Creative Communications Specialist (NCS) - Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in mak,ing Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Job Summary

The Creative Communications Specialist is a member of the Mayor's Office of Arts, Culture & Entertainment (MOACE) team and collaborates across all program areas to plan, develop, and execute creative, marketing, branding, and communications initiatives. Serving as MOACE's primary in-house creative professional, this position is responsible for graphic design, photography, videography, video production, digital content creation, branding, and public communications that promote City-sponsored festivals, special events, public art, nightlife, film, and cultural initiatives. Working closely with MOACE leadership and staff, the Creative Communications Specialist develops creative campaigns, designs marketing materials, captures and edits photo and video content, manages digital assets, and helps ensure consistent branding and messaging across all MOACE programs. The position also provides on-site communications support during City events and contributes to the successful planning, promotion, and execution of MOACE initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with MOACE leadership and staff to develop creative strategies and communications that support office priorities and City initiatives.
• Develop and execute creative content for City festivals, special events, public art, nightlife, film, and cultural initiatives.
• Design and produce digital and print marketing materials, including social media graphics, flyers, posters, banners, signage, presentations, event collateral, advertisements, promotional materials, and branded merchandise.
• Produce, film, edit, and publish short- and long-form video content for social media, websites, presentations, promotional campaigns, public information initiatives, and event recaps.
• Capture professional-quality photography and videography during festivals, special events, meetings, press conferences, community activations, and other City-sponsored events.
• Edit video content by incorporating motion graphics, music, captions, animation, transitions, and branding consistent with MOACE standards.
• Draft and edit social media content, newsletters, website updates, email communications, press materials, speeches, promotional copy, and other public-facing communications.
• Develop creative concepts, branding, and visual campaigns that align with MOACE communications, marketing, and public engagement goals.
• Assist in developing and implementing communications plans, marketing strategies, and public information campaigns.
• Coordinate the production of creative assets with internal staff, photographers, videographers, printers, sponsors, media partners, artists, vendors, and contractors.
• Maintain branding standards and ensure consistency across all MOACE communications, campaigns, promotional materials, and digital platforms.
• Maintain content calendars and assist with scheduling social media, website content, and other digital communications.
• Organize and maintain digital asset libraries, including photos, videos, graphics, logos, templates, project files, and archived creative materials.
• Coordinate media logistics and provide support for press conferences, interviews, media events, announcements, and public appearances.
• Track creative deliverables, sponsorship recognition, campaign timelines, production schedules, and project milestones.
• Assist with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and public information efforts through creative storytelling and multimedia content.
• Provide on-site creative, photography, videography, and communications support during City festivals, special events, film productions, public meetings, and other MOACE initiatives.
• Prepare presentations, reports, post-event summaries, and communications materials for internal and external audiences.
• Research emerging communications, marketing, social media, and digital media trends and recommend innovative approaches to increase public engagement.
• Maintain creative equipment and coordinate the inventory of cameras, audio equipment, lighting, and other production tools.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, Marketing, Graphic Design, Journalism, Public Relations, Digital Media, Film, Visual Communications, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

AND

Experience: Experience managing multiple social media platforms and digital marketing campaigns. Experience with live event photography and videography. Experience creating motion graphics, animations, or other multimedia content. Familiarity with website content management systems, email marketing platforms, and digital analytics tools.

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong graphic design skills with demonstrated experience creating professional marketing materials for both digital and print platforms.
• Demonstrated experience producing, filming, editing, and publishing high-quality video content for social media, websites, digital campaigns, and promotional initiatives.
• Experience operating professional cameras, mobile production equipment, lighting, microphones, gimbals, and other video production equipment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Lightroom, or comparable creative software.
• Experience with photography, videography, lighting, audio production, and multimedia storytelling.
• Knowledge of branding, marketing, public information, social media platforms, digital communications, and content management systems.
• Ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously while meeting competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to think creatively and develop compelling visual content that effectively communicates City initiatives and engages diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with MOACE staff, City agencies, elected officials, artists, media partners, sponsors, vendors, and community stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, project management, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to work independently while contributing as an active member of the MOACE team.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and represent the City positively in public settings.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required to support City festivals, special events, productions, and public programs.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

Financial Disclosure

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. T he initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER