Marketing & Communications Specialist - Web & Graphic Design

Purpose

The City of Savannah is seeking a highly qualified Marketing & Communications Specialist - Web & Graphic Design to join our team. This position collaborates across departments to translate complex information into user-friendly content and impactful visuals, while leveraging data and insights to improve communication effectiveness and resident experience. The ideal candidate is a creative and analytical professional who thrives in a collaborative environment, values accessibility and usability, and is passionate about delivering high-quality, resident-centered communications.

The Marketing & Communications Specialist - Web & Graphic Design will perform a variety of complex technical and professional functions related to communications and marketing including management of the City’s digital, online, social, and emerging media communications. Responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving content for the City’s website, government social media channels, digital displays, and other digital platforms.

The Marketing & Communications Specialist - Web & Graphic Design also develops graphic and visual communication materials that support City initiatives, public information campaigns, and community engagement. The role combines web content strategy, user experience best practices, analytics, and visual design to ensure communications are clear, accessible, visually compelling, and aligned with the City’s brand and communication goals.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan, write, and improve navigational labels, UX content, web page content, and training materials according to established content standards.
• Monitor the existing website and analytics to determine revision or refinement needs; determine causes of malfunctions or inefficiencies and incorporate corrections.
• Manage and maintain website content through the City’s content management system (CMS), including page creation, updates, and content organization.
• Prepare user system and process documentation; assist in formulating and enforcing documentation standards.
• Create new resident-centric content standards as needed and ensure they are applied effectively.
• Ensure web content meets accessibility and usability standards and aligns with user experience best practices.
• Train collaborators (e.g., City departments, vendors, and team members) on content standards, plain language, web writing best practices, and web application usage.
• Plan and facilitate co-writing and information architecture workshops with users and stakeholders.
• Lead or assist in website redesign and continuous improvement initiatives focused on usability, accessibility, and resident experience.
• Work openly and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to effectively implement content recommendations.

Graphic Design & Visual Communications

• Design digital and print materials including social media graphics, website graphics, digital display content, flyers, brochures, reports, presentations, and other marketing materials.
• Create visual assets that support public information campaigns, community engagement efforts, and City initiatives.
• Ensure all materials align with the City’s brand standards, messaging, and visual identity.
• Develop templates, toolkits, and design standards to support consistent visual communication across departments.
• Perform basic photo editing, image optimization, and visual asset management for digital and print use.
• Collaborate with communications staff and departments to translate complex information into clear, engaging visual formats such as infographics and diagrams.

Digital Strategy, Data & Collaboration

• Provide data management including creation, maintenance, and organization of citywide documents and digital assets.
• Analyze performance data and create strategies for improving user experience, client satisfaction, and effectiveness of communications.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness of communications activities across digital platforms.
• Evolve content and design efforts based on insights gleaned from evaluation and analytics.
• Develop project timelines based on tasks and level of effort to complete tasks.
• Establish, execute, and manage project teams and timelines.
• Proactively manage projects and project contributors to ensure deadlines are met.
• Problem-solve through ambiguity and when challenges arise.
• Act as liaison between software and hardware vendors and end users as needed.
• Lead or assist teams focused on upgrading the organization’s websites and online presence.
• Work with other departments in aligning public relations and community relations strategies and communication.
• Work in collaboration with management and colleagues to create effective communications that reflect the City brand.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer programming, application development, web development, graphic design, graphic arts, journalism, public relations, marketing, mass multimedia communications, or a closely related field plus at least three (3) years progressively responsible experience in web content management, digital communications, computer-based graphic illustration, layout and design, marketing and promotion, and/or communications, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent communicator: Ability to take a complex subject and break it down into crisp, simple language.
• Empathetic: Ability to imagine navigating City services and programs from the perspective of residents and identify actionable improvements in both content and design.
• Analytical/systems thinker: Ability to envision how content and visual communications fit together across departments and platforms.
• Relationship-builder: Ability to work with a variety of people and personalities, listen and ask questions, and cultivate relationships that promote collaboration.
• Curious: Practices active listening, asks thoughtful questions, and seeks opportunities to learn new skills and improve existing ones.
• Rigorous: Driven by thoughtful, quality, and detail-oriented processes and project outcomes.
• Organized: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, estimate timelines, adapt to unforeseen challenges, and meet deadlines.
• Action-oriented: Ability to identify opportunities, navigate barriers, and develop solutions that enhance the City’s communications and processes.
• Broad spectrum: Working knowledge of design, digital communications, and development processes to collaborate effectively across disciplines.
• Resilient: Ability to learn from setbacks, adapt quickly, and maintain a positive approach to challenges.
• Amplifier: Ability to amplify others’ strengths and successes and operate beyond ego and self-interest.

Additional Information