Communications Director Jobs
Communications Director jobs are open across corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare systems, and higher education, from manager-level to VP, with specializations in public affairs, media relations, and internal communications. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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JOB OVERVIEW
The City of Harrisburg is accepting applications for a Communications Director in the Bureau of Communications. The Communications Director is a management-level position responsible for managing the City of Harrisburg’s public relations, print, television, digital and social media efforts. This employee has supervisory responsibility over all staff within the Bureau of Communications, including oversight and management of the 311 Information Desk. Supervisory responsibilities include but are not limited to; staffing, timekeeping, payroll, leave approval, budget oversight, performance reviews, professional development, and disciplines. Work is performed under the general direction of the Mayor and/or their designee. This is a management, FLSA-exempt position.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The City of Harrisburg offers a salary range from $80,000.00 to $100,000.00. This full-time position also includes an excellent benefits package: defined pension plan, paid holidays, paid time off (vacation, sick and personal time) and health care benefits (medical, dental, prescription and vision).
if interested, please submit a cover letter, your résumé, three employment references and salary history to (electronic submission preferred):
HR@harrisburgpa.gov
or
ATTN: Human Resources
The City of Harrisburg, Suite #402
MLK City Government Center
10 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Wanda R.D. Williams, Mayor
Job Title Grade: M-20
Communications Director
Bureau of Communications
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The Communications Director is a management-level position responsible for managing the City of Harrisburg’s public relations, print, television, digital and social media efforts. This employee has supervisory responsibility over all staff within the Bureau of Communications, including oversight and management of the 311 Information Desk. Supervisory responsibilities include but are not limited to; staffing, timekeeping, payroll, leave approval, budget oversight, performance reviews, professional development, and disciplines. Work is performed under the general direction of the Mayor and/or their designee. This is a management, FLSA-exempt position.
JOB LOCATION/ EQUIPMENT:
Work is typically performed at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center and other venue locations held throughout the City and occasionally outside the City. Work involves the use of computers, printers, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, video/digital cameras, audio mixers, digital editing systems and any other office equipment or technical devices as necessary or required. Duties are typically performed weekdays from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., however, this position requires employee to work on a significant number of nights, weekends, and holidays.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Prepares and transmits information through various mediums to achieve public understanding and support. Works with City government officials and employees, City agencies, other government bodies and the public to develop information for release to the general public and news media. Manages and directs the Communications Program which informs the public, builds constituencies, continually gathers information, analyzes public attitudes and fosters a good relationship between the City and the community. Distributes materials such as news releases, pamphlets, letters and related information. The Communications Director works closely with the Mayor in planning and scheduling special events. Manages the planning, creating and placing publicity material, holding press functions and providing answers to news media and public inquiries. Responsibilities also include management of equipment, editing and programming of events for Channel 20 production, conducting on air interviews, planning shot sequences, and creating program content. The Communications Manager also manages and oversees the 311 Information Desk and the Communications Bureau team. Additionally, the Communications Manager will be responsible for all social media maintenance, including, but not limited to, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, WHBG’s website, City newsletter and other social media outlets. Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with their staff, supervisors, co-workers, advertisers, and the general public. Complete all assignments in an efficient, consistent and timely manner. Maintain regular, punctual and predictable attendance, report to work and remain at work in a productive condition which includes not being under the influence or impaired by the use of alcohol and/or drugs.
NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs any other related duties as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to determine and prepare appropriate media materials for presentation.
- Proficient in the operation of personal computing equipment, audio and video equipment, radios, digital cameras and other equipment.
- Thorough knowledge of television production, broadcasting practices, technical standards and procedures.
- Thorough knowledge of FCC Regulations.
- Ability to supervise and monitor direct reporting staff according to established policies and procedures.
- Ability to speak clearly and accurately in provision of public and other information.
- Working knowledge of best practices for television, radio and webcasting.
- Ability to make independent decisions and judgments.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Ability to maintain extreme confidentiality.
- Ability to exercise good judgment, courtesy and tact in dealing with the public and news media so as to present the City, Mayor and other City officials in a positive light.
- Strong management skills.
- Excellent knowledge of all forms of media operations, scheduling, practices and trends.
- Ability to work creatively and effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, business or public administration, TV and film production, or related field plus, at least three year’s related experience in a combination of areas including television production services, communications, broadcast arts, public relations, marketing and advertising, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, including management of staff and a department budget. Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License, Class C.
Communications Director Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education50
- Technology & Software23
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals20
- Consulting & Professional Services14
- Non-Profit & Social Services10
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in communications director jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field
- Seven or more years of experience in communications, public relations, or media relations
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing a communications team
- Proven ability to develop and execute organization-wide communications strategies
- Strong media relations skills with an established network of press contacts
- Proficiency with content management systems, email marketing platforms, and social media tools
Tips for Your Communications Director Job Search
Tailor your resume to the sector
A communications director resume for a hospital system reads very differently from one for a tech company. Swap in the right vocabulary, for example crisis communications for healthcare, product storytelling for SaaS, and donor communications for nonprofits, so hiring managers see a direct match.
Build a portfolio with measurable outcomes
Attach a short portfolio to every application. Include two or three campaign examples where you can show what you led, what changed, and how the audience responded. Hiring committees at this level expect evidence, not just a list of responsibilities on your resume.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists communications director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Address the reporting line in your cover letter
Communications directors report to a CEO, CMO, or board depending on the organization. Name the reporting structure in your cover letter and explain how you have worked at that level before. It signals you understand the political weight of the role before day one.
Prepare a message architecture sample
Many hiring panels ask finalists to complete a take-home exercise. Bring a one-page message architecture you built for a past employer anyway. It shows you already think in frameworks, and it gives the panel something concrete to react to during your presentation.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate title
Before accepting an offer, confirm budget authority, team headcount, and whether communications is a standalone function or housed inside marketing. Title and compensation are harder to renegotiate than scope once you have started, so clarify those details during your final-round conversations.
Communications Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most communications directors?
The companies hiring the most communications directors right now include Eli Lilly, JPMorganChase, and William & Mary, with the largest share of openings in New York, California, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is spread across the private sector, government agencies, nonprofits, and higher education institutions.
How many communications director jobs are remote?
About 62% of communications director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a broader shift in how senior communications roles are structured. Public affairs and internal communications sub-areas tend to have the highest share of remote and hybrid arrangements, while roles tied to crisis communications or government affairs more often require an on-site presence.
How do you become a communications director?
Most communications directors start in writing, journalism, or public relations and move into management after building a strong portfolio of campaigns and media work. From there, the path typically runs through a senior manager or communications manager role where you gain direct reports and budget responsibility. Demonstrating cross-functional leadership, for example owning an executive communications program or managing an agency relationship, is what separates candidates who move into director-level roles from those who plateau at the senior individual contributor level.
Can you get hired as a communications director without much experience?
It is possible but uncommon to land a communications director title without significant experience in the field. Smaller organizations, early-stage nonprofits, and startups occasionally hire candidates who are a step below traditional director qualifications if those candidates bring a strong portfolio, existing media relationships, or deep subject-matter expertise in the organization's industry. A focused track of published work, demonstrated leadership on high-visibility campaigns, and strong references from senior communicators all help close the experience gap.
What does the communications director interview process look like?
The process typically runs three to four rounds. An initial screen with HR or a talent partner is followed by a substantive interview with the hiring manager, often a CMO or CEO. Finalists are almost always asked to complete a presentation exercise, such as drafting a communications strategy or messaging framework for a fictional scenario. A final panel interview with cross-functional stakeholders, including legal, marketing, or the board, is common before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to communications director jobs?
You can find and apply to communications director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 661+ Communications Director Jobs
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