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Jennifer Smart
(919) 602-5217 • jleigh.smart@gmail.com
Portfolio: jleighsmartdesigns.com

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Strategic and award-winning government communications executive with 10+ years leading public affairs, crisis communications and civic engagement in Florida and North Carolina. Proven track record of developing inclusive, results-driven campaigns that enhance transparency, build trust and elevate public participation. Experienced in managing departmental budgets, supporting executive leadership, and collaborating across departments to deliver high-impact messaging.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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City of Gainesville, Florida
Marketing and Communications Director • November 2022 – Present

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Lead citywide strategic communications planning and execution, with direct oversight of eight full-time staff specializing in creative services, broadcast, public information and community relations. Manage a $1.1 million communications budget. Provide dotted-line supervision to communications specialists in Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville Fire Rescue, Regional Transit System, Wild Spaces Public Places and other departments. Coordinate cross-departmental messaging for executive leadership, mayoral communications and city commission priorities.

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  • Spearheaded community outreach and media strategy for $8 million in federally funded Safe Streets upgrades and transit improvements.

  • Directed cross-platform crisis communications during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, achieving 2.4 million impressions in FY 2024.

  • Led campaigns supporting a 50% drop in gun murders and 42% reduction in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities.

    • Coordinated Gainesville Gun Violence Prevention Summit, bringing together public safety leaders, community partners and national experts.

    • Developed multi-platform coverage and social amplification, earning regional media attention and boosting civic participation in follow-up initiatives.

  • Supported and promoted more than 150 city programs and events annually.

    • Directed communications strategy and supported event logistics for the annual "A Very GNV Holiday Parade," in 2024 this featured 110 units, 5,000 attendees and live broadcast production with Community 12TV.

    • Built branding, digital and print campaign assets viewed more than 60,000 times in the month leading up to the parade.

  • Oversaw design and launch of the city’s first Arts, Culture & Entertainment District branding initiative to create open container “Sip & Stroll” districts

  • Oversaw rollout of monthly public affairs “GNV On the Move” television series.

  • Managed accessibility and inclusivity initiatives:

    • Oversaw translation and bilingual communication services, including 100+ hours annually of document support and Spanish-language emergency messaging, including the city’s first Spanish hurricane safety brochure.

    • Promoted inclusive access through ADA-compliant digital content and outreach to historically underserved neighborhoods.

  • Supervised the PIO in fulfilling more than 500 media inquiries and 45 mayoral press availabilities annually.

  • Collaborated with Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville Fire Rescue and Public Works on joint messaging and incident communications

    • Worked closely with the University of Florida Police Department and UF Emergency Management on public safety initiatives to protect the student population and general population as the school took the title in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Series.

 

Lee County Department of Public Safety, Florida
Communications Specialist • December 2020 – November 2022

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Managed social media, public education and community outreach for Emergency Management, EMS, Emergency Communications and Logistics.

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  • Designed countywide All Hazards Guide and seasonal emergency preparedness campaigns.

  • Developed targeted public information materials for vulnerable populations.

  • Supported internal communications and morale-building with newsletters and leadership briefings.

  • Provided design, photo and video services using Adobe Creative Suite.

    • Supported the Lee County leadership team’s strategic communications needs during Hurricane Ian, creating messaging to assist with response and recovery.

      • Produced real-time updates and visual content for social and broadcast, informing more than 200,000 residents in hardest-hit areas.

      • Provided post-storm safety messaging and reporting to demonstrate the county’s strength, unity and rapid public response.

 

City of Durham Water Management, North Carolina
Senior Public Information & Communications Analyst • December 2019 – December 2020

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  • Directed communications on infrastructure projects, capital improvements, billing and water testing.

  • Produced annual Water Quality Report and daily updates to city platforms.

  • Designed customer education campaigns around rate changes and water conservation.

  • Created internal newsletters to strengthen interdepartmental awareness and culture.

 

Wake Forest Historical Museum / Wake Forest University
Assistant Director • July 2013 – November 2019

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  • Oversaw all public-facing communications, including branding, newsletters, exhibits and grant writing.

  • Developed programming tied to university initiatives, including the Slavery, Race and Memory Project.

  • Designed printed and digital fundraising campaigns and community engagement materials.

 

WTVD-TV Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
Medical Anchor and Reporter • October 1993 – February 1999

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  • Anchored newscasts and reported on public health, education and government affairs.

  • Built trusted relationships with medical experts, elected officials and academic leaders.

  • Produced daily, deadline-driven broadcast content for multi-platform use.

 

EDUCATION

University of Florida
Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication
Minor: American History
College of Journalism and Communications

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