City of Charlotte

Date Opened: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 12:00 AM

Close Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: Charlotte Communications Department

Salary: $89,498.81 - $111,873.51 Commensurate with Experience

SUMMARY

This position is part of the city’s Communication & Marketing team and is primarily responsible for successful implementation of external media relations and issues management/crisis communications to support the city’s strategic vision. In coordination with other city departments, the ideal manager will disseminate information to the media and support telling the city’s story to the public.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the citywide media relations team.
• Work closely with communications department leadership, department leadership and city leadership to understand relevant issues and topics, develop strategic media relations strategies and lead implementation.
• Write and distribute press releases, statements, and quotes on behalf of the city and city officials.
• Provide expert-level communications advice to city leaders.
• Lead, co-lead, or serve on project teams for a variety of city initiatives, programs, events, and announcements.
• Manage the department’s on-call system.
• Manage the department’s daily media clips system.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national reporters and outlets.
• Serve as a city spokesperson, providing official responses on behalf of the city and its departments.
• Receive media requests throughout the day and collaborate with city departments and staff to provide clear responses and information.
• Oversee the city’s pitching strategy to secure coverage of city initiatives and projects.
• Develops and oversees media relations strategy for the Communications and Marketing Department.
• Collaborate with other departments to create media strategies for campaigns, initiatives.
• Attend City Council meetings and other city meetings as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Willing and able to work public events during evenings/weekends as needed
• Willingness to take times to be on call after hours and on weekends
• Proven track record of successful media pitching at the local, regional and national levels
• Extensive problem-solving skills and solutions-oriented approach
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Perform and excel within an integrated, fast-paced team environment
• Handle multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines while prioritizing needs of the organization
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships, both internally and externally
• Excellent writing, storytelling, and editing skills and proficient in AP style
• Excellent public speaking skills and ability to effectively share technical information with various audiences
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues management, crisis communications and communication action planning

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism or 8-10 years of relevant experience
• A combination of government, agency, corporate, and/or consumer communications experience preferred
• Newsroom experience preferred
• At least two years of experience as an organizational spokesperson

Minimum Qualifications

• Embraces diverse people, thinking and styles
• Minimum of 8-10 years of media relations/corporate communications with experience in crisis plan management experience required, including day-to-day relationships with executives and news media
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Strong project management skills
• High degree of initiative and the ability manage multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines as required
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
• Must be flexible in dealing with changing priorities
• Please submit Cover Letter and Resume**

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making the job application process accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modification will be provided. To make a request, please email HRADAAdministration@charlottenc.gov, call 704-962-6168, or visit us in person at 700 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.