Strategic Communications Director

Closing DateJob Req ID: 634

Division: Communications

Salary Range: $180,000.00 to $180,000.00

Job Type: Unclassified

Business Area: Office of the Mayor

Personnel Area: Mayor's Office

Closing Date: 02/19/2026

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is driving one of the most ambitious and effective municipal agendas in California – focused on keeping people safe, reducing homelessness, building more housing, and fixing streets and other critical infrastructure. The Office is searching for a Strategic Communications Director to lead the mayor’s communications efforts and comprehensive communications strategies. This is a senior leadership role in the Mayor’s Office that reports directly to the mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies on the mayor’s agenda and Administration.

This full-time, in-person position will oversee a range of communications functions, including strategic planning, writing and editing press materials, media relations, and supervising the delivery of digital content across web and social media platforms. The Director will also serve as the mayor’s lead spokesperson, strategist, and advisor on communications, media relations, crisis response, and message development.

Key Areas Of Responsibility

• Strategic Leadership: Develop integrated communications strategies to promote the mayor’s policy agenda and priorities through earned media, owned media, and public appearances.
• Serve as the Mayor’s lead spokesperson: Managing and responding to media inquiries, and representing the Administration in press briefings, interviews, and on-the-record communications.
• Message Development: Craft core messaging, speeches, statements, and talking points that reflect the mayor’s voice and values, ensuring clarity and consistency across platforms.
• Media Relations: Build and maintain relationships with journalists, opinion leaders, and media outlets to effectively share the City of San Diego’s vision and priorities.
• Oversee digital and social media strategy, ensuring consistency and creativity in tone, voice, and visual storytelling.
• Cross-Department Coordination: Partner with, and provide strategic counsel to, the City’s Communications Department and the Mayor’s executive team to align messaging.
• Monitor local, state, and national media trends to anticipate issues and identify proactive opportunities for leadership storytelling and engagement.
  
  

Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Political Science, or a related field.
• 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs, political campaigns, or government.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills with on-the-record experience as a spokesperson.
• Experience leading integrated communications efforts across earned, owned, and digital platforms.
• Demonstrated success in managing media relations.
• Strong judgement, political instincts, and ability to perform under pressure in a fast-moving environment.
• Commitment to the values of transparency and public service.
  
  

Benefits

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance.
  
  

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

The Office Of The Mayor

In Fiscal Year 2025, the City of San Diego consolidated several key departments into the Office of the Mayor as part of an executive reorganization, with the Mayor assuming the responsibilities of the City Manager. This restructuring integrated the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, the Office of Boards and Commissions, and the Government Affairs Department (including the Office of Global Affairs) into a unified department. The Mayor now oversees all day-to-day City operations, citywide initiatives, and fiscal management, with direct oversight of the Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officer, Police Chief, and Fire Chief. The Office manages the City’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs and supports more than 40 boards and commissions, including the Human Relations Commission, Commission on Gang Prevention & Intervention, and Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations. A team of Communications, Community Engagement, and Policy professionals ensures transparency, fosters community relationships, and advances policies aligned with the Mayor’s priorities, creating a more efficient and responsive government structure.

The City

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 12,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget of approximately $5 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Pre-Employment Requirements And Screening Process

Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.