Community & Media Relations Manager

Community & Media Relations Manager

Under the direction of the City Manager, the Community & Media Relations Manager plans, develops, and delivers a comprehensive public information and community engagement program. The position serves as the City's spokesperson and primary media liaison; manages communications across all channels; and develops initiatives that strengthen trust, participation, and collaboration between the City and its residents, businesses, and community partners. This position acts independently, exercises discretion, and is expected to make sound judgments in carrying out sensitive and high-profile communication and community engagement activities.

Essential Functions :

Serve as the City's spokesperson; build and maintain effective relationships with media, community groups, neighboring agencies, and business groups.

Lead community outreach programs such as informational sessions, neighborhood meetings, workshops, and "Meet the City" events to promote transparency and civic engagement.

Provide creative direction for digital and visual communications (graphics, photography, and video), ensuring accessibility, brand consistency, and clear messaging.

Manage the City's online presence, including website, newsletters, and official social media channels; foster two-way communication with residents by monitoring questions and feedback.

Collaborate with departments to develop crisis and emergency communications, including timely public information for incidents, service disruptions, and urgent public safety messaging.

Monitor news outlets, media inquiries, and public sentiment to identify emerging issues and trends. Ensure the City Manager is promptly informed of critical developments, and provide recommended strategies, talking points, and corrective actions to address issues and mitigate risk.

Analyze trends, issues, and feedback to recommend strategies that improve outreach, transparency, and resident experience.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with media contacts, community groups, other agencies, and City employees and officials to meet communication and outreach needs; listens and responds with tact and diplomacy.

Establish and maintain strong, strategic, and working partnerships with news media personnel to ensure the public remains informed of critical matters in the City.

Coordinate and participate in writing and editing a variety of articles, news releases, and stories and develops content (including video and photos) for social media platforms and the City's website to educate the community and other target audiences, and to promote various City events, programs and initiatives.

Provide creative direction for online visual communications including the design, layout, and text content; incorporates innovative branding and messaging in all appropriate aspects of communication and media.

Prepare or assist in preparing speeches, scripts and other informational material for public information purposes.

Acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of City policies, principles, and strategies in order to remain current with relevant developments.

Develop communication strategies considering relevant state and federal statutes, local ordinances as well as City policy and directives.

Serve as a resource to City leaders and other management staff on media relations and procedures and processes for media responses; provide individual and / or group training on media-related processes and procedures.

Coordinate press conferences, events, tours, and interviews as directed by City Manager; provide support as needed during meetings, functions, and other events.

Attend all City Commission Meetings (regular and special) unless otherwise directed by the City Manager or designee; prepare community updates, talking points, and post-meeting summaries as needed.

Follows safe working practices and has a working knowledge of safety practices and procedures in accordance with the City's Safety and Health Program.

All employees serve an essential role in the City's disaster preparation and / or disaster recovery efforts, as may be designated by the City's Emergency Manager.

Additional Duties :

Performs related tasks or other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration or a related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, media or public relations. Government experience in media and / or public relations is preferred. Must maintain a Florida driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Must have or be able to complete ICS 100 and 700 courses within six (6) months of hire.

Supplemental Information :

Special Requirements :

Ability to convey complex issues, events, and concepts in succinct, easy-to-understand language, both in writing and orally.

Strong Knowledge of best practices of public relations, media relations, communications, promotional and marketing methods and techniques.

Proficiency with major social media platforms and content management systems including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X (formally Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Proficiency with photography / video capture and basic graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud or similar).

Ability to work with the media, write press releases and serve as media point-of-contact / spokesperson.

Knowledge of newsletter, advertisement, brochure, press release development techniques.

Ability to manage time and meet strict deadlines to complete projects and assignments.

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.

Technical Requirements :

Ability to use standard office equipment, including multi-line telephone, personal computers, word processing and data base applications.

Skill in using computer software and applications related to photography, graphic design and social media.

Working Conditions :

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Work is typically performed in an office environment; however, the employee is expected to travel within the community to attend meetings, events, and outreach activities in support of public engagement efforts.

Work requires reaching, grasping, and repetitive motions.

Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and / or to make fine distinctions in sound.

Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and / or small operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

• This position is open until filled