Digital Strategy and Social Media Manager

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Job Req ID: 977 

Division: Communications Department 

Salary Range: $167,003.00 to $167,003.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Communications 

Personnel Area: Communications Department 

Closing Date: 09/25/2026 

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Under the direction of the Communications Department Director, the Digital Strategy and Social Media Program Manager will help guide the City of San Diego’s brand presence and manage the City’s social media channels and other digital platforms with a focus on content development and equitable access. This position will advise City leadership on best practices for digital engagement while ensuring adherence to the City’s Social Media Administrative Regulation. Additionally, the position will supervise team members and provide training to staff. The position may also manage an annual budget of marketing funds, coordinate with the Corporate Partnerships Office on existing marketing agreements, and oversee contracts as needed to expand the City’s outreach efforts through both digital and traditional promotion methods.

This position will be required to attend upper-level management meetings and deliver presentations to the executive team, City Council and the Mayor’s Office.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

• Implement and coordinate policies and procedures as it relates to digital platforms and social media management for Mayoral Departments; identify and recommend methods to improve engagement with San Diego residents in all communities.
• Develop and administer strategic communications campaigns to provide clear, engaging, informative and consistent messaging for both internal and external audiences, and measure the effectiveness of each campaign.
• Manage and produce content for strategic communications campaigns, working with public information officers, graphic designers, photographers and video team.
• Monitor trends to build brand awareness and expand the City of San Diego’s digital footprint through Inside San Diego and other platforms.
• Ensure training and monitoring of departmental social media accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, LinkedIn and Nextdoor. Inform leadership of potential high-profile issues and establish rapid response protocols.
• Coordinate special projects at the Director’s discretion.
• Respond to crisis and emergency situations.
• Measure campaign performance, track key performance indicators (KPIs) and turn complex channel data into clear strategies to guide management decisions.
• Adapt quickly to learn and advise on industry’s best practices and new platform features.
• Supervise and support direct reports.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public administration, policy or a related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience working in digital marketing, social media or online community management, ideally for a government agency, nonprofit or political office.
• Demonstrated experience managing social media programs representing multiple stakeholder groups, with an understanding of major social networks and how to tailor content for each one.
• Excellent writing and copyediting skills.
• Able to create professional-level short-form videos, photos and copy for online platforms using tools including Canva, Adobe Creative Suite and Sprout Social.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and perform budget-related analysis.
• Be highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment.
• Crisis and emergency operations experience is a plus.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be considered.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the political landscape in San Diego and top issues impacting the City as an organization.
• Experience developing and leading successful outreach and educational campaigns in collaboration with stakeholders and partner organizations.
• Familiarity with digital marketing tools, specifically those available to government organizations, and using methods of traditional advertising to reach diverse communities.
• Experience working with broadcast and print media organizations in San Diego to share the City’s messages.
• Experience in successfully managing crisis communications with the media.

The Department: 

The Communications Department provides information to educate and engage the public and City employees, effectively delivering accurate and consistent messages regarding City initiatives, programs, events and services in coordination with City departments and the Mayor’s Office. Additionally, the Communications Department oversees the City’s responses to news media; manages content for the City’s website and social media accounts; produces videos, graphic design and printed materials, and CityTV programming. The Communications Department is also responsible for internal communications to City employees through the City’s intranet, CityNet, employee notifications, videos and production of an employee newsletter.  For more information, please visit this link.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan". 

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.). 
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate. 
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance. 

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees  (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924. 

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:

Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information.  Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.