Public Information Manager

This opportunity is for current City of Richmond Office of Strategic Communications employees ONLY.

About the role

The City of Richmond Office of Strategic Communications is seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Public Information Manager. The Public Information Manager assists in the development, coordination, and dissemination of information to the public and media. This role is key in ensuring that accurate and timely information about City initiatives, programs, and events is communicated effectively. The Manager will work closely with assigned agencies for media relations, social media management, and special event management as needed.

Responsibilities

• Content Creation: Lead campaign creation, develop and edit press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and other communication materials that accurately represent the City's initiatives and programs.
• Media Relations: Serve as the official point of contact and spokesperson for assigned agency, including responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and maintaining positive relationships with local media outlets.
• Social Media Management: Work with the City’s Social Media Manager to update the City’s social media platforms, ensuring consistent and engaging content that aligns with the City’s communication strategy.
• Public Engagement: Support and, at times, lead public outreach efforts, including attending community events, coordinating public meetings, and distributing informational materials.
• Crisis Communication: Assist in the preparation and dissemination of information during emergencies, ensuring the public and media are kept informed with accurate and timely updates.
• Research & Reporting: Conduct research on communication trends, public opinions, and media coverage to inform the City’s communication strategies. Prepare reports on communication efforts and outcomes.
• Website Maintenance: Update and manage content on the City’s website, ensuring information is current, accessible, and user-friendly.
• Collaboration: Coordinate with other departments to gather information and ensure consistent messaging across all city communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a directly related field.
• Five years of public communications experience with supervisory experience preferred.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

Skills

• Graphic design concepts and production through concept, design, planning, production, and publication phases
• Familiarity with still photography
• Script writing and editing
• Video production
• Special event production through planning, budgeting, and implementation phases
• Practical applications of journalism and writing
• Marketing and communications principles and theories
• Social media platforms
• Marketing and business research
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, CRM, GIS, or other similar graphic design programs, and photo editing software
• Website content management and website analytics
• Media relations
• Event planning and production
• People management
• Oral and written communication
• Interpersonal communication
• Presentations
• Public speaking

Benefits

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $73,672 - $94,749.