City of Tampa

This is highly responsible professional managerial work administering activities in the City’s Communications department.

The Media & Public Affairs Manager holds a pivotal role in overseeing and directing departmental communications coordinators with the generation of ideas for press releases and press events. This position requires strategic thinking and close communication with leaders across all city departments to share timely and crucial information with the public. Additionally, this role entails managing the Communications Strategist within the Communications and Marketing Department and overseeing logistical decisions preceding press events. The employee is required to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in strategic communications, personnel management, and special projects. The role requires collaboration with other departments and team members to ensure consistency and drafting of the proper messaging that supports the city’s goals. Work is reviewed through conferences, observation of final product and feedback from departments regarding results obtained. Appointed position: employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.

Develop and execute comprehensive local media strategies and provide support for national media engagement.

Provide expert guidance to departmental communications coordinators in crafting written materials, including speeches, press releases and talking points for press conferences.

Serve as a liaison with local news media, conducting press briefings, arranging interviews, and encouraging coverage of city programs and activities.

Maintain awareness of media deadlines and ensure timely responses to media requests.

Draft and distribute press releases and provide recommendations for response strategies in the event of unfavorable publicity.

Generate and share content on city social media accounts when needed.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of: effective public relations and public information dissemination principles and techniques; area news media and business organizations and their methods of operation; photography, printing, and publication procedure; photographic techniques; amateur video editing software.

Skill in: the operation of Macintosh and HP computers; the use of Apple iPad and iPhone.

Ability to:  plan and conduct effective press events and promotional activities; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, representatives of the news media, community organizations and businesses, and the public; communicate with varied citizen and business groups and speak effectively in public; write and assimilate materials for publication and presentation including press releases and other publicity materials.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, public administration, political science or a related field and five (5) year’s of experience in public relations or public administration.

An equivalent combination of education (not less than possession of a high school diploma/GED), training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license and ability to operate a vehicle independently required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.