledge of principles and practices of City management/administration and industry trends.
• Knowledge of social media, website, and digital communication trends.
• Understanding of budgeting, finance, and grant administration and programs/services offered is essential to the overall strategic communications planning.
• Proficiency in use of basic business software (word processing, spreadsheets, email, presentations) and basic office equipment.
• Proficiency in use of Adobe Creative Suite (Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop) or other creative tools such as Canva, and the ability to learn multiple software packages quickly.
• Ability to provide exceptional service to internal and external customers. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, and customers by telephone, in writing, and in person.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential job duty. Job requires being reliable, responsible and dependable.