Communications Project Manager

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Inc.; Middletown Township, Northern (PA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work

Alternate Work Schedule

Job summary

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is seeking an experienced Communications Project Manager to lead strategic communications programs, manage staff and budgets, and support public events and stakeholder engagement.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or advertising, including supervisory experience, and a valid PA driver’s license. The role offers flexible work options and collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Nine or more years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or advertising.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license; PA residency within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the project communications unit, including staff management and performance reviews.
• Oversee digital and internal communications programs and coordinate with marketing and PR efforts.
• Develop and implement strategic communications plans, timelines, briefs, and milestones.
• Coordinate cross‑department communications, risk mitigation, and crisis communications planning.
• Support public events, meetings, and stakeholder engagement; manage external consultants and vendors.

Skills

Communication

Public relations

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations/advertising or related field

Job description

Union: Non-Union

FLSA Status:

Department: Strategy and Communications

Salary Grade: E-4

Salary Range: $90,283.80 -$122,351.22

Employment Type: Full Time

Building Location: Central Office Building

Building Street:

Building City: Middletown

Building State: Pennsylvania (US-PA)

17057

Work Schedule: Flexible Work Options

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, opened on October 1, 1940, is known as “America’s First Superhighway”! Our mission is to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. The PTC operates a 565-mile system with over 205 million transactions annually. Together, we are building the highway of the future.

The Commission values its team members and understands the importance of work/life balance to the health, well-being and productivity of its team. Therefore, this position may be eligible for Flexible Work Options* such as:

• Hybrid Work - combination of remote and in-person reporting
• Alternate Work Schedule -flexibilityto adjust work schedule length to complete work week in fewer days

*Some options may require completion of probationary period.

The Commission requires all employees to establish PA residency within 6 months of hire and to maintain PA residency, regardless of Flexible Work Options.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The Commission will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Job Purpose and Summary

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is seeking an experienced Communications Project Manager to lead strategic communications programs and initiatives. This role manages staff and consultants, oversees multifaceted projects and budgets, develops communications strategies, and supports public events, meetings and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience in communications, journalism, public relations or advertising, including at least three years in a supervisory capacity. Public engagement experience is also preferred. Applicants must submit a sample communications plan with their application.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Manages, plans, and provides guidance and creative direction to staff in their assigned project communications unit to also include supervision, performance management, delegation of work assignments, and review of work product.

Manages and supervises staff in the development and execution of assigned programs such as the PTC’s digital communications program, internal communications program, and/or the marketing program to ensure information is strategic, proactive, creative, accurate, and up to date.

Develops recommendations and implements changes to proactive short-term and long-term plans, goals, and programs for the communications unit to improve overall effectiveness.

Manages a variety of multifaceted projects simultaneously. Develops communications plans, including scope documents, project briefs, creative briefs, project timelines and deliverables. Manages post-project evaluation and feedback processes.

Develops strategies for mitigating potential risks, identifying improvement areas, and implementing adjustments to PTC communications strategies where necessary.

Manages communication of project updates, progress, and milestones to the project team. Coordinates communication efforts involving other PTC departments.

Implements projects and programs working with applicable marketing, web, social media, and public relations platforms to ensure customers and stakeholders remain informed about PTC projects, promotions, news, etc.

Assists with crisis communication planning and response for events that happen outside of the PTC but impact internal staff; ensures timely, accurate dissemination of information.

Participates in the request for proposal (RFP) process for development of contracts for communications, public relations. or marketing consulting services. Manages awarded contracts including providing directions for external consultants and vendors retained by the PTC.

Assists with PTC public events, such as news conferences, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, public meetings or hearings, conferences, and other special events.

Participates in and represents the PTC in various internal and external committees, meetings, and project teams.

Fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, promoting teamwork and professional development.

Uses situational awareness to anticipate and prevent accidents.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Nine (9) years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or advertising;
OR
Five (5) years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or advertising AND a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, advertising or a related field.
Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be accepted.

Three (3) of the years of experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Possession of a valid driver’s license. Must obtain and maintain a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license within six (6) months of employment.

Required Work Sample: Communications Plan

As part of the application process, candidates must upload a communications plan that demonstrates their ability to develop a strategic, audience-focused approach to communications. The plan should include objectives, target audiences, key messages, recommended strategies and tactics, implementation considerations, and methods for measuring success.

Candidates may submit a plan developed for a previous employer, client, academic project or other organization. Please remove or redact any confidential, proprietary or personally identifiable information. The submitted work must reflect the candidate’s own contributions; if the plan was created collaboratively, please briefly describe the candidate’s specific role.

The communications plan should be uploaded under the "Documents - Other" section of the Candidate Profile. Applications submitted without the required communications plan will not be considered complete.

Problem Solving/Analysis

Presentation Skills

Decision Making and Independent Judgment

Creativity

Teamwork Orientation

Organizational Skills

Quality Control

Project Management

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Position demands include frequent speaking, writing, and reading reports. Position requires frequent work at a computer utilizing business programs and PTC specific operating systems. Position requires occasional travel and/or fieldwork with exposure to roadway traffic. Occasionally works outside of normal business hours for assigned work assignments.

Office environment with low levels of noise, adequate lighting, and comfortable temperature. Field environment may include exposure to moderately adverse and undesirable conditions. Physical environment is generally safe, but safety equipment or precautions must be followed in field conditions.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent(s) within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of the employee(s) assigned to this job. Management has the discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department by calling 717-831-7378.

Questions? Call Human Resource Services at 717-831-7378, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.