Director of Communications

  • Full-time

Company Description

With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all of our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the only major airport serving the 6th largest metropolitan area in the United States and is one of the busiest airports in the Country proudly serving over thirty-four million passengers annually. The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Airport (PNE), PHL’s general aviation reliever airport, is an enterprise fund of the City of Philadelphia which is completely self-sustaining.

Job Description

The Philadelphia International Airport is seeking an exceptional candidate to serve as the Director of Communications.  Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Director of Communications will set and guide the strategy for all communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to clearly and consistently articulate and support PHL’s mission.

The Director of Communications will work closely with the senior peer group within the organization as the communications partner for strategic initiatives.

Essential Functions: 

  • Develop and implement the annual communications plan across the Airport’s discreet audiences in collaboration with the PHL team and constituents. Evaluate the results and take steps to improve outcomes.
  • Support strategic initiatives of PHL and the senior PHL team through communications programs. 
  • Collaborate with and assist Director of Marketing and Branding with all promotional efforts including support for social media, website, email, and print approaches.
  • Assist the Deputy Director of Human Resources with development and dissemination of communications to employees. 
  • Lead the generation of online content that engages audience segments and leads to measurable action. Decide who, where, and when to disseminate.
  • Put communications vehicles in place to create momentum and awareness as well as to test the effectiveness of communications activities.
  • Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral including, newsletters, brochures, and PHL’s website.
  • Mentor and lead the team responsible for PHL’s website development, maintenance, and administration. Ensure that new information (article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly and is consistent with PHL’s mission, vision, and brand.
  • Track and measure the level of engagement over time and take steps to build engagement.
  • Coordinate and organize annual meetings that engage the Airport's discreet audiences.
  • Manage all media contacts.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications related field or equivalent experience.  
  • At least 10 years of communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role within a complex organization, and covering areas such as website content, newsletters, and media communications.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels
  • Highly collaborative style; experience developing and implementing communications strategies
  • Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills
  • Strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
  • Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to "manage by influence"
  • High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
  • Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, advisory board members, media, elected officials, partners and the traveling public
  • Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives

Additional Information

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to pchr@ phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx