Manager, Public and Media Relations

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department Salary: $66,826.00 - $96,061.79 Commensurate with Experience Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service. This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs. The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it. Summary The Manager of Public and Media Relations leads CATS’ public information and media relations programs, ensuring accurate, timely, and coordinated communication between the agency, news media, and the public. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Communications, this position is accountable for managing day-to-day media engagement, public information dissemination, and press operations that support safe transit operations and protect organizational credibility. This role serves as the operational lead for structured media relations systems, translating operational and strategic agency activities into clear public messaging. The Manager ensures that media communications are consistent with agency priorities, aligned with operational realities, and responsive to public information needs while supporting executive leadership during high-visibility events. Main Duties & Responsibilities Media Relations Program Leadership Develop and manage CATS’ media relations program, including press outreach, media inquiries, and relationship managementEstablish standards and workflows governing media engagement and public information releaseMaintain active working relationships with local, regional, and industry media organizationsMonitor media coverage and identify emerging public narratives affecting the agency Public Information and Press Operations Oversee preparation and distribution of press releases, advisories, and official statementsCoordinate timely dissemination of operational updates and service information to media outletsEnsure accuracy, consistency, and clarity of public messagingMaintain systems for tracking media requests and responses Crisis and Incident Media Response Lead media communications during service disruptions, emergencies, and high-visibility incidentsCoordinate messaging with Operations, Safety, and executive leadershipSupport spokesperson preparation and briefingEnsure rapid, coordinated response to urgent media inquiries Executive Communications Support Prepare executive leadership for media interviews and public briefingsDevelop talking points, background materials, and briefing documentsProvide strategic guidance on media engagement approachesSupport leadership participation in public forums Content Development and Messaging Coordination Collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams to align messaging across platformsTranslate technical and operational information into accessible public languageSupport development of multimedia content for press and public distributionEnsure message consistency across channels Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement Track media engagement metrics and response performanceAnalyze trends in media coverage and public perceptionRecommend improvements to media engagement strategiesMaintain documentation and reporting systems Organizational Leadership and Staff Management Supervise public information and media relations staffEstablish performance expectations and operational standardsSupport professional development and trainingEnsure continuity of media operations Cross-Functional Coordination Coordinate with Customer Service, Operations, Marketing, and Legal teamsAlign media communications with operational prioritiesSupport cross-departmental initiatives requiring public messagingParticipate in integrated communications planning Core Competencies Media Relations Strategy and Execution: Ability to design and manage structured media engagement systems that protect organizational credibility and support transparent public communication. Establishes disciplined media workflowsAligns press engagement with agency prioritiesMaintains professional media relationships Public Messaging and Information Stewardship: Ability to translate operational complexity into accurate, accessible public messaging. Ensures clarity and consistency of communicationsAdapts messaging to audience needsProtects integrity of agency information Crisis Communication Leadership: Ability to coordinate rapid, accurate communications during high-visibility operational events. Implements incident communication protocolsMaintains composure under time pressureSupports executive decision-making Executive Advisory and Support: Ability to prepare and guide leadership in high-profile media interactions. Develops briefing materialsProvides strategic counselAnticipates reputational risks Organizational Leadership and Team Development: Ability to lead professional communications staff and maintain operational excellence. Establishes accountability expectationsCoaches and develops personnelBuilds sustainable team capacity Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to integrate media operations with broader agency activities. Coordinates across departmentsSupports joint initiativesAligns messaging with operational realities Supervision Given To Media Relations Specialist Pay: $91,000.00 - $120,000.00 Commensurate with Experience Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public information, or public communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experienceDemonstrated experience serving as a media relations lead or public information lead in a public-facing organizationExperience supervising professional staff or leading work teams, including workflow management and performance accountability Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in communications, public administration, or a related fieldExperience in a public-sector, transportation, or regulated environmentExperience leading crisis communications and incident-related public messagingExperience supporting executive spokespersons, media briefings, and high-profile public communicationsExperience using digital content platforms and engagement analytics to inform communications planning 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 and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior. Our culture is to serve the community honorably. 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 self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 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 our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120. Benefits The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits. The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.