(PRMG)-Manager- Public Engagement and Communication

General Responsibilities :

The Public Engagement and Communications Manager is a senior-level role and will be responsible for overseeing the public relations department of the Birmingham Water Works. The role will oversee all content (both internal and external) published by the organization, will act as the spokesperson for media inquiries and is responsible for managing a proactive public relations strategy.

Essential Job Functions :

• Plan, implement, and manage the organization’s public relations strategies, policies and procedures. Provide feedback and oversight on media, creative and strategic plans.
• Overseeing and managing the public relations department.
• Participating in senior management meetings to stay up to date with issues and plans so communications can be prepared in advance.
• Direct projects and graphic design developed by public communications consultants.
• Develop overall public relations strategy for Birmingham Water Works.
• Conducting the final review of all external and internal communications.
• Representing the department during a company.
• Acting as on-air spokesperson on behalf of the organization.
• Attending local government meetings and building close working relationships with key city, county, regional and legislative leaders.
• Serving as a representative for Birmingham Water Works in community and public meetings.
• Managing government affairs and relationships with relevant elected officials on behalf of Birmingham Water Works.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with community representatives, customers, employees and public interest groups.
• Direct responses to all media-related inquiries and events.
• Plan and lead the development of communications programs to maintain favorable public perceptions of the organization’s accomplishments and environmental responsibility.
• Attend Board of Directors meetings and other committee meetings to stay abreast of company strategies and topics of concern.
• Develop contacts and relationships with media representatives to create opportunities for BWWB products and services to maintain a positive public image. Maintain public relations database and contacts.
• Coordinate public responses to environmental management incidents or conflicts.
• Apply journalistic writing, grammar, editing, proofreading, and interviewing principles.
• Advise staff on preparing and presenting product or service information at displays and exhibits.
• Prepare and give speeches on various water supply and conservation subjects as needed. Assist and coach staff with public speaking engagements, presentations, and preparation of articles for publication.

Essential Job Functions Con't

Essential Job Functions Con't

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field preferred

Certifications

Valid Driver’s License required

Experience :

Ten (10) plus years managing a team in communications-related field preferred. Agile thinker with the ability to create solutions as the situation evolves. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Strong experience writing press releases, public relations articles, advertising materials, etc. On-air solid presence to deliver messages to the public as needed. Experience managing consultant staff to ensure a clear strategy is created and executed. Experience developing and administering a corporate communications strategy to include social media, company website and other public relations media / tools. Strong computer, analytical, attention to detail, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Knowledge of the social media ecosystem to leverage each channel’s capabilities to achieve reach and engagement objectives.

Supervision : 1 - 4 employees

Physical Demands :

Working Environment :

Moderate noise (business office)

Work outside occasionally, subject to extreme hot / cold / wet weather conditions