Public Relations Manager, Senior Job at City of Atlanta in Brookhaven

Job Expires: Posted Until Filled

Salary Range: $54,525.35 - $72,682.62 - $90,839.88

General Description and Classification Standards 

The Sr. Public Relations Manager for the Department of City Planning (DCP) in the City of Atlanta, is a part of the department’s Marketing and Communications team and is responsible for developing and executing strategic public relations initiatives to enhance DCP’s visibility, foster community engagement, and strengthen public awareness of key planning policies and projects. This role requires a seasoned communications professional with expertise in public relations, media relations, crisis communications, and community outreach. The Senior Public Relations Manager will work closely with internal teams within the 5 Offices within DCP - Office of the Commissioner, Office of Buildings (OOB), Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), Office of Design (OOD), and Office of Zoning and Development (OZD), urban planners, administration appointees, elected officials, external stakeholders, to ensure that the department’s messaging is clear, consistent, and effectively communicated to the public.

The DCP Marketing and Communications (MarComm) team is responsible for:

• Presenting DCP’s projects, events, and campaigns as part of an overarching strategy to build the beloved community through Atlanta City Design (ACD).
• Creating resident-focused communication and engagement that is understandable to all Atlantans and encourages active engagement in our work.
• Presenting DCP as a unified department by showcasing the connections between projects and offices.
• Showcasing the impact of our work using data and effective graphic design.
• Communicating DCP work internally so that all staff are knowledgeable about all work across the Department and can participate.
• Establishing a standard of high quality for everything we release

Supervision Received:

This role is housed in the Commissioner’s Office of DCP, it reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and works in close partnership with other MarComm team leaders.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Public Relations Strategy Development:

  Lead the creation and execution of comprehensive public relations strategies that promote the department’s goals, programs, and initiatives to various target audiences, including residents, city officials, the media, and community organizations.

  Ensure alignment with the department’s overall strategic objectives and the city’s broader communications strategy.

• Media Relations:

  Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to secure coverage for the department’s key projects and initiatives.

  Act as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, respond to interview requests, and coordinate press events and briefings. 

Maintains and actively updates media contact and partner rosters from online media directories and internal resources campaigns, events, human interest profiles, and lifestyle topics. Assists in identifying and cultivating relationships with key digital influencers, bloggers and trade media.

Maintain and update (as needed) SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for media requests for interviews, public comments, etc. 

Helps develop backgrounders, craft pitch emails and assists with writing talking points/remarks. 

Supports Communications Manager in executing media relations programs by finding opportunities to showcase positive DCP stories.

Draft press releases, media advisories, talking points, and op-eds, ensuring accuracy and alignment with city policies. Monitoring publicity and press coverage.

• Crisis Communications:

  Lead the department’s crisis communication efforts, including preparation of media responses and internal communications.

  Provide strategic advice to senior leadership during critical or sensitive situations to mitigate reputational risks.

• Community Engagement & Outreach:

  Develop and implement outreach campaigns that inform and engage the community on important DCP initiatives and projects. 

  Assist project managers / urban planners in organizing public meetings, forums, and workshops to gather feedback and keep the public informed. Assists in the preparation, execution and coverage of DCP related events.

• Content Creation & Digital Media:

  Oversee the creation of compelling content for the department’s website, social media platforms, and other digital channels. Including creating and editing copy for promotional materials, social media post captions, video scripts, etc.

  Ensure the department's messaging is consistent across all platforms, and drive engagement through targeted content.

  Manage the creation of visual materials, including infographics, presentations, and video content, to support communications efforts.

• Internal and External Communications:

  Collaborate with internal teams and department senior leadership to ensure that department staff are well-informed about key public relations initiatives, project updates, and community feedback. Media training staff employees on how to handle press interviews and other media inquiries and coordinating photo opportunities.

Provide communications support for internal meetings and initiatives.

• Measurement & Reporting:

  Develop metrics to assess the effectiveness of public relations efforts and track media coverage, community feedback, and overall public perception.

Stays abreast of and prepares monthly reports on DCP project campaigns and all related media coverage from using departmental media monitoring technology for traditional broadcast, print, digital, and social media.

Report regularly to leadership on the impact of communications strategies.

• Other duties as needed

Leadership Provided:

The Sr. Public Relations Manager has formal supervisory authority to include discipline, performance management, scheduling, training, etc. of all direct reports – including the Public Information Officer (PIO) on the MarComm team. 

The Sr. Public Relations Manager manages the PIO in (but not limited to):

• Developing social media content and calendar, prepares editorial calendar, contributes content ideas, sources events, monitors and responds to inquiries on all social media platforms.
• Tracks schedule for video content creation and dissemination to Department of City Planning social media channels.
• Helps in creating promotional content and developing marketing collaterals for prospective vendors, sponsors, and partners.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leader and collaborator.
• Knowledge of journalism and news media practices, policies and procedures.
• Acute ability to distill complex positions into sound bite-ready talking points and deliver them as a professional spokesperson. 
• Superior attention to detail and quality control of ideas.
• Effective editing skills, plus excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to shape the story and manage the message in media communications.
• Proven track record of success working independently with an ability to excel in a fast-paced environment and constantly changing priorities.
• Experience integrating varied communications channels (organizational publications, social media and web sites) into media strategy.
• Track record of securing proactive media placements.
• Keen ability to work well independently, in a team environment, and with people at all levels of the organization.
• Knowledgeable of Associated Press (AP) Style writing, editing, formatting.
• Strong computer skills e.g. Microsoft Office products, databases and social media.
• Occasional night and weekend work as needed to reach community members.
• Superior organizational and time management skills. including demonstrated experience managing multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Experience strategic marketing and working with integrated marketing campaigns.
• General knowledge of media and advertising opportunities in the Atlanta market a plus.