Director of Communications & Community Engagement

Position Summary

Director of Communications & Community Engagement Recruitment Brochure - Click Here
Our recruitment brochure provides an in-depth look at our organization, this position, and the benefits of joining our team. We encourage you to click the link above to explore the brochure and learn more about this opportunity. The position is open until filled with priority review of candidates by Friday, March 6, 2026.

The Director of Communications and Community Engagement plans, organizes, and coordinates all community relations activities, including media relations, public information, and the preparation and distribution of printed and digital communications. The Director oversees public relations efforts and manages Lewisville’s portfolio of major City events, ensuring initiatives promote a positive public image and align with the City’s priorities. Officed in the City Manager’s Office, this role serves as a strategic advisor and organizational leader, guiding how the City tells its story, communicates during critical and emergency situations, and creates meaningful opportunities for residents to stay informed, engaged, and heard. The Director ensures all communications are timely, accurate, and reflect Lewisville’s values of transparency, public trust, and service to the community.

Essential Functions

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the City’s communications, public information, branding, and community engagement efforts to support transparency, public trust, and resident understanding.
• Lead the City’s communication strategy by advising leadership and elected officials, monitoring public sentiment, protecting the City’s brand, and ensuring clear, consistent, and impactful messaging across all platforms, including media relations, social media, video production, marketing, and publications.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the City’s Strategic Communications Plan, related policies, procedures, and performance measures, ensuring all activities align with long-term strategic goals and organizational priorities.
• Design, oversee, and evaluate inclusive community engagement initiatives, such as town halls, listening sessions, surveys, and outreach campaigns, to provide meaningful opportunities for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to be informed and heard.
• Manage and provide strategic oversight for Lewisville’s major City events, including Western Days, Holiday Stroll, Sounds of Lewisville Summer Concert Series, Juneteenth Celebration, ColorPalooza, and Little Monsters on Main, ensuring alignment with community engagement goals and the City’s brand.
• Lead communications during emergencies or critical situations, providing accurate, real-time information to the public in collaboration with City leadership and partner departments.
• Oversee departmental operations, including staff leadership and development, budgeting, planning, performance management, professional training, and resource allocation.
• Develop, monitor, and report on performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of communications, public engagement, and event initiatives, ensuring optimal use of public resources.
• Collaborate with departments across the organization to support internal and external communications, enhance resident-facing messaging, and improve cross-departmental coordination.
• Represent the City professionally with residents, community groups, media partners, regional organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain and expand media and community partnerships to strengthen outreach, messaging, and public awareness of City initiatives.
• Provide guidance and oversight on policy, legal, and regulatory requirements affecting communications, media relations, and special events.
• Promote community pride, encourage resident engagement, support tourism initiatives, and enhance the City’s reputation through strategic communication and public engagement efforts.
• Identify emerging trends, best practices, and innovative tools in communications and community engagement to advance the City’s goals.
• Perform related duties as assigned to support organizational objectives.

Position Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, journalism, communications, or related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, organizational communication, marketing or related field. Must have some experience with press relations, publications, public sector marketing and television production. Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or lead capacity. Public sector public relations experience is preferred.

Any combination of related, education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements. 

Licenses and Certifications: None.

Conditions of Employment: Must submit to and pass a criminal background and pre-employment drug test. Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver’s License Class “C” and good driving record as defined by City policy. An applicant who does not possess a Texas Driver's License or proper class will be allowed ten (10) working days after a job offer is made to obtain proper licensing.

Other Requirements: This position is subject to emergency operations. The individual holding this position will be required to work as usual or as needed: during emergency operations, in preparation for prolonged emergency operations and/ or during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by his/her direct supervisor, Department Head or designee, or the City Manager or designee. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of: Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop, and implement strategic communications and marketing initiatives within a public sector environment; skill in developing effective and creative publications, programs, and content across print, digital, and broadcast platforms, including serving as on camera talent when appropriate; including digital, print, and in-person channels such as the City website, social media, newsletters, video, signage, and public presentations; knowledge of public relations principles, techniques, and objectives, including media relations and public facing communications; knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements related to the use and expenditure of hotel occupancy tax revenues; ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and courteously with the public, media representatives, elected officials, and city departments; proficiency in desktop publishing tools and related software used for publication design and content development; skill in researching, preparing, and presenting technical and analytical reports in a clear and effective manner.

Skilled in: Ability to write clearly and meet deadlines; maintain regular attendance and punctuality; perform television production activities; think strategically, solve problems, and commit to continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making; develop and negotiate contracts; build and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally; manage multiple high-priority projects and meet firm deadlines; supervise and manage staff efficiently; analyze and interpret research data for reports; apply mathematical techniques in practical situations; use Microsoft Office and related software; recognize and respond to urgent needs; engage in public speaking and presentations; accept responsibility for actions and perform work accurately and thoroughly; follow instructions, safety practices, and standard operating procedures; communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing; and work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is primarily an office classification although this position involves a mix of office and outdoor responsibilities. May be exposed to varying weather conditions (heat, cold, rain) when setting up or attending city special events. 

Work may involve occasional exposure to dust, noise, standing for extended periods and walking between locations may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. 

The position may occasionally require lifting or carrying supplies or equipment. Employees must regularly lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 40 pounds with or without assistance. Typical daily lifting requirements for certain tasks range from 10 to 25 pounds.

The City of Lewisville has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities, which may be required. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Levels of positions within a class series are distinguished by the level of responsibility assumed, the complexity of duties assigned, the independence of action taken, the nature of the public contact made, and the impact and span of tasks performed.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.  The City of Lewisville has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Work Hours

Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, Friday 7:30am-11:30am.