Deputy Director, Public Relations & Marketing

Job Summary

This position is responsible for planning, administering, and directing a wide variety of public relations activities, community outreach, programming, marketing, and utilizing various media platforms and outlets to support the County’s initiatives and provide information to the public. Responsible for the efficient day-to-day operations and management of the department, while evaluating current and proposed systems, procedures, and setting goals.

Work requires the exercise of independent thinking within the limits of guidelines, policies, standards, and precedents. The role directly manages professional, supervisory, and support staff. Work is assigned by the Director, Public Relations & Marketing in terms of general goals and policies and reviewed for accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Essential Functions

These are intended only as Illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position. Assist Director by overseeing the Public Relations Department operations; Provides operational support to the Director of Public Relations and Marketing. Provides creative insight and implements tactics to increase public engagement with the county government.

Monitors departmental marketing materials, press releases, social media accounts, audio/visual productions, and programming to ensure brand and voice consistency. Assist in the drafting and preparation of necessary departmental, budget, and special project reports, proposals, and presentations; responsible for planning of short and long-range goals for the department.

Plans, organizes, and directs activities of the Public Relations Department; Oversees the planning, coordination, and coverage of community events, communication, programming, and productions. Meets with department representatives and Public Relations staff to plan and work on social media projects and public education campaigns.

Attends Board of Commissioner's meetings to assist with departmental duties; serves as the department representative in the absence of the Director. Initiates the hiring and promotional process for public relations department employees; submits requisitions to post positions, review applicants and interview candidates, completes Personnel Action Forms to hire and works with human resources to get new employee onboarded.

Serves as county spokesperson to the media in the absence of the Director; has daily contact with local reporters about a variety of issues; writes and issues press advisories, releases, and official statements of the Chairman. Manages, Plans, directs, assigns, monitors, and evaluates the work performance of staff; selects, trains, rewards, and disciplines employees; trains and supervises staff on departmental procedures; ensures that all employees are properly trained and possess the required certifications/training courses.

Represents the County at meetings of civic and community groups; facilitates meetings. Receives requests from the media and the public for information under Georgia Open Records Law and handles them accordingly. Investigates and handles department complaints, requests for information, and concerns. Additional Duties: An employee in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of local government structure and functions, policies, procedures, and organizational structure. Knowledge of supervisory and management methods and techniques. Thorough knowledge of the principles of management and their application to the administration of public information activities.

Thorough knowledge of journalistic, public relations and marketing principles and practices. Thorough knowledge of Georgia Open Records and Open Meetings Laws. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; familiarity of television broadcasting equipment and software. Working knowledge of Associated Press (AP) style guidelines for news writing; ability to write and assemble interesting and informative articles, news releases, pamphlets, reports, and other publicity materials.

Skill in public speaking and customer service; with the ability to make conduct presentations; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to properly implement County branding including standards and guidelines. Ability to plan, implement and coordinate large scale public relations programs; ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends.

Ability to effectively manage and coordinate broad, unrelated, and diverse projects simultaneously, in a deadline-driven work environment. Ability to hire, plan, train, supervise, and review the work of subordinates. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the media, general community, coworkers, elected and appointed officials, department personnel, general public, and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Working Conditions Work is typically performed in an office environment, but occasional off-site visits are required outdoors and event venues.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public relations, Marketing or a related field. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, or a closely related field; including supervisory experience. OR have a combination of education, training and work experience that is equivalent to #1 and #2 above that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Valid State of Georgia driver’s license. Preference Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. Professional Certificate in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or related field.