Strategic Public Affairs Liaison

Charlotte, North Carolina; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The City of Charlotte is hiring a Public Affairs Liaison to serve as a strategic advisor and communications liaison to the Chief of Police, coordinating the Department’s communications with City Council, the City Manager’s Office, and key stakeholders.

The role requires strong written and verbal communication, crisis management capabilities, and the ability to translate complex public safety matters into clear messaging.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or equivalent with at least ten (10) years of related experience.
• Knowledge of strategic communications, crisis communications, media relations, public relations, and the effective dissemination of information through written, oral, visual, and digital platforms.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations, City organizational structures, and the roles and responsibilities of City Council, the City Manager’s Office, elected officials, and public safety leadership.
• Knowledge of government relations, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and protocols for coordinating information among City leadership, government agencies, media representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Knowledge of crisis management, emergency communications, risk assessment, and strategies for addressing sensitive or high-profile public safety matters while maintaining public trust.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Chief of Police and Charlotte City Council and Manager’s Office, ensuring timely communication, responsive coordination, and alignment with Council priorities and information needs.
• Coordinate responses to City Council inquiries, requests for information, constituent concerns, and emerging public safety issues in collaboration with the Chief of Police and Department leadership.
• Lead crisis communications planning and response for critical incidents, emergencies, high-profile investigations, and sensitive issues that may impact public confidence, community relations, or the Department’s reputation.
• Develop and coordinate timely, accurate, and consistent messaging during critical incidents, ensuring appropriate communication among the Chief of Police, City leadership, City Council, the City Manager’s Office, and other key stakeholders.
• Advise the Chief of Police on crisis communications strategies, stakeholder notifications, public messaging, and reputational risks associated with sensitive or high-profile matters.
• Anticipate emerging issues and potential crises by monitoring public concerns, and community sentiment, and recommend proactive communication strategies to executive leadership.
• Prepare executive briefings, talking points, correspondence, reports, and presentations for the Chief of Police and City Council to support informed decision-making and effective communication.
• Coordinate with City Communications, the City Manager’s Office, elected officials, and relevant City departments to ensure consistent messaging and appropriate responses to public safety concerns.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with elected officials, government representatives, City department personnel, community stakeholders, and media personnel to facilitate communication and strengthen public trust.
• Oversee the preparation and distribution of press releases, public statements, media advisories, and other communications related to Department operations, major incidents, and organizational initiatives.
• Ensure City Council requests and concerns are appropriately tracked, communicated to the Department personnel responsible, and addressed within established timelines.

Skills

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Media relations

Public relations

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communications

Public safety knowledge

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

The City of Charlotte is hiring a Public Affairs Liaison to serve as a strategic advisor and communications liaison to the Chief of Police, coordinating the Department’s communications with City Council, the City Manager’s Office, and key stakeholders.

The role requires strong written and verbal communication, crisis management capabilities, and the ability to translate complex public safety matters into clear messaging.