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Posted: January 9, 2026 (6 days ago)

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Director of Strategic Communications and Community Partnerships

County of San Mateo

County Executive's/Clerk of the Board

Fresh

Location

Redwood City, California, 94063-1663

Salary

$90.48 - $113.11

per hour

Closes

January 27, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading communication strategies and building partnerships with community groups for San Mateo County's executive office, helping to share important updates and connect with diverse residents.

It suits experienced leaders who excel at managing teams, handling public messaging during tough situations, and fostering inclusive relationships in a bustling California county.

Ideal candidates are strong communicators passionate about public service and community engagement.

Key Requirements

  • Proven experience in strategic communications, including managing media relations and messaging on sensitive issues
  • Demonstrated staff management experience, including leading and supervising teams
  • Strong ability to build and maintain community partnerships, especially with diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic groups
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as shown in a detailed cover letter
  • Relevant qualifications in public administration, communications, or related fields
  • Ability to pass a civil service examination process, including application screening and interviews
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in a government setting

Full Job Description

The County Executive Office is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of
Director of Strategic Communications and Community Partnerships.

Please view our Online Brochure for detailed information about the position and instructions on how to apply.

Additional Information

How to Apply
To apply for this exciting career opportunity, the following materials must be submitted online at https://jobs.smcgov.org or by clicking the "Apply" button above:
  1. Resume; and
  2. A cover letter that provides (in this order):
    • A summary of your relevant qualifications;
    • An example of a sensitive issue you presented to the media that demonstrates how you managed messaging and clearly communicated your organization's position on the issue; and
    • A summary of your staff management experience.

Applicants failing to provide a complete cover letter addressing all the bulleted points noted above will not be moved forward in the process.

Examination Process
This is a classified position and therefore subject to Civil Service-compliant examination process. The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) and an interview which may include a pre-interview exercise. Applicants must successfully pass the application screening to move forward to the interview process. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

Recruitment Timeline
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the following timelines are confirmed.

Final Filing Date: Monday, January 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PST
Application Screening: January 28, 2026
Interview Invite Notices: February 3, 2026
Combined Civil Service and Hiring Interview: February 9, 2026
Finalist Interviews: February 16 and 23, 2026

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/10/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-sanmateo-4951284