Assistant Director Public Relations

Detroit Land Bank Authority; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Land Bank Authority seeks an Assistant Director, Public Relations and Community Engagement to lead communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement in Detroit. You will guide branding, digital strategy, and city-wide outreach while aligning with executive priorities.

The role requires senior leadership experience, excellent written and verbal skills, and a deep understanding of Detroit's media landscape and civic processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or a related field.
• 7+ years’ experience in leadership roles within communications or public relations.
• Background in Detroit media market and civic engagement is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines with strong team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as theDLBA spokesperson; manage media relations and city council communications.
• Lead integrated marketing and brand strategy across multiple platforms and channels.
• Oversee digital communications, social media, and analytics to measure impact.
• Supervise City Council liaison and Community Engagement Manager; guide stakeholder relations.
• Partner with executive leadership on strategic communications and organizational initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing communications team.

Skills

Leadership experience

Public speaking

Verbal and written communication

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Social media campaigns

Collaboration across teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or a related field

Job description

General Job Summary

The Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) is a public authority responsible for turning Detroit’s vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed property back to productive use. Currently, the DLBA manages an inventory of approximately 56,000 properties through various programs, including auction and side-lot sales, community partnerships, and has robust legal and financial management functions in place to support those efforts. The DLBA thrives on a culture of openness, trust, and integrity. Ethical behavior is a staple of any successful organization, a team effort that involves the participation and support of every employee and everyone who interacts with us. Our goal is to conduct business fairly, impartially, in an ethical manner, and in complete compliance with the law. We promote a trustworthy and honest culture, and we will reinforce the vision of that standard throughout the organization.

The Detroit Land Bank Authority is seeking an Assistant Director, Public Relations and Community Engagement. This individual will be a key member of the DLBA team that will support the Chief Executive Officer (or her designated designee) in the development and implementation of the DLBA’s communication plans and policies; and will also provide leadership, direction, and management to the key functions including Media Relations, Social Media presence, and City Council Relations. The Assistant Director should foster an employee-oriented, technology-enabled, high-performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity and standards, goal attainment, and ongoing improvement.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

This individual is expected to possess a demonstrated track record of success in leadership roles requiring delivery of multiple tasks and balancing multiple priorities. The ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people, junior and senior staff, and both internal and external customers will also be key. The Assistant Director is expected to be a spokesperson for the DLBA, fully knowledgeable of all DLBA programs, policies, and activities. This individual will be responsible for providing direct oversight of the following functions:

Public Relations

Serve as the central point of contact for reporters and media outlets to ensure a coordinated response on all DLBA-related issues is accessible and timely. Actively cultivate, build, and maintain relationships with reporters and newsrooms covering the Detroit market and submit DLBA stories for coverage. Strategize positive ways to engage the media to provide proactive coverage of events hosted by the DLBA. Work closely with DLBA leadership and staff to ensure that coordinated media responses and appearances are delivered in a timely. Craft the narrative to present to local and national media outlets showcasing the work and economic impact of the organization.

Marketing, Advertising And Brand Strategy

Lead the organization’s integrated marketing and advertising strategy to increase public awareness, strengthen brand positioning, and support organizational priorities across multiple platforms.

Develop and oversee multi-channel marketing campaigns, paid advertising initiatives, television and radio commercials, digital advertising, print collateral, email marketing, and promotional materials to educate residents and increase participation in DLBA programs and services.

Identify new marketing opportunities, develop innovative campaigns, and leverage data, market research, and community insights to maximize audience engagement, improve campaign performance, and increase program participation. Ensure brand consistency across all communications and marketing efforts while continuously evolving the organization’s visual identity and messaging strategy.

Digital Communications And Social Media

Provide strategic leadership for the organization’s digital communications and social media presence to enhance brand awareness, engage target audiences, support organizational goals, and drive measurable results.

Oversee content strategy, creative development, editorial planning, publishing, community management, analytics, and performance reporting across all social media and digital platforms. Lead the creation of engaging multimedia content including photography, video, livestreams and digital storytelling initiatives while ensuring messaging aligns with organizational priorities.

Monitor emerging digital trends, platform changes, and audience insights to continuously improve engagement and expand the organization’s digital reach.

Community And Government Relations

Oversee communications and engagement with City Council, elected officials, community organizations, and strategic partners to ensure timely responses, consistent messaging, and collaborative relationships.

Supervise the City Council Liaison and Community Engagement Manager and provide strategic guidance on communications, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach efforts.

Strategic Communications And Organizational Initiatives

Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement organization-wide strategic communications initiatives that support agency priorities, major announcements, policy changes, and transformational projects.

Lead cross-functional communications planning for high-profile initiatives, public campaigns, community engagement efforts, organizational change management, and special projects. Identify opportunities to improve internal and external communications, streamline processes, and enhance customer experience through innovative communication strategies.

Develop new programs, campaigns, and outreach initiatives that increase public awareness, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support the organization’s long-term strategic goals.

Leadership And Team Development

Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for communications, marketing, community engagement, and government relations staff. Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and professional development opportunities while mentoring staff to strengthen communications, marketing, media relations, digital engagement, and leadership capabilities.

Lead cross-departmental collaboration to ensure communications strategies are integrated across the organization and aligned with executive priorities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Manage the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the department/division. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the company policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, planning, assigning, directing work, rewarding and disciplining employees, performance reviews, and addressing complaints and resolving problems. Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or a related field.
• Board overview: 7+ years’ experience; background in Detroit media market required.
• Ability to work under tight time pressures, prioritize workflow, problemsolve and react quickly to changing business needs and demands, all in a fastpaced and highgrowth business environment.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, as well as public speaking ability.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints both in writing and orally.
• Experience developing successful social media campaigns and content.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate effectively with staff and motivate multiple teams to deliver highquality results.
• Ability to interpret complex concepts covering the wide variety of programming performed by the DLBA
• Outstanding leadership and organizational abilities.
• Experience supervising teams and fostering professional development.
• Ability to build partnerships across executive leadership, government agencies, media, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders.Must be a missiondriven individual with a sense of public service to the residents of the City of Detroit.
• The highest level of moral character, honesty, and integrity.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Detroit resident or a Detroit background with a deep knowledge of community needs.
• Familiar with Detroit government and communities.
• Experience in government, community development, real estate, finance, or land use planning.
• Experience with notforprofit or governmental program design, management systems, fund development, and community change strategies.