THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Wichita Falls is seeking an experienced, strategic, and community-focused communications professional to serve as its next Director of Communications and Community Engagement. This executive leadership position will guide the City’s public communications strategy, strengthen community relationships, and ensure transparent, accurate, and timely communication with residents, stakeholders, and media partners. The Director serves as the City’s lead communications strategist and oversees all aspects of public information, media relations, branding, digital communications, crisis communications, and community engagement initiatives. This position works closely with the City Manager, executive leadership team, department directors, public safety agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders to promote public trust and civic engagement.

ABOUT WICHITA FALLS

As the county seat of Wichita County, Wichita Falls, Texas is in the scenic North Texas Panhandle/Plains region and spans 70.12 square miles. Known for its progressive economic environment, the city is home to 102,774 residents who enjoy a high quality of life in a setting that combines small-town charm with modern amenities. Conveniently, Wichita Falls is situated within two hours of the Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City metro areas and offers ample recreational and cultural opportunities, with a twenty-mile trail system, 38 parks, and numerous family-friendly amenities. Residents can enjoy the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, ballet troupe, theaters, and rodeos. In addition, the Multi-Purpose Event Center provides convention spaces, a 10,000-seat arena, and venues for events throughout the year, ensuring entertainment for all ages. With a low cost of living, excellent healthcare, and affordable housing, Wichita Falls remains a vibrant place to live, work, and grow.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Communications and Community Engagement for the City of Wichita Falls serves as the central hub for public information, media relations, digital communications, and community outreach. The department is responsible for ensuring residents, businesses, visitors, and stakeholders receive timely, accurate, transparent, and accessible information about City services, programs, initiatives, and emergency situations. Core functions of the department include public information and media relations; strategic communications; community engagement and public outreach; digital communications; crisis and emergency communications; branding and marketing; and internal communications support.

The department plays a critical role in strengthening public trust and fostering meaningful engagement between City government and the community it serves. Through strategic messaging, branding, public education campaigns, and two-way communication initiatives, the department supports the City’s mission of responsive and effective public service with a budget of $497,389.

By combining strategic communications with active community engagement, the department helps ensure Wichita Falls residents remain informed, connected, and involved in the future of their community.

THE POSITION

The Director of Communications and Community Engagement serves as the City of Wichita Falls’ strategic leader for public communications, media relations, and community engagement initiatives. This is a new position responsible for planning, directing, and executing comprehensive communication strategies that promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and ensure consistent messaging across all City platforms and departments. This position collaborates closely with the City Manager, executive leadership, department directors, public safety agencies, and external partners to ensure timely, accurate, and effective communication with the public. The Director also designs and implements community engagement strategies that encourage civic participation, increase accessibility to information, and foster meaningful connections between the City and the community.

The position reports directly to the Executive Director of Organizational Culture and Communications and supervises a staff of four, including the Public Information Officer, a Social Media Specialist, a Graphic Designer, and an Administrative Clerk.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will possess any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. A typical combination includes:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, marketing, graphic design, or other related fields.

• Experience: MINIMUM OF seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in public communications and/or management, including AT LEAST four (4) years of supervisory responsibility.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for the Director of Communications and Community Engagement is $142,500 to $213,428, with a hiring range of $142,500 to $177,000. Placement within this range is dependent on experience and qualifications. Retirement is provided through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TPRS). Participation is mandatory for all full-time City employees and members contribute 7% of their salary and are considered vested after 5 years of service. At vesting, the City matches all current and future funds in the account 2 to 1 upon retirement only. Employees are eligible for retirement after 25 years of service at any age or 10 years of service at age 60. A 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan is also available. The City also offers a 9/80 Work Schedule. Full-time employees may elect to work 80 hours in 9 days, if desired.

For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit a compelling interest letter and comprehensive résumé below by Monday, July 6, 2026.

Due to the public nature of searches in the State of Texas, confidential inquiries are recommended before submission of materials should you have any questions.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Ms. Julie Baca, Senior Consultant | julie@mosaicpublic.com | 970-209-0404