Airport Communications Director, Sr

Atlanta International; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Atlanta seeks a Senior Communications Director to lead the Communications Division within the Department of Aviation. The role directs media relations, community engagement, and internal communications while shaping public messaging across channels.

The position requires strategic planning, policy guidance, and coordination with city leadership to maintain transparency and public confidence. Strong leadership and crisis communications skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Six (6) years of experience in public relations, journalism or communications, with media relations responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees the Communications Division, managing media relations, community engagement, and internal communications.
• Develops and implements strategic communication plans aligning with city objectives and policies.
• Oversees creation and distribution of press releases, advisories, statements, newsletters, and legislative briefings.
• Ensures consistent messaging across print, broadcast, social media, and digital channels.
• Leads crisis communications and serves as spokesperson during emergencies or sensitive situations.

Skills

Strategic communication

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communications

Public affairs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications

Job description

Hiring Department: Department of Aviation

General Description and Classification Standards:

Reporting to the Airport Assistant General Manager, this role directs the Communications and Media Relations business units.

This position is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and strategic direction of the Communications Division. The Senior Communications Director develops and executes comprehensive communication strategies that support the Airport’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The role includes allocating and managing departmental resources, ensuring operational efficiency across public affairs, media relations, and community engagement units. The Director also plays a key role in shaping organizational policy, guiding the Airport’s communication strategies, and contributing to the overall strategic planning process to strengthen stakeholder trust, transparency, and public confidence.

Supervision Received:

Under the direction of the Assistant General Manager, this position requires work to be completed independently with minimum supervision. Direction received focuses on strategic objectives and is typically collaborative in nature. This makes policy recommendations and would be considered “upper-middle” management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Directs and oversees the Communications Division, managing subordinate managers responsible for media relations, community engagement, and internal communications.
• Develops and implements strategic communication plans to enhance the organization’s reputation, transparency, and alignment with city and departmental objectives.
• Oversees the preparation, editing, and distribution of key communication materials, including press releases, media advisories, executive statements, newsletters, and legislative briefings.
• Ensures consistent messaging across all internal and external communication channels, including print, broadcast, social media, and digital platforms.
• Reviews and approves public information materials to ensure compliance with organizational policies, brand standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Manages crisis communications by developing proactive strategies and serving as a key spokesperson during emergencies or sensitive situations.
• Coordinates with business units, tenants, airlines, and community partners to promote major initiatives, projects, and events.
• Leads planning and execution of media events, press conferences, community forums, and stakeholder meetings to communicate strategic priorities and project milestones.
• Oversees the collection, analysis, and presentation of communication metrics to evaluate performance, audience engagement, and campaign impact.
• Drives performance, productivity, and accountability within the communications team through measurable, results-oriented metrics.
• Ensures alignment between organizational goals, public communication efforts, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develops and maintains relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to strengthen coverage and manage public perception.
• Collaborates with City leadership and Airport executives to identify communication goals, key messages, and opportunities for storytelling.
• Provides guidance, coaching, and mentoring to communications managers, specialists, and support staff to promote professional growth and excellence.
• Establishes division-wide strategies, policies, and procedures for media relations, community engagement, and brand management.
• Makes high-level communication decisions in response to emerging issues, ensuring the organization’s image, credibility, and customer confidence are upheld.
• Represents the organization at key public events, industry forums, and community meetings as the senior communications representative.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Comprehensive knowledge of communications laws, public information regulations, and media policies, including open records, public affairs protocols, and crisis communication standards.
• Extensive understanding of the aviation and transportation industry, including major stakeholders, passenger experience trends, airline partnerships, and community impact considerations.
• Expert skill in strategic communication and stakeholder engagement, with the ability to effectively and professionally interact with elected officials, executive leadership, employees, media representatives, and the general public.
• Proficiency in developing and interpreting complex communication materials, including media briefings, executive correspondence, public statements, and legislative documentation.
• Strong analytic and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess communication challenges, evaluate alternative approaches, and recommend evidence-based strategies that advance organizational goals.
• Ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences through multiple communication channels.
• Adept at interpreting and applying organizational policies, political dynamics, and community concerns to guide decision-making and maintain credibility.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential or sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools, media monitoring platforms, and performance analytics to measure outreach effectiveness and refine messaging strategies.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience –

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields and demonstrate

Six (6) years of experience working in public relations, journalism or in a communications capacity, managing public and media relations, preferably in a transportation environment.

Licensures and Certifications -

Preferred Requirements –

Strong media contacts and a track record of securing proactive placements and/or writing assignments on deadline.

Demonstrated ability to earn print, television, radio and online media.

Ability to distill complex positions into sound bite-ready talking points and deliver them as a professional spokesperson.

• Physical lifting and sensorial capabilities are required to perform this job successfully.
• The position requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting of 10+ pounds frequently.
• The position requires climbing, balancing, crouching, crawling or the use of stairs and ladders frequently.
• The position requires reaching/working overhead never or occasionally.
• This position requires the ability to work in inclement weather and in varying temperatures.
• The position may require the ability to work in a confined space.

Lifting Requirements:

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.

Job Info

• Job Identification 33178
• Job Category Operations
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30320, US