Director of Communications and Community Engagement

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Sugar Land is seeking a Director of Communications & Community Engagement to help shape how a high-performing, community-focused city connects with its residents, businesses, and stakeholders. This role blends strategic leadership, public information expertise, and community engagement to ensure clear, timely, accurate, and meaningful communication. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to City leadership and elected officials, guiding how the City tells its story, communicates during critical moments, and creates opportunities for residents to be informed, heard, and involved.

This position plays an important role in strengthening transparency, building trust, and supporting a community that values both stability and innovation. For a leader who believes strong communication is essential to effective government, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact in a city that expects excellence and is committed to continuous improvement.

Sugar Land is a dynamic, diverse, and growing city. Operating under a council-manager framework, the City is led by a forward-thinking City Manager and an agile Leadership Team, who coordinate the efforts of 939 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and steward a $606 million Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

In Sugar Land, governance is about more than managing operations – it’s about trailblazing. Sugar Land sets the standard for municipalities, delivering top-tier services, fostering trust, and building community pride. The City remains committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and forward-thinking service delivery, adapting to evolving demographics, expectations, and economic conditions.

The Communications & Community Engagement Department serves as the City’s voice and a vital bridge between local government and the community. The department provides timely, accurate, and dependable information while advancing equitable public engagement and strategic communication. Supporting residents, City Council, and City departments, the department plays a central role in strengthening public trust, supporting informed decision-making, and ensuring residents have meaningful opportunities to shape the future of their city.

Staffed by a team of 12 full-time employees and an operations budget of $262,464 and $140,000 Public/Educational/Governmental Access channel funding, the department manages an integrated communications portfolio that includes serving as the City’s Public Information Office; leading all media relations; supporting elected officials; and providing crisis and emergency communications. The department also oversees digital platforms, social media, websites, email communications, digital advertising, and creative services including graphic design, branding, publications, photography, videography, and multimedia storytelling.

Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Director provides leadership and oversight of the City’s communications, media relations, digital services, creative operations, and community engagement programs. Key responsibilities include leading and managing the Communications & Community Engagement Department; budgeting, and operational planning; serving as a strategic partner to City leadership and departments; overseeing media relations, press releases, and crisis communications; building collaborative relationships with internal departments, regional partners, community organizations, and external stakeholders;

and overseeing City messaging across all media to ensure consistency and alignment with City priorities and messaging.

The anticipated salary for the Director of Communications and Community Engagement is between $138,923 - $180,544 (depending on qualifications) plus a vehicle allowance of $620 per month
. Sugar Land offers great benefits and perks including a robust pension plan with TMRS;
City-subsidized health benefits; six weeks of paid parental leave for new/growing families; flexible schedules and work from home opportunities; a down-to-earth casual work environment and dress code; a positive team-oriented culture; and employees can…