Council Project Manager – Media Relations

City of Cleveland, OH; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cleveland, Ohio seeks a Project Manager – Media Relations to develop, coordinate, and execute media strategies that promote City Council priorities and public engagement. You will work with the Communications Director and staff to ensure clear messaging on legislation and council initiatives.

The role may serve as an occasional spokesperson, translate complex issues into plain language, and oversee press materials, interviews, and media briefings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field.
• 7 years of progressive experience in media relations or public affairs.
• Experience with legislative bodies or municipal government preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as spokesperson for Cleveland City Council when needed.
• Develop press protocols and relationships with media.
• Translate legislation into plain-language summaries.
• Prepare press releases, advisories, speeches, and talking points.
• Support transparency and public engagement in the legislative process.
• Provide media training and brief Council members before interviews.

Skills

Exceptional writing

Verbal communication

Collaborative teamwork

Political judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, public administration, English, or related field

Tools

Media monitoring tools

CMS platforms

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Social media analytics

Job description

Project Manager – Media Relations

(On-Site)

Purpose:

The Project Manager – Media Relations is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing media relations strategies that promote Cleveland City Council priorities, legislative initiatives, and public engagement, and, on occasion, serves as the Council spokesperson.

People:

Working closely with the Communications Director, Council leadership, Council members, legislative staff, and external stakeholders, the Project Manager – Media Relations ensures accurate, timely, and consistent communication with the news media and the public.

Decisions:

The Project Manager – Media Relations will track and evaluate media inquiries, public opinion and media opportunities for City Council and recommend communication strategies to be executed by the Communications Team.

Performance:

The position requires exceptional writing skills, political judgment, media expertise, crisis communications experience, and the ability to communicate complex legislative issues in clear and compelling language. Specific functional tasks include:

Media Relations

• Serve as an occasional spokesperson for Cleveland City Council
• Develop press protocols and ensure they are followed
• Develop relationships with local, regional, and national media
• Respond to media inquiries promptly and accurately
• Coordinate interviews, press conferences, and media briefings
• Monitor media coverage and prepare daily/weekly media summaries and analytics

Legislative Communications

• Translate complex legislation into plain-language summaries
• Prepare summaries of ordinances, resolutions, hearings, and Council meetings
• Support transparency and public engagement in the legislative process

Strategic Communications

• Develop communications strategies supporting Council priorities and legislation
• Advise Communications Director and Council leadership on media strategies
• Anticipate communications challenges and recommend responses to rapidly emerging issues
• Develop and implement crisis communication press strategies
• Provide media training and brief Council members before interviews and public appearances
• Prepare leadership for media interviews on sensitive matters

Writing and Content Development

• Prepare and edit press releases, media advisories, public statements, speeches, talking points, op-eds, website content, social media content, fact sheets, FAQs, annual reports, executive correspondence, and other documents and content
• Evening and weekend work may be required to support City Council operations
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of Cleveland City Council

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, public administration, English, or related field
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public relations, journalism, government relations, strategic communications, or public affairs
• Experience working with or for a legislative body, elected official, municipal government, or other government agency
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated success working in a collaborative team environment
• Working knowledge of media monitoring tools, content management system (CMS) platforms, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and social media analytics
• Preferred qualifications include: o Working knowledge of Ohio public records and open meetings laws o Knowledge of contemporary municipal issues o Experience designing and executing community engagement activities

As the elected legislative branch of the City of Cleveland, Cleveland City Council’s constitutional and operational purpose is defined by its core duties: enacting local laws (ordinances), approving the city budget, monitoring city departments, and acting as a check on executive power to improve the quality of life for all residents.

https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/human-resources/total-rewards