City of San Jose
United States, California, San Jose
Sep 28, 2023
Full Time
The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration. The San José City Council consists of ten Councilmembers elected by district and a Mayor elected at-large, each for four-year terms. The Mayor and Council are responsible for representing the residents of San José, providing accountability, reviewing public policy and programs, and adopting those policies which best meet the needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in San José. The Mayor serves as the political leader of San José, and under the City Charter, is responsible for recommending policy, program, and budget priorities for the City. The total salary range for the Mayor's Content Manager (classification is Senior Council Assistant - Unclassified) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience. The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan is seeking a talented and experienced writer to join our communications team. As the Mayor's Content Manager, you will play a crucial role in shaping impactful messaging that effectively communicates the Mayor's vision, policies, and key messages to a diverse range of audiences. Your exceptional writing skills, political acumen, and ability to capture the Mayor's voice will be essential in creating compelling written content that inspires, informs, and engages the public. Responsibilities for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following: Collaborate closely with the Mayor, Chief of Staff and Chief Communications Officer to understand their vision, policy initiatives, and strategic priorities. Write compelling and persuasive speeches, op-eds, talking points and social media posts that align with the Mayor's goals and resonate with diverse audiences, including residents, stakeholders, community groups, and the media. Craft messaging that incorporates storytelling techniques, statistics, and real-life examples to captivate and connect with the audience on an emotional level. Ensure messaging adheres to the Mayor's preferred tone, voice, and messaging, while maintaining consistency across all communication platforms. Collaborate with other members of the Mayor's communications team to coordinate messaging and align speech content with broader communication strategies. Review and edit drafted talking points to ensure accuracy, clarity, and grammatical correctness. Stay up-to-date with local, regional, and national issues, policy developments, and public sentiment to inform the creation of relevant and timely communications. Assist in preparing briefing materials, talking points, and presentations for the Mayor's public appearances, press conferences, and community events. Work within tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. Other duties of a similar nature or level Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract "at-will" basis and is for a specified period of time to be determined by the appointing elected official and does not extend past the end of the elected official's or appointing authority's term. Candidates must be willing to work frequent evenings and weekends, and as exempt management employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation. This unclassified position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income and business positions. The minimum qualification requirements include any combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise the Mayor or Council Member on matters of public policy, democratic processes, constituent service, or citizen involvement. Desirable Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, political science, literature or a related field. Advanced degrees are a plus. Experience: Proven experience as a writer, preferably in a political, government or high level marketing environment. Required Licensing: Possession of a valid California Driver's license is required. The ideal candidate will offer the following abilities and knowledge, as demonstrated in employment history or other experience. We desire a well-rounded, dedicated, and enthusiastic individual with a broad combination of skills and abilities. A competitive candidate will possess the following attributes: Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a keen eye for detail. Strong understanding of political dynamics (nationally and locally, especially in the South Bay and San Jose), policy issues, and the ability to translate complex concepts into clear and engaging language. Exceptional research skills and the ability to gather information from a variety of sources. Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, government staff, and community members. Flexibility to adapt writing style and tone to meet the needs and preferences of the Mayor. Proficiency in using productivity and communication tools, such as word processors, presentation software, and project management platforms. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and manage multiple priorities. Discretion and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information. Good attitude, strong ability to collaborate, creative and receptive to feedback. Understanding of the local media landscape and connections in local outlets is a plus.