Duties of the director of communications.
Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 2-337
in effectSec. 2-337. - Duties of the director of communications.
The duties of the director of communications, which shall be performed in accordance with applicable laws, include the following:
(1) Oversees the city's public communications, media, public relations, public affairs, brand identity, and marketing strategies; serves as a key advisor to the mayor, city council, and department heads in decisions that impact the reputation of the city and well-being of a wide variety of stakeholders.
(2) Coordinates the city's public communications activities amongst all departments of the city; manages all aspects of the communications and marketing requirements in support of key initiatives and programs for the mayor, city council, and city departments.
(3) Responsible for development and implementation of complex, comprehensive communications programs and activities for the city; creates and executes special initiatives for the city in support of departments.
(4) Develops and coordinates implementation of the city's communications policies and procedures.
(5) Creates, distributes, and promotes public information products for the city.
(6) Provides comprehensive oversight of the city's media relations which includes oversight for media requests, news conferences, news releases, speeches, talking points, and presentations.
(7) Prepares news releases from the mayor, city council, and departments of the city; prepares program announcements; arranges news conferences; responds to information requests from local, state, national, and trade media; ensures timely and accurate public information of city operations, projects and policies, city council actions, crisis/disaster communications, economic development initiatives, and awareness campaigns through traditional media, social media and the internet.
(8) Provides communication support to the city in intergovernmental initiatives at local, state, and federal level; assists with the support of industrial recruitment and economic development initiatives of the city.
(9) Prepares speeches, presentations, and talking points for the mayor, other city officials, and partner agencies on the full breadth of municipal government topics.
(10) Plans and executes special events; represents the city in presentations to local civic organizations and professional associations; represents the city at local, regional, and national industry conferences and trade shows; conducts research to support initiatives of the mayor, city council, and the various departments.
(11) Provides editorial guidance and oversight in the preparation and execution of departmental print and digital marketing and informational materials that promote and brand the city or inform its citizens.
(12) Works collaboratively with departments to integrate appropriate civic engagement platforms such as IdeaScale, See-Click-Fix, or other software programs that benefit citizens.
(13) Works closely with key community partners including the chamber of commerce, the convention and visitor's bureau, the sports commission, and the airport authority on economic marketing and promotion strategies for the city.
(14) Oversees the operation of and programming for the city's government television and video services which includes public interest talk shows, public service announcements, video of news conferences, live broadcasts of city meetings, and announcements from non-profit agency partners.
(15) Oversees the city's digital media in public communication including the website, social media, digital newsletters, on-line town halls, public surveys, and customer service tools; provides web oversight including content creation, training content editors, branding and design of supporting department web pages/sites; oversees for content/branding/design and training content editors for department social media channels and electronic newsletters; provides training and oversight for department web and newsletter editors and social media teams; oversees internet content standards and social media guidelines to inform community members about city services.
(16) Maintains the city's brand, image, graphics, and identity standards as it relates to the brand including logo, seal, and their use on city signage.
(17) Oversees customer service initiatives and processes that ensure citizens' needs, comments, concerns, and requests are addressed in a timely manner.
(18) Provides oversight and strategic planning for organizational information to city employees through employee newsletters and departmental staff meetings, as well as weekly information from specific departments, to include topics related to changes in employee benefits, city compensation systems, significant city projects, staff development and training, city policies and updates on mayoral and city council initiatives/activities.
(19) Supervises the communications staff including videographer, digital media specialist and other personnel as assigned; manages various contracts delivering support to communications and marketing efforts as required.
(20) Performs related work as required and performs all duties that may be required of him by ordinance or resolution.
(Ord. No. 23-322, § 1, 4-27-2023)
Source: City of Huntsville, Alabama, publisher code (Municode) + enacted ordinances (City Council/Legistar)URL: https://library.municode.com/al/huntsville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTVIIDEDEHEOTAPOF_DIV2ADDE_S2-337DUDICOFetched: 11/6/2026