Senior Writer

Position Description

Job Summary:The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar’s Office (HCTO) is seeking an experienced, highly skilled Corporate Communications Manager to serve as the senior writing and editorial resource, developing compelling executive communications, refining key messaging, and ensuring the accuracy, clarity, and consistency of written communication across HCTO. Reporting to the Director of Communication, this position leads the development of executive messaging, internal and external communications, including press statements and talking points, employee engagement content, publications, and other written materials, ensuring accuracy, clarity, consistency, and alignment with established communication strategies.The position exercises advanced editorial judgment and provides writing and content development expertise across a range of communication formats and audiences. The Corporate Communications Manager also supports branding initiatives, evaluates communication effectiveness, and recommends improvements to content and communication practices.

About the Tax Assessor-Collector:

HCTO is essential for ensuring the proper administration of tax laws and providing vital services to the community. The office plays a key role in local government, handling various financial, community, and administrative tasks including:

• Property Tax Collection: Assess and collect property taxes for all eligible commercial and residential property owners and entities. Calculate property taxes based on appraised values and ensure collection and distribution to the appropriate entities.
• Motor Vehicle Services: Manage commercial and residential vehicle registration, issue license plates, and handle vehicle title transfers, including the collection of associated fees.
• Voter Registration: Oversee voter registration within the county, issue voter registration certificates, and maintain an accurate voter registration roll.
• Additional Revenue Collection: Collect certain fees, fines, and revenues related to permits or state mandates, depending on the county’s needs.

Essential Duties

• Serves as the senior writing and editorial resource for the Tax Assessor and HCTO, producing and refining high-quality written communications that reflect established priorities, messaging, and communication objectives.
• Develops, drafts, edits, and refines executive communications, including speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing materials, presentations, statements, letters, articles, and leadership messages.
• Translates complex information, policies, initiatives, and organizational priorities into clear, compelling, accurate, and audience-appropriate written content.
• Leads the development and execution of internal communications, including employee announcements, organizational updates, newsletters, and other materials intended to inform and engage office staff.
• Establishes and maintains a consistent voice, tone, style, and editorial standard across communications materials prepared for the Tax Assessor.
• Provides substantive editorial review and revision of written materials to strengthen message clarity, structure, accuracy, readability, tone, and overall effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the Director of Communication to develop messaging strategies, identify communication needs, establish editorial priorities, and ensure written content supports HCTO’s objectives.
• Works with executive leadership, internal divisions, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to gather information, verify facts, develop content, and coordinate messaging.
• Oversees the development, editing, production, and distribution of internal publications and digital content, including newsletters, intranet materials, website content, and other designated communication channels.
• Develops and maintains editorial guidelines, writing standards, content review procedures, and communication protocols to support quality, consistency, and accuracy.
• Coordinates editorial calendars, content assignments, review cycles, and production schedules to ensure communications are completed within established deadlines.
• Supports branding initiatives by ensuring written materials reflect HCTO’s established identity, messaging standards, and communication style.
• Exercises sound editorial judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, complex, or time-sensitive information and determines appropriate approaches to content development and revision within established direction and approval processes.
• Monitors the effectiveness of written communications and digital content through available performance measures, audience feedback, and stakeholder input; recommends improvements to content, messaging, and delivery methods.
• Maintains awareness of effective writing, editing, and digital content practices and applies appropriate approaches to improve the quality and impact of communications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Writing, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in writing, editing, communications, journalism, executive communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, editing, and refining complex written materials for executive leadership, organizational leaders, or other high-profile audiences.
• Experience drafting speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing materials, statements, correspondence, articles, and other high-visibility communications.
• Experience managing editorial content, developing messaging, coordinating stakeholder reviews, and producing written communications for multiple audiences and communication channels.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders to gather information, validate content, and deliver accurate communications under tight deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and revision skills, including the ability to produce polished, persuasive, accurate, and audience-focused content.
• Advanced knowledge of editorial principles, grammar, syntax, structure, tone, style, and written communication standards.
• Ability to develop and maintain a consistent voice and messaging approach across executive communications, internal communications, publications, and digital channels.
• Ability to synthesize complex information, identify key messages, and communicate substantive information clearly and concisely.
• Strong editorial judgment, including the ability to assess context, audience, tone, sensitivity, factual accuracy, and potential implications of written communications.
• Ability to adapt writing style and format to different audiences, purposes, and communication needs while maintaining established messaging and standards.
• Ability to develop executive-level written materials that communicate priorities, explain complex issues, and convey information with clarity and credibility.
• Strong research, information-gathering, fact-checking, and analytical skills to support accurate and well-informed content development.
• Ability to incorporate feedback, reconcile differing perspectives, and make editorial decisions while maintaining content quality and message integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple writing assignments, establish priorities, coordinate review processes, and meet demanding deadlines.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when preparing or editing sensitive, confidential, or time-critical communications.
• Knowledge of digital publishing platforms, content management systems, and tools used to develop and distribute written communications.
• Ability to evaluate content effectiveness and recommend improvements to writing, editorial processes, messaging, and communication delivery.
• Ability to work independently within established direction, maintain high editorial standards, and provide reliable writing and content development support to the Director of Communication and executive leadership.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications. General Information

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting, subject to frequent interruptions, with extensive work at a computer workstation.
• This is a full-time, in-office position. Remote work is not available unless specifically authorized based on operational needs.
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Regular application of basic skills (calculator, keyboard, hand tools, eye/hand coordination).

Physical Demands:

• Minor physical effort required, which may involve long periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, stretching, climbing, lifting less than 30 lbs. or similar activities (e.g., filing, delivering, sorting)

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Benefits

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com