ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Job Description:

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Description

DESCRIPTION

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

(This is an at-will position)
Salary DOE/DOQ: $172,840 - $241,977

The Port of Long Beach (POLB), a global leader in sustainable seaport operations and one of the most significant economic drivers in the nation, is seeking a seasoned and strategic communications leader to serve as its next Assistant Director of Communications & Community Relations. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a world-class organization that sets the standard for innovation, environmental stewardship, and public service. Reporting to the Director of Communications & Community Relations, the Assistant Director will help guide a high-performing division responsible for the Port’s public voice. This includes internal and external communications, public outreach, media relations, brand strategy, and community engagement. The Assistant Director will play a critical role in assisting the Director in advancing major initiatives, such as the Green Port 20-Year Campaign, preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, navigating messages for the business community, and shaping messaging around policy changes at the international, federal, state, and local levels. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and politically astute leader with a calm and steady presence, who thrives in a fast-paced environment and embraces creative problem-solving. They will bring strong judgment, deep communications expertise, and a commitment to supporting a culture of trust, transparency, and professional growth within a mission-driven team.

To apply and see the full recruitment brochure visit: https://tinyurl.com/2j4j729b

THE DIVISION

The Communications & Community Relations Division is the steward of the POLB’s public voice, storytelling, and strategic outreach. Led by the Director of Communications & Community Relations, this multifaceted team of 20 dedicated professionals operates with an annual budget of approximately $7.7M (salaries not included), including the management of a significant $3M annual sponsorship program that supports nonprofit and governmental organizations to educate the public about and promote the Port’s mission as a key part of the local, regional, national and international economy.

The division plays a vital role in managing internal and external communications, developing public messaging, translating technical subject matter into accessible content, and ensuring consistency across the POLB’s brand and mission. The team is comprised of communications professionals with expertise in writing, media relations, crisis communications, video production, digital engagement, graphic design, website management, and event coordination — requiring seamless collaboration and shared vision.

Current Key Initiative: As the POLB celebrates the 20th anniversary of its landmark Green Port Policy, the division is leading the Green Port 20-Year Campaign , highlighting its pioneering environmental leadership and commitment to sustainable operations. The team also plays a critical role in shaping the messaging around federal, state, and local administrative policy changes, ensuring that the Port’s resiliency, values, and operations are communicated with clarity and strength to key audiences across the nation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

THE POSITION & IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Assistant Director of Communications & Community Relations is a trusted partner to the Director and a key leader within the Port’s communications ecosystem. With two direct reports and a total of 17 staff under their direction, this role requires someone who is steady, experienced, and deeply committed to the mission and integrity of the organization. Acting as a strategic thought partner, the Assistant Director must operate in tandem with the Director — someone who can be counted on to lead confidently, navigate complexity, and manage sensitive political and public-facing situations with discretion and professionalism.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned communications leader who thrives in high-stakes, fast-paced environments. They must possess a broad understanding of communications disciplines — from branding and media relations to messaging and event strategy — and be able to guide and support a diverse team of specialists with empathy, transparency, and purpose. This individual will be skilled in building strong, collaborative teams, tailoring event staffing based on each person’s strengths, and mentoring staff to grow in their roles and share ideas confidently.

Crucially, this leader must bring strong political acumen and a principled mindset — someone who won’t be swayed by external pressures or changing political landscapes, but instead keeps the focus on fairness, transparency, and advancing the mission.

The selected candidate will also bring...

• Deep experience in strategic communications, public messaging, and stakeholder engagement
• The proven ability to manage crisis communications, especially involving complex or politically sensitive issues
• Expertise translating subject matter expert content into clear, compelling public messaging
• A strong understanding of branding, scriptwriting, and public event communications
• A leadership style grounded in integrity, empathy, and collaboration
• Experience building cohesive, high-performing teams and cultivating talent

See the full recruitment brochure here: https://tinyurl.com/2j4j729b

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

HOW TO APPLY: For first consideration, apply by May 28, 2025, at: www.tristargovsolutions.com/careers

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or closely related field.
• Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible communication management experience supervising staff dealing with media relations and five years of supervisory experience.

DESIRED

• Education: Master’s degree

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Education may be substituted for lengthy experience and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

KEY DATES:

• CANDIDATE CONNECT (Information Session): To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our voluntary virtual information session on May 19, 2025, @ 5:00 pm PDT via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera.
• To join audio only, call +1 323-451-1087
• Phone Conference ID: 994 063 369#
• To join the meeting visit: https://tinyurl.com/3377rxes
• INTERVIEWS: Interviews have been firmly scheduled to take place virtually on June 18th and in-person on June 25th. Candidates must be available for both interview dates.

QUESTIONS? Please contact your recruiter, Sam Sackman, with any questions:

• Email: sam@tristargovsolutions.com
• Website: www.tristargovsolutions.com
• Phone: 408-605-0790

Employee Benefits

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally. As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

• Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% @55 for "Classic" members and 2%@62 for new members as defined by PEPRA. Subject to employee contribution. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.
• Health and Dental Insurance: The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.
• Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance: City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Management Physical: Annual City-paid physical examination.
• Vacation: Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.
• Executive Leave: Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.
• Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.
• Holidays: Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.
• Transportation Allowance: Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below;
  • Department Head $650.00
  • Deputy Director/Manager $550.00
  • Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA: $450.00
  • Executive Support Staff: $300.00
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation). City contributes 1% of employee's base pay to the employee's 401(a) plan; effective September 30, 2022, the City will contribute 2% of employee's base pay to the employee's 401(a) account. Employees may opt to contribute up to the IRS annual limits as well.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.
• Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule: Available (subject to City Manager approval).
• Paid Parental Leave: After six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

Management positions - Refer to the Job Posting brochure included in the job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 5/28/2025 5:30 PM Pacific

Salary:

$172,840.00 - $241,977.00 Annually