Senior Public Information Officer - Birmingham City Council

This position is not included in the Classified Service of the Personnel Board Merit System and is not governed by the Personnel Board’s Rules and Regulations or afforded Merit System rights.

About the role

As the Senior Public Information Officer for the Public Information Team of the Birmingham City Council, you will lead, develop, and plan for the dissemination of information to the general public and key stakeholders. This role ensures the Birmingham City Council’s advocacy and engagement are presented to the public accurately, timely, and consistently with widely accepted professional communication standards.

Responsibilities

• Media Relations & Strategy: Act as the official department spokesperson in the absence of an elected official (e.g., city councilor). Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and broadcasting professionals.
• Crisis Communications: Lead communication efforts during critical incidents, emergencies, or public relations crises. Draft timely and effective awareness campaigns, alerts, and statements to mitigate reputational risks and refute inaccurate information.
• Content Creation & Management: Oversee the drafting and distribution of press releases, speeches, newsletters, executive communications, and social media content. Ensure all outgoing materials are accurate and reflect the desired public image of the Birmingham City Council.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and train other Public Information team members. Assign tasks, monitor the quality of work, and ensure deadlines are met efficiently.
• Public Outreach: Develop and implement community outreach initiatives and public awareness campaigns in partnership with the Birmingham City Council. Oversee the Birmingham City Council's website, video production, social media platforms, and digital presence.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with at least ten (10) years of public information, journalism, corporate communications, and management experience. A master’s degree may be considered with seven (7) years of management experience and a consistent employment history.
• Communication Skills: Superior written and verbal communication skills. Ability to translate complex, technical data into easily understood information for the general public.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrable experience with digital content management systems, social media analytics, and basic desktop publishing or multimedia software.
• Temperament: Ability to work well under pressure, meet tight deadlines, maintain a flexible work schedule, and navigate stressful situations with tact and professionalism.

Benefits

Voluntary participation in the defined and fringe benefits plans.

Pay

Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00

Physical Demands

Work Environment: Standard office environment with potential for high-pressure situations.