Public Affairs & Media Relations Lead

City of Fort Myers; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fort Myers is seeking a Communications Manager to plan, develop, and manage public affairs, media relations, and community outreach initiatives aligned with the city’s priorities. The role oversees campaigns, supports media response and crisis communications, and coordinates with departments to ensure consistent messaging across platforms.

The position may involve directing interns, vendors, or project teams and assisting with department operations and workflow coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public affairs, or closely related field.
• Five years of relevant professional experience in public relations, media relations, or communications.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, and implements public relations, public affairs, and community outreach campaigns supporting city programs, services, projects, events, and policy initiatives.
• Manages assigned communications projects from concept through completion, establishing timelines, coordinating contributors, and ensuring materials are accurate, timely, and consistent with city standards.
• Drafts, edits, and distributes press releases, media advisories, public notices, frequently asked questions, executive correspondence, website content, newsletters, social media content, and other communications materials using AP style where appropriate, accessibility standards, and plain-language principles.
• Coordinates media interviews, speaking engagements, and presentations for city leadership and prepares spokespersons with key messages, talking points, and other supporting materials.
• Develops messaging, communications plans, stakeholder materials, and public-facing information related to city council actions, capital projects, public safety, infrastructure, budget initiatives, legislative matters, and other municipal priorities.
• Responds to routine and complex media inquiries in coordination with the Public Information Officer; conducts research, verifies information with appropriate departments, and prepares timely, accurate responses.
• Develops media pitches and identifies proactive opportunities to highlight city programs, accomplishments, services, partnerships, and community initiatives.
• Coordinates the planning and execution of public meetings, press conferences, media availabilities/tours, public workshops, community engagement activities, and other events.
• Monitors local and regional news coverage, social media activity, public sentiment, and emerging issues that may affect the city; briefs the Public Information Officer and recommends appropriate communications actions.
• Coordinates with city departments to identify needs, gather and verify information, and review departmental materials for accuracy, readability, branding, accessibility, and consistency with citywide communications standards.
• Supervises, trains, assigns, and reviews the work of designated employees or interns and oversees vendors or consultants as assigned.
• Assists the Public Information Officer with department planning, workload prioritization, budget-related research, and development of policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Serves as acting department representative or communications lead for assigned matters in the absence of the Public Information Officer, within delegated authority.
• Manages assigned digital communications platforms and content calendars and collaborates with multimedia staff to integrate written, visual, and video content.
• Builds and maintains professional relationships with media representatives, community organizations, governmental partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Assists with internal communications and employee engagement initiatives, including announcements, newsletters, intranet content, and organizational campaigns.
• Supports crisis communications and emergency public information operations, including the preparation and distribution of emergency messages, media updates, website content, social media posts, and public safety information. Participates in Emergency Operations Center or Joint Information Center activities as assigned.
• Researches, writes, and submits award nominations highlighting city achievements and initiatives.
• Maintains communications files, media records, project documentation, performance metrics, and reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Crisis communications

Project management

Time management

Teamwork

Writing & editing

Customer service

Policy communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public affairs, or closely related field

Tools

Constant Contact

CivicPlus

Canva

Media monitoring software

Job description

City of Fort Myers is seeking a Communications Manager to plan, develop, and manage public affairs, media relations, and community outreach initiatives aligned with the city’s priorities. The role oversees campaigns, supports media response and crisis communications, and coordinates with departments to ensure consistent messaging across platforms.

The position may involve directing interns, vendors, or project teams and assisting with department operations and workflow coordination.