City of Austin, Texas

https://www.austincityjobs.org/postings/99278

The City of Austin is a progressive, dynamic, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is responsible for appointment of the City Manager, who is the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the City, City Clerk, City Auditor, Municipal Court Judges and the Municipal Court Clerk. The Mayor, City Council and City Manager of Austin are committed to their mission of delivering the highest quality services in the most cost-effective manner. The organization’s vision is to make Austin the most livable city in the country and the City Manager’s resolve is to make it the best-managed city in the country.

The Public Information and Marketing Program Manager will lead the integrated communications team for the Corridor Program Office (CPO). This position is responsible for the marketing, public relations, media relations, public involvement, coordinating marketing initiatives, organizing departmental initiatives, leading graphic design development, video productions, and web content. The ideal candidate is a critical component of the CPO team, ensuring internal and external communications are correct, clear, concise and timely. This position will work with multiple CPO divisions, other City Departments, as well as agencies outside the City of Austin to support the diverse and complex work of these entities.

The ideal candidate is politically savvy, has an in-depth understanding of local and national media best practices, is comfortable with flexibility, and is able to work in a fast-paced working environment. This position requires managing multiple projects simultaneously, and the ability to shift from one project to another without sacrificing quality. A strong knowledge of transportation policies, events, agencies and projects will be necessary for this position. It will benefit this person to have this knowledge, but at a minimum the candidate should have a strong desire to learn and absorb this information.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Lead and supervise the Corridor Program Office Integrated Communications Team.

• Coordinate with the City Manager’s Office, City Council Offices, other city departments, and external agencies.

• Plan, organize, attend and record public engagement efforts including public meetings, town halls, press events, and more.

• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic communications plans and strategies.

• Serve as editor and coordinator for a weekly transportation newsletter, with accompanying communications elements.

• Maintain and expand the departmental online resources, which ensuring they are all compliant with ADA standards.

• Assist with developing and integrating new communication tools and technologies to support the transportation portfolio.

• Write press releases, speeches, talking points and coordinate public presentations.

• Conduct media training and provide media/communications consulting for executive team.

• Provide communications support during citywide emergencies, such as flooding, ice storms, and additional natural and manmade disasters.

Working for the City of Austin provides a number health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. For more information on City of Austin Benefits click here!

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with media, and a background in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.

• Excellent communication skills written and verbal, ability to work with city and community leaders.

• Experience managing a team of communications professionals.

• Experience planning and executing communications strategies and public involvement campaigns to reach diverse audiences while considering cultural diversity and equitable outcomes.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 2010 suite to include Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.

• Experience and interest in transportation, mobility and land use issues, especially the complexity of serving all users including, people riding transit, bicycling, walking and driving.

• Ability to problem solve under time constraints.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Journalism, Marketing, Advertising, or related field plus six (6) years of work experience two (2) of which were in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• A Master’s degree may substitute for two years of the required non-supervisory experience

• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

To be considered for this position, candidates must apply online at: https://www.austincityjobs.org/postings/99278

The City of Austin has excellent benefits and provides an exceptional retirement system as well as a 457 plan for its employees.

About Austin, Texas

Austin has long been known as a technologically advanced city, a place where new ideas go to be tested and adopted. Austin has enjoyed a robust and diverse economy for the past 10 years, with economic indicators regularly exceeding national averages. Austin metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing in the country, with a 2.9 percent increase in population in 2016. Austin, Texas has a population of 926,000, making it the 11th largest city in the country. One of the country’s most popular, high-profile “green” and culturally dynamic cities, Austin was selected as the #1 Best Places to Live (US News and World Report 4/2017), # 5 Top 25 Future-Ready US Cities (Convention Management Association Convene Magazine, 2/2016), “Best City for the Next Decade” (Kiplinger), the “Best Places to Live in the US” (US News), the “Top Creative Center” in the US (Entrepreneur.com) and #1 on the “On Numbers Economic Index” as the fastest growing economy.

EOE - City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act