A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia airport is a dynamic place to work. It is the only major airport serving the 7th largest metropolitan area in the United States and is one of the busiest airports in the country. The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation oversees both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Airport (PNE), the city’s general aviation reliever airport. The airport system operates through the Aviation Fund, which is an enterprise fund of the City of Philadelphia and is completely self-sustaining using no local taxpayer dollars to operate. Learn more about the airport at www.phl.org.

Our Mission: Proudly connecting Philadelphia with the world

Our Vision: World-class global gateway of choice

Our Values:  

    •    People First - Our employees, stakeholders and passengers

    •    Respect - To our customers and our environment

    •    Integrity - We hold ourselves responsible for what we do, say, and think

    •    Diversity – Purposefully Inclusive and accepting of all

    •    Excellence - We hold ourselves to the highest standards of service, innovation, and efficiency

Reporting to the Deputy Director for External Affairs, the Director of Strategic Communications sets and guides the strategy for all communications, including crisis communications, to clearly articulate PHL’s mission and tell PHL’s story in a positive and compelling way. The role will work closely with the senior team and across functions as a key communications partner for strategic initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement an annual communications plan. Align communications with PHL’s broader strategic aims including marketing, branding, and guest experience. Evaluate results and take steps to innovatively build engagement and improve outcomes.
• Serve as primary spokesperson. Manage all media contacts and media events.  Act as internal point of contact for communications validation of responses to potentially sensitive external stakeholder requests.
• Develop and own the company’s reputational and crisis communications programs and tools. Expand crisis communications competency through education and training.
• Lead and support the Public Affairs and Public Information team.
• Manage the activities and budget of outside communications professionals.
• Manage all external communications including the annual report, executive communications and talking points, public information, story ideas and social media channels.
• Lead the team responsible for PHL’s website development and administration. Ensure that new content is posted regularly and is consistent with PHL’s mission, vision, and brand.
• Manage internal communications and messaging, including assisting the Deputy Director of Human Resources with development and dissemination of communications to employees. 
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Marketing and Branding to coordinate all promotional efforts including strategic and tactical support for social media, website, email, and print approaches.
• Create, promote, and maintain an inclusive workplace that acknowledges, understands, accepts, values, celebrates and respects the differences among individuals, in such areas as, race, age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, culture, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, or other demographics.
• Ensure that practices, processes, and programs are impartial, fair and provide equal possible outcomes for every individual.
• Take active steps to eliminate acts, behavior, and speech, which reflect discrimination and prejudice.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A storyteller who can transform knowledge into exciting, positive, and useful messages and disseminate it strategically to the right audiences through the best distribution channels.
• Experience developing and implementing communications and crisis management strategies and tactics.
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration including marketing.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• Energetic, mature, collaborative leader with the ability to serve as a positive and unifying force.
• Relationship builder with high emotional intelligence and the finesse to "manage by influence" across functions.
• Self-starter, able to work independently. Innovative; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 40 hours per week. Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired.

• BA/BS degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field or equivalent experience.
• At least seven (7) years of strategic communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role within a complex organization, including media relations, executive communications, crisis communications, website and social media content, newsletters, and talking points.
• At least two (2) years of experience managing and supervising direct reports and motivating diverse teams.
• Demonstrated skills in developing and executing effective multi-media public relations, corporate communications, and external communications plans.
• Direct media relations management experience, media training and experience as a spokesperson.
• Demonstrated crisis communications management experience, with extensive knowledge of traditional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) roles and responsibilities.
• Must pass and maintain SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) and AOA (Airfield Operations Area) Clearance at the time of appointment and during tenure of employment.

Additional desirable qualifications:

• Previous communications experience within the public sector.
• Previous aviation communications experience.
• FEMA Emergency Management Institute Certified.
• Direct experience supporting executive communication.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

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 [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx