Who: The Seattle Housing Authority
Position: Communications Director
Where: Seattle
What: The Seattle Housing Authority, a nationally recognized leader in providing innovative, affordable housing communities, is seeking to fill the position of Communications Director. The Housing Authority’s agency-wide annual budget is approximately $186 million, with assets of approximately $1 billion, including component units. The agency owns and manages more than 8,000 residential units and administers more than 9,000 Housing Choice Vouchers, with a staff of 550 full time employees; it is an independent municipal corporation.
The Communications Director reports to the Executive Director, serves as a member of the Senior Management Team and provides counsel to enhance the Housing Authority’s reputation and effectiveness in communicating, and to effectively manage the communications and public relations challenges that arise as the agency pursues its mission.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have at least eight years’ experience in public information, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field, including two years in a leadership position. Major responsibilities include:
• Provide leadership and direction to the Board of Commissioners and all departments in their public information and marketing activities in order to ensure consistency, professionalism and appropriate brand
management.
• Develop and carry out a comprehensive public information and communications program; manage and promote dialog and timely information exchange among constituents, employees, commissioners and
stakeholders to fulfill the agency’s vision and mission;
• Establish and articulate Seattle Housing Authority’s identity in the community; serve as primary agency spokesperson; represent the Authority’s programs and interests on local, regional and national committees as
requested
• Set long-range communications and marketing goals; design strategies and techniques to enhance agency effectiveness in carrying out its mission
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with audiences of varied education, economic, cultural, language, and ethnic backgrounds using appropriate and effective communication styles and techniques
• Serve as producer of the Authority’s external and internal website and guide for appropriate use of social media
Education required: A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism required, or a closely related field; however, four additional years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the degree. A Master’s degree is preferred.
To be considered, each candidate must respond to the following questions, a maximum of one page per question, single-spaced.
1. The Communication’s office consists of the director, a technical communications specialist and an executive assistant that serves the communication needs of this agency. Please describe your specific skills
and abilities for this position and why you would be the ideal candidate for this position.
2. Describe your knowledge and experience in employing digital communications methods and social media. What are the challenges and drawbacks of using social media?
3. The redevelopment of Yesler Terrace is a major focus of SHA’s efforts now and over the next five to ten years. This effort will involve creating a new neighborhood by replacing the current low-income housing with more low-income and market-rate housing, adding office and retail space, and providing neighborhood services. How would you define the communication challenges of the Yesler Terrace project? What would you envision as the major components of a communications plan to address these challenges?
Contact: Please send a letter of application, resume and responses to the questions to:
• Dean Barnes, Human Resources Director, Seattle Housing Authority, P.O. Box 19028, Seattle, WA 98109-1028
• Application materials may also be forwarded via email, to [email protected]
• If you have any questions, please contact Dean Barnes at (206) 615-3322.
The application process will begin May 23, 2012, with application materials to be reviewed beginning June 11; however, recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Salary is negotiable, DOE, plus excellent benefits.
