Communications Strategist

The Communications Strategist develops and executes communications strategies and plans to support and promote KCLS programs, services, and events with internal and external audiences. This role identifies storytelling and communications opportunities and coordinates across the organization to deliver compelling content through KCLS digital channels, internal communications, and earned media. The incumbent is responsible for full-cycle communications planning from copy creation to promotion.

A portfolio of past work may be requested as part of the hiring process for this position.

About King County Library System (KCLS):
KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.

Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.

From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.

The King County Library System values the diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures of all qualified individuals. We seek applicants that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, etc.

KCLS welcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire. 

Need an accommodation to apply or interview? Call (425) 369-3224 or email employment@kcls.org.
 
KCLS ensures equal opportunities and consideration for all job applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. KCLS does not tolerate discrimination or harassment during any stage of employment, including in recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, or training.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties
The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.
 

• Develops and implements strategic communications plans. Identifies storytelling opportunities and provides planning, execution, and analysis of content.
• Generates earned media through media and press relations and partnerships to promote KCLS events and campaigns, including regular promotion of library events to media.
• Manages library communications campaigns for events, promotions, and emerging communication opportunities.
• Supports the production and distribution of internal communications, including staff newsletters.
• Consults across the organization for consistency in messaging and imagery and utilization of adopted communications and brand standards.
• Creates copy for marketing collateral and other promotional communications for library events in print and digital formats.
• Collaborates in the development of enterprise-wide products and supplemental materials, including annual budget and report.
• Supports executive and corporate communications in partnership with senior leadership. Researches, writes, and edits materials for internal and external distribution including talking points, speeches, scripts, announcements, and press releases.
• Partners with marketing team to identify content opportunities, provide content for distribution, and ensure timely and accurate promotion.
• Evaluates engagement and effectiveness of communications activities using analytics to improve performance.

Secondary Duties
 

1. Monitors industry activity for emerging opportunities in communications.
2. Provides backup support to related positions.
3. Makes presentation on subject matter work.
4. Attends and actively participates on committees and working groups as assigned.
5. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Each KCLS position has job-specific competencies. These competencies describe characteristics needed for optimum performance in the position. In addition, there are organizational competencies applicable to all positions at KCLS that encompass the culture and set expectations for how work is performed.

Organizational Competencies

• Valuing Diversity

Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably. Respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn about differences.

• Customer Focus

Primarily focused on customer needs. Able to deliver high-quality, value-added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.

• Ethics, Values and Judgement

Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct. Consistently demonstrates organization’s values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character, and action. Defends intellectual freedom and confidentiality.

• Professional and Technical Knowledge

Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills and/or knowledge in position-related areas. Purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to better foster personal success and connections for others.
 

Job-Specific Competencies

• Organizing and Planning

Establishes courses of action for self. Can influence others to ensure that work is efficient. Appropriately sensitive to real restraints on time and resources. Willing to take a risk.

• Drive for Results

Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them. Does not confuse effort with results. Gets the job done.

• Work Quality

Inspires and strives for excellence in all aspects of work including setting high standards of performance for self and others. Ensures that results are complete and accurate. Exhibits attention to detail.

• Vision and Strategic Thinking

Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization's vision, mission, and values. Holds big picture view while setting priorities, often using breakthrough strategies to find the way forward.

Desired Minimum Qualification

Education and Experience
The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field.
• Five years’ experience in communications, marketing, and/or media relations.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Working knowledge of strategic communications best practices.
• Working knowledge of content production and ideation.
• Skills in media pitches, press releases, and media advisories.
• Skills in writing short and long form content.
• Knowledge in graphic design direction.
• Knowledge in marketing fundamentals.
• Knowledge in social media marketing and content development.
• High proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Notable attention to detail and accuracy.
• Skills to prioritize work and handle various tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Skills to project management and meet personal and team deadlines.
• Skills to handle sensitive situations and confidential information with discretion.
• Collaboration with audio/visual experts in content production.
• Well-developed verbal, active listening, written communication, and language/grammar skills with various and diverse audiences.
• Confident communicator and presenter with interest in teaching others.
• Demonstrated collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Professional Licenses and Certifications

• A valid Washington State driver’s license is required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will:

• Constantly sit throughout work shift and will occasionally stand and seldom walk.
• Seldom reach up or down and frequently reach out at chest level with hands and arms.
• Frequently use hands in conjunction with constant finger use. Keyboarding may be repetitive up to frequently.
• Rotate neck up to frequently.
• Change tasks depending upon the shift.
• Require extensive close work including use of a computer monitor.
• Seldom operate foot controls.
• Seldom lift up to 35 lbs. and seldom carry up to 10 lbs.
• Seldom push or pull carts and wheeled equipment with light force.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a typical office environment. Work schedule may include occasional evening and/or weekend meetings or commitments. Some travel within the service area is required. Incumbent may be permitted hybrid telework schedule upon request.