Are you a visionary storyteller, a champion of creativity, and a leader who thrives on shaping how communities connect with meaningful public services? The Pierce County Library System is searching for a dynamic Marketing & Communications Director to guide our voice, elevate our brand, and spark powerful engagement across Pierce County and beyond.
In this role, you’ll lead a talented Communications team and serve as the Library’s chief creative strategist- crafting modern, accessible, and compelling narratives that bring our mission to life. You’ll help lead the Library into a new chapter—bringing the creativity, experimentation, and bold thinking we aspire to but have not yet fully developed, especially in digital engagement and public storytelling.
We’re looking for a leader who:
Leads with curiosity, optimism, and cultural humility, bringing fresh thinking to a system ready for creative growth.
Guides the organization through change with empathy, clarity, and steady, people‑centered leadership.
Communicates with clarity, creativity, and inclusiveness, ensuring messages resonate across diverse communities.
Brings a modern, forward‑looking vision for the Library’s brand and public presence.
Infuses collaboration with creativity, playfulness, and an experimental mindset that energizes teams.
Navigates the complexity of public‑sector communications with political savvy and sound judgment.
Designs communication that builds access, belonging, and trust across Pierce County.
Demonstrates strong operational and people‑leadership skills, empowering staff and managing resources thoughtfully.
This role offers a flexible hybrid/remote work schedule, making it an ideal opportunity for creative professionals who thrive in collaborative, modern work environments. Beyond flexibility, it also provides a unique platform for professional growth and strategic influence. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams, shape high‑impact initiatives, and elevate the creative direction of one of the region’s largest Library systems.
As a trusted advisor to executive leadership, you'll help shape organizational strategy while ensuring the Library's organizational values – Cultural Humility, Human, Connection, Empowerment, and Transformative Hospitality - shine through clear, engaging, and community centered messaging.
Compensation
Pierce County Library System offers a compensation program which recognizes qualifications and experience relevant to each position. The starting pay is established typically within the hiring range below based upon the experience of the individual hired into the role. Our compensation package also includes annual increases for each additional year of experience and tenure in the role, up to the maximum (current year maximum outlined in pay grade range above). Eligibility for overtime is exclusive to positions which are FLSA status non-exempt below.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Regular
Location: Administrative Center
Hours Per Week: 40
Schedule:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 - 5:00pm
This position generally offers 60% remote work options available. Schedule is subject to change.
Union Status: Non- Represented
Candidate Submission Timelines:
EXTERNAL or INTERNAL Candidates: To be considered for this position please submit your resume and up to 4 additional attachments to display your knowledge, skills and abilities for consideration for this position no later than 5:00 p.m. on closing date below.
Submissions after the Closure Date below will not be considered:
Veteran Status: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should select the percentage that they qualify for, 5% or 10% during the application. More information about veteran’s preference, such as the difference in percentage can be found here and here. If you need more information please contact us at:HR@pcls.us
Position Summary
This position is a strategic and creative change leader who shapes how our community experiences the Library. Translates vision into modern communication strategies for telling compelling library stories for meaningful public engagement, and in alignment with our Leadership Competencies. Serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, and the Library’s primary public voice, balancing innovation with stewardship, and collaboration with clear accountability. Oversees and directs departmental operations including administration, service delivery, community relations, project management, risk management and program development and implementation. Participates in labor strategy, negotiations and collective bargaining processes. Oversees and manages vendor relationships and contractual agreements.
Essential Job Functions
Each function below represents a core responsibility of the role. Percentages reflect the estimated time spent on each function.
Essential Function
Description
% of Time
Marketing & Communications
Develops and implements forward‑thinking internal and external communication strategies aligned with the Library’s strategic plan. Encourages creativity, experimentation, and smart risk‑taking in branding, media relations, digital engagement, and storytelling to expand the Library’s reach and relevance. Translates complex or institutional information into clear, engaging, and visually accessible communications for staff and the public.
45%
Leadership & Administration
Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff with clarity, fairness, and consistency. Leads and supervises in a union environment, applying labor agreements with integrity while holding teams accountable for results. Builds trust, navigates change effectively, and fosters a positive, high‑performing, customer‑focused culture. Ensures timely responses to inquiries and facilitates issue resolution.
25%
Finance & Resource Management
Develops and manages operational and capital budgets. Oversees vendor relationships and contractual agreements.
12%
Accessibility & Inclusion
Oversees the implementation of accessibility best practices in communications, championing inclusive design as a creative and strategic opportunity, not just a compliance requirement. Evidence of creative problem‑solving, innovation, or modernizing communications practices through digital platforms, visual storytelling, and culturally relevant approaches that engage diverse audiences.
13%
Secondary Responsibilities
These tasks are performed occasionally or in support of primary duties:
Core Competencies
Customer Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Leadership
Problem Solving
Change and Learning
Positive Attitude
Professional Integrity
Diversity
Leadership Competencies
Interpersonal:
People Management:
Business Management:
Required Qualifications
Demonstrated success leading teams through change or transformation, particularly in public-facing or community-serving organizations
Experience navigating complex organizational or unionized environments while maintaining clear, plain-language internal and external communication
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
5–7 years of communications management experience, including 3–5 years supervisory experience.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
Must pass criminal background screening.
Technology Requirements
Required:
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 software suite, especially Outlook, Teams, and office automation tools, including Copilot
Ability to navigate web-based systems and electronic records.
Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA).
Preferred:
Experience using digital tools and platforms to create visual, accessible, and audience-focused content
Experience with presentation software and HR systems.
Ability to analyze data for decision-making.
Knowledge of government agencies
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally with or without assistance.
Frequent sitting, standing, and reaching.
Use of standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements
Regular travel for meetings, training, or events, with occasional travel outside of Pierce County.
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Communications Staff and Supervisors
