Director Of Strategic Communications

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.
• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia airport is a dynamic place to work. It is the only major airport serving the 7th largest metropolitan area in the United States and is one of the busiest airports in the country. The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation oversees both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Airport (PNE), the city’s general aviation reliever airport. The airport system operates through the Aviation Fund, which is an enterprise fund of the City of Philadelphia and is completely self-sustaining using no local taxpayer dollars to operate. Learn more about the airport at www.phl.org.

Our Mission: Proudly connecting Philadelphia with the world

Our Vision: World-class global gateway of choice

Our Values

• Diversity – Purposefully Inclusive and accepting of all
• Excellence - We hold ourselves to the highest standards of service, innovation, and efficiency
• People First - Our employees, stakeholders and passengers
• Integrity - We hold ourselves responsible for what we do, say, and think
• Respect - To our customers and our environment

Philadelphia Airport has won numerous awards for quality, diversity, and innovation:

• 2022 Stevie Awards Silver Recognition for Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion
• 2022 Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Large Airport Finance Professional of the Year - Tracy Borda
• 2022 Shaw Contract Certificate of Appreciation – Sustainability and Carpet Recycling Efforts
• 2022 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program – PNE Achieved Level 1 Mapping
• 2022 CFO of the Year Honoree – Tracy Borda – Philadelphia Business Journal
• 2022 WTS Board of Directors Appointed President of Philadelphia Chapter - Api Appulingam
• 2022 Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE-NEC) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
• 2022 Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) Philadelphia Chapter's Diversity Award – Commitment to Advancing Diversity in Leadership Roles for Women
• 2022 Airports Going Green (AGG) – Outstanding Sustainability Infrastructure Development Award for PHL Apron Project
• 2022 Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Voice of the Customer – Commitment to Understanding Guests' Needs by Collecting ASQ Survey Data
• 2022 Uber Innovation Award - Facilitating Consistent Shared Ride Services
• 2022 Stevie Awards Bronze Recognition for Female Executive of the Year – Delicsha Wilds
• 2022 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 Airports – Wallace DuBois
• 2022 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program – PHL Achieved Level 2 Reduction
• 2022 Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE-NEC) Honorable Mention, Airfield Project of the Year: Terminal D/E Apron Repairs

Reporting to the Deputy Director for External Affairs, the Director of Strategic Communications sets and guides the strategy for all communications, including crisis communications, to clearly articulate PHL’s mission and tell PHL’s story in a positive and compelling way. The role will work closely with the senior team and across functions as a key communications partner for strategic initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Manage the activities and budget of outside communications professionals.
• Develop and own the company’s reputational and crisis communications programs and tools. Expand crisis communications competency through education and training.
• Serve as primary spokesperson. Manage all media contacts and media events. Act as internal point of contact for communications validation of responses to potentially sensitive external stakeholder requests.
• Ensure that practices, processes, and programs are impartial, fair and provide equal possible outcomes for every individual.
• Create, promote, and maintain an inclusive workplace that acknowledges, understands, accepts, values, celebrates and respects the differences among individuals, in such areas as, race, age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, culture, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, or other demographics.
• Take active steps to eliminate acts, behavior, and speech, which reflect discrimination and prejudice.
• Manage all external communications including the annual report, executive communications and talking points, public information, story ideas and social media channels.
• Lead and support the Public Affairs and Public Information team.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Marketing and Branding to coordinate all promotional efforts including strategic and tactical support for social media, website, email, and print approaches.
• Manage internal communications and messaging, including assisting the Deputy Director of Human Resources with development and dissemination of communications to employees.
• Develop and implement an annual communications plan. Align communications with PHL’s broader strategic aims including marketing, branding, and guest experience. Evaluate results and take steps to innovatively build engagement and improve outcomes.
• Lead the team responsible for PHL’s website development and administration. Ensure that new content is posted regularly and is consistent with PHL’s mission, vision, and brand.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• A storyteller who can transform knowledge into exciting, positive, and useful messages and disseminate it strategically to the right audiences through the best distribution channels.
• Relationship builder with high emotional intelligence and the finesse to "manage by influence" across functions.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration including marketing.
• Experience developing and implementing communications and crisis management strategies and tactics.
• Energetic, mature, collaborative leader with the ability to serve as a positive and unifying force.
• Self-starter, able to work independently. Innovative; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
• Strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 40 hours per week. Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired.

Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of experience managing and supervising direct reports and motivating diverse teams.
• Must pass and maintain SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) and AOA (Airfield Operations Area) Clearance at the time of appointment and during tenure of employment.
• Demonstrated crisis communications management experience, with extensive knowledge of traditional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) roles and responsibilities.
• BA/BS degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field or equivalent experience.
• At least seven (7) years of strategic communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role within a complex organization, including media relations, executive communications, crisis communications, website and social media content, newsletters, and talking points.
• Demonstrated skills in developing and executing effective multi-media public relations, corporate communications, and external communications plans.
• Direct media relations management experience, media training and experience as a spokesperson.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

• Previous aviation communications experience.
• Previous communications experience within the public sector.
• FEMA Emergency Management Institute Certified.
• Direct experience supporting executive communication.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000

Did you know?

• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx