Community Relations Manager

City of Auburn Hills; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Auburn Hills is seeking a seasoned Communications professional to serve as Community Relations Manager, shaping public messaging and promoting downtown development and the local business community.

You will lead media relations, draft communications, manage crisis messaging, and supervise staff, coordinating with departments to plan events and enhance branding for the city. Evening and weekend events may be required, with leadership responsibilities over multiple channels.

Qualifications

• Translate complex policy into clear public messaging.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of modern marketing, media, and public relations techniques; plus extensive public interaction.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud tools in a professional setting.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary media contact and on-camera spokesperson.
• Drafts press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and talking points.
• Manages a proactive crisis communication strategy to protect the City’s reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and editors.
• Develop rapid response strategies to mitigate negative publicity.
• Coach leadership before interviews, press conferences, and public hearings.
• Oversee the administrative activities of the communications and marketing functions.
• Oversee all digital billboard advertisements and lead site coordination for Auburn Hills.

Skills

Policy translation

Deadline management

Public relations principles

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Premier Pro

Adobe After Effects

Adobe InDesign

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Media Relations, Journalism or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Premier Pro

Adobe After Effects

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Company Description The City of Auburn Hills is a recognized municipal leader in southeast Michigan, serving approximately 26,000 residents and a daytime population of around 100,000. It is a thriving global business hub, home to over 70 international corporations and the world and North American headquarters of notable companies such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Continental Automotive Systems, Faurecia, and BorgWarner. Residents and visitors enjoy a mix of urban and suburban amenities, including parks, a revitalized downtown, and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. The city also hosts five colleges and universities and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of Michigan’s largest destination shopping centers, offering diverse cultural, social, and educational opportunities.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Community Relations Manager designs and executes strategic communication plans and provides a variety of routine and complex administrative and technical work in support of all departments in achieving their goals of promoting the city to the local community and beyond.Special emphasis shall be on economic development initiatives including but not limited to promoting Downtown Auburn Hills and the Auburn Hills business community, as well as the benefits of living in Auburn Hills.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directly supervises the Community Relations Specialist.May exercise supervision over clerical, temporary, part time, or other staff, as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary media contact and on-camera spokesperson.
• Drafts press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and talking points. Includes writing copy, designing and coordinative printing with local or in-house printers.
• Manages a proactive crisis communication strategy that is essential to building trust and protecting the City’s reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and editors.
• Develop rapid response strategies to mitigate negative publicity.
• Coach leadership before interviews, press conferences, and public hearings.
• Serve as the communications, marketing, and brand counselor to all city departments.
• Develop three components of the Mayor’s State of the Community address including introductory video script and production, drafting Mayor’s keynote address, and designing corresponding slide presentation.
• Collaborate with city departments to plan and execute various aspects of community events related to their respective positions.
• Oversees the work of the Community Relations Specialist, including adherence to social media content guidelines established by the City.
• Maintain, update, and enhance current marketing, communications, and information sharing approaches utilizing multiple tools including but not limited to, blog posts and press releases.
• Oversee the administrative activities of the communications and marketing functions.
• Oversee all digital billboard advertisements and serve as lead contact for all sites in Auburn Hills.
• Coordinates programming for the city, assists in updating the cable channel with timely information including, road construction, calendar of events, etc.Maintain Audio/Video equipment.
• Provide basic social media posting from time to time in the absence of the Community Relations Specialist.
• Continue to enhance the city’s branding guidelines and templates for use by city staff.
• Oversee the process the quarterly City newsletter. Ensure coordination of all departments involved in writing their respective sections, edit and manage production to ensure the accuracy and quality of information. Oversee coordination with printer and establish dates for filing, printing, delivery, etc.
• Operate audio and video equipment for the purposes of generating local programming.
• Work with Community Relations Specialist to align organizational messaging.
• Assist city departments in developing presentations and videos.
• Attend various meetings as a representative of the city, particularly those that provide networking opportunities, community exposure, marketing the city, and building media relationships.
• Attend events throughout the year that will require occasional evening and weekend work, particularly outdoor events during the months of May through October.
• All other tasks assigned by the City Manager’s office.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Assists other departments in performing duties.
• Attend seminars and workshops related to duties and responsibilities.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Media Relations, Journalism or a related field, and
• Three (3) years of related experience, five (5) years preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional ability to translate complex policy into clear public messaging.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of modern marketing, media, and public relations techniques; along with extensive positive public interaction.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe After Effects and Adobe InDesign.
• Ability to accurately record and maintain records; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other departments, officials, and the public; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Salary: $70,000 - $76,100 per year depending on qualifications.

For more information, visit www.auburnhills.org/jobs