Sr. Director of Communications

Introduction

The Senior Director of Communications leads the city’s voice and vision shaping how the organization informs, engages, and connects with the community. This executive role sets the strategic direction for all communications, ensuring that every message reflects the city’s mission, values, and priorities. By fostering collaboration across departments and embracing innovation, the Senior Director aligns diverse efforts into a unified, impactful strategy that builds trust, strengthens transparency, and positions the city as a leader in public engagement.

In order to be considered for this position, the department requests that you attach a Cover Letter and Resume to your application.

Anticipated starting salary may be up to mid-point depending on candidate’s experience and internal equity. The midpoint salary is $186,971.20 annually.

The City of Scottsdale offers:

• 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month, eligible for use immediately following accrual
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month, eligible for use immediately following accrual
• Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision benefits effective first day of employment
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
• Pet Insurance
• Bilingual pay compensation
• Robust Employee Wellness plan with flexible incentives
• Access to several city-owned fitness and recreational facilities at no cost

Please visit the Human Resources and Benefits Information page for more information.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field from an accredited educational institution.
• A minimum of seven years' experience in a responsible administrative position in communication and/or public affairs.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/orjob-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.
• Preferred :
  • Master's degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field from an accredited educational institution.
  • At least 7 years of progressively responsible leadership and managerial experience in communication and/or public affairs.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

• Certifications in related fields from professional groups, such as the Public Relations Society of America or International Association of Business Communicators, are desirable.
• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.
  

Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on department/section assignment.

Essential Functions

To view the job description and list of Essential Functions, click here .

Work Environment/Physical Demands

To view the Work Environment/Physical Dema nds, click HERE .

Selection Process:
The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state “See Resume” in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include:

• Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
• Criminal Background screening

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR at (480) 312-2491.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits, click here .

Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking here .

Closing Date/Time: 3/6/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

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• City of Scottsdale

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