Salary: $93,059.20 – $142,105.60 Annually
Location : Arlington, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 3410-24A-AED-SD
Department: Arlington Economic Development
Division: AED Communications
Opening Date: 09/29/2023
Closing Date: 10/12/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Position Information
The AED) Department seeks a Strategic Communications Manager to strengthen our messaging, create a singular voice across multiple divisions, and continuously elevate our impact, which includes collaboration, development, and implementation of various internal and external communication strategies.
AED is a dynamic progressive department dedicated to growing, attracting, and retaining a strong business base in Arlington, VA. We seek business growth that builds on our strengths, notably the exceptional quality of life, highly accessible location, and industry clusters.
Specific duties:
- Developing strategic content for the department’s written and verbal communications that align with and reinforce AED’s mission;
- Developing messaging and communications for the department Director and Senior Leadership Team to reach external audiences through speech writing, talking points and presentations;
- Developing relationships with several parties to create awareness and understanding, supporting engagements and events, and assessing effective communication strategies to ensure desired impact and success;
- Developing and implementing a public relations strategy to promote Arlington as a premiere destination for business, travel, and culture to a wide array of target audiences. Implementation includes media relations, editorial pitches, speaking proposals, media events, etc.;
- Creating marketing content to advance AED’s strategic objectives, including branding material, brochures, flyers, advertisements, website content and internal and external e-newsletter publications, etc.;
- Editing written communications for external audiences using the Associated Press style and adhering to AED’s brand and style guidelines;
- Coordinating with program subject-matter experts to obtain pertinent information for content creation;
- Serving as a spokesperson for the department when requested and/or facilitating all media involvement with staff, as necessary, for press inquiries;
- Developing metrics and reporting to track the overall performance of communication efforts in media; and
- Performing other job-related duties as assigned.
Selection Criteria
Minimum:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field; and
- Significant experience developing and managing marketing or communications programs, and/or media relations work.
Substitution: Additional directly related experience can substitute for the education
Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s degree in a related field and/or experience in one or more of the following:
- Senior-level marketing based on the scope of experience;
- Economic development, business investment, urban planning and/or real estate;
- Destination marketing and/or placemaking to the business and travel communities; and
- Writing and editing using the Associated Press style.
Special Requirements
A complete application will include a work sample that reflects your marketing and communication skills. Please attach to your application a sample of your work which may include any of the following for which you were the author, a speech, talking points or a presentation.
Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver license. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of their official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant’s driving record.
A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Additional Information
Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a hybrid office policy requiring employees to be in office at least three days a week.
The official job title is AED Marketing Manager.
Arlington County offers a competitive salary and a great benefits package including a Defined Benefit (pension) plan. For more information on Arlington’s family friendly benefits, .
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs.
#LI-Hybrid
Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.
The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email .
Arlington County Government employee benefits depend on whether a position is permanent, the number of hours worked, and the number of months the position is scheduled.
Specific information on benefits and conditions of employment can be found on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.
Permanent, Full-Time Appointments
All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:
Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases every three years until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. There are eleven paid holidays each year.
Health and Dental Insurance: Three group health insurance plans are offered – a network open access plan, a point-of-service plan, and a health maintenance organization. A group dental insurance plan is also offered. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. A discount vision plan is provided for eye care needs.
Life Insurance: A group term policy of basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance is available with rates based on the employee’s age and smoker/non-smoker status.
Retirement: The County offers three vehicles to help you prepare for retirement: a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service. The County also contributes to this plan.
For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)) . The County also matches your 457 contribution, up to $20 per pay period, in this plan. The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to set aside money on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your base pay.
Other Benefits: The County also offers health, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; long-term care insurance; tuition assistance; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other employee benefits.
Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:
Part time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.
Limited Term Appointments:
Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.
Temporary Regular Appointments:
Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:
Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.
01
What is your highest level of education?
- High School Diploma/GED
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s degree (or higher)
02
Please select if you have experience in one or more of the following (Be sure the detail of this experience is reflected on your application.):
- Senior-level marketing
- Social media content writing and administration skills
- Writing and editing using the Associated Press style
- Marketing destinations to the business and travel communities
- Economic development, business investment, urban planning and/or real estate
- Web content writing within a content management system
- Public relations outreach and writing
- None
03
How many years of experience do you have in Marketing, Communications or Public/Media Relations?
- None
- 6 months to 1 year
- 1 to 2 years
- 2 to 3 years
- 3 years or more
04
Please describe your experience developing and managing marketing, media relations, or communications programs. If not applicable, put N/A
05
Did you attach the required marketing or communications work sample (e.g., speech, talking points or presentation)?
- Yes
- No
Required Question