The Manager of Public Information and Media will supervise, manage, and oversee the public information, marketing, digital engagement, and internal communications activities and operations of the agency. This position will coordinate communications, public information, social media strategies, programs, projects, and activities with other departments, the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, member agencies, outside organizations, stakeholders, and the public.
Job Responsibilities
• Coordinate external communications for the agency by developing and directing media relations and public information assistance programs; coordinate press releases, news advisories, press conferences, and other special events with media interest; ensure information released to the media/public is accurate, timely, transparent, and consistent.
• Oversee written content on the agency’s websites to ensure information is open and transparent; continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the website; ensure information is provided in an efficient and timely manner to the public and stakeholders; recommend site improvements.
• Manage and coordinate the development, preparation, and implementation of a diverse range of communications plans; coordinate with the Manager of Outreach to ensure consistent, equitable, inclusive, and diverse community engagement activities; lead education efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of SANDAG activities, programs, and projects.
• Lead social media efforts and explore the possibilities of all platforms to develop a flexible public relations and marketing strategy to enhance and grow the agency’s digital engagement throughout the region, state and nationally.
• Oversee a comprehensive internal communications program to effectively inform and inspire employees by conveying relevant and
timely information and creating opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and coordination.
• Prepare Board members, executives, and senior staff for public meetings, television, radio and print interviews, public speaking engagements, and other events; serve as spokesperson for the agency and liaise between SANDAG and the media on matters of agency policy and public information.
• Provide strategic communications advice to leadership on regional issues related to SANDAG programs, activities, and operations.
• Supervise, mentor, train, and provide career development opportunities for employees.
• Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; coordinate work plans for project teams; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; review staff work when issues or challenges arise.
• Actively manage existing and new contracts and procurements for the Strategic Communications team. Develop project plans, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), scopes of work, project deliverables, budgets, and schedules; participate in the selection of consultants and vendors; administer contracts and ensure projects progress on schedule, within the approved budget, and at a consistently high level of quality; ensure projects are completed in adherence to funding agency requirements.
Experience and Qualification
• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in journalism, communications, marketing, or a related field. A combination of education and recent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least seven years of increasingly responsible, professional public information, public outreach, communications, journalism, or marketing experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and coordinate public information, public involvement, and communications plans for a broad range of programs, services, and activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective communications techniques and public relations; demonstrated ability to take initiative in identifying and meeting communications needs.
• Demonstrated understanding of political, economic, and social trends and principles as they apply to SANDAG programs, activities, and operations.
• Demonstrated understanding of various issues affecting the San Diego region related to transportation, land use, environment, economic development, housing, and public safety.
• Demonstrated understanding of the practices and operations of news gathering and reporting organizations; experience arranging press conferences and securing media coverage to promote public understanding of projects; familiarity with regional information resources and local news media sources, including websites.
• Experience preparing individuals for public meetings, TV, radio, and print interviews, public speaking engagements, and other events; experience developing speeches, testimony, speaking points, and presentations appropriate to the audience; demonstrated experience planning and implementing various meetings and special events.
• Experience preparing and releasing information that is consistent with organizational policies and priorities; experience coordinating the design and production of print materials and publications.
• Successful project management experience including preparing budgets and schedules; developing grant proposals, RFPs, scopes of work, and contracts; experience evaluating proposals and selecting and managing consultants.
• Outstanding researching, writing, and editing skills; experience designing and writing engaging and compelling informational material for
publication and presentation for a variety of audiences and purposes.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to prepare and deliver public presentations to Boards, community groups, and other audiences. Spanish language skills desirable.
• Capacity to establish, maintain, and foster cooperative and collaborative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; ability to gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and persuasion.
How to Apply
Interested candidates may apply for this position by completing a SANDAG
Employment Application
at sandag.org/careers.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SANDAG will accommodate persons who require assistance in order to apply for a position at SANDAG. Applicants requiring an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the recruitment and selection process, including requesting this document and related application materials in an alternative format, should make their needs known by contacting Human Resources at hr@sandag.org
, (619) 699-1900, (619) 699-1904 (TTY), or fax (619) 699-6905.
Benefits
Our benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as employee assistance, wellness, and work/life balance programs. Retirement and financial security benefits are provided through a pension plan and deferred compensation program. SANDAG offers flexible work schedules and employees are provided with paid time off and paid holidays.
The employee selected for this position will be offered a three-year At-Will employment contract, which provides an annual $5,000 contribution to their defined contribution plan.
Further Information
In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, applicants hired by SANDAG must show acceptable proof of identity and evidence of authorization to work in the United States.
The selected candidate can anticipate a driving record check upon hire, and approximately annually thereafter. The results of the check may determine whether the selected candidate will be permitted to drive for SANDAG business.
SANDAG requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID 19 within 45 days of hire; the COVID-19 vaccine booster also is required within 30 days from the date of hire, or 30 days after becoming eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster, whichever is sooner; reasonable accommodation requests will be considered.
SANDAG employees are expected to work in-person in our San Diego office.
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