Airport Director II - Communications (Senior Communications Director)

City of Atlanta•College Park, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Airport Director II – Communications, also referred to as Senior Communications Director, provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Communications Division at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Reporting to the Assistant General Manager, Communications & Marketing, the Director leads media relations, public information, strategic storytelling, executive communications, and crisis communications to advance the Airport’s mission, strengthen its reputation, communicate its operational and economic significance, and maintain public confidence. The Director develops proactive, integrated communications strategies; identifies and pitches newsworthy developments to media; cultivates relationships with journalists and editors; and positions ATL as a credible source on aviation, transportation, economic development, customer experience, and related topics. The position requires strong news judgment, editorial skill, responsiveness, and discretion, including the ability to gather and verify information quickly, prepare accurate materials under demanding deadlines, and respond to breaking news, operational disruptions, sensitive issues, and reputational risks. The Director advises the Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Airport executive leadership, and other designated officials on communications strategy, media positioning, emerging issues, public perception, and reputational considerations. The role establishes communications priorities, manages departmental resources, directs assigned personnel, and coordinates communications across Airport divisions in alignment with City policies and organizational objectives. The position operates in a fast-paced, highly visible, continuously operating airport environment and requires substantial independent judgment. The position works in a fast-paced office and airport environment, with frequent interaction with executive leadership, media representatives, operational personnel, and external stakeholders. It may require travel throughout the Airport campus and attendance at press conferences, media briefings, and operational sites. Work may be indoors or outdoors, in varying weather and operational conditions, and may involve confined spaces. Evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call availability is required during emergencies, major incidents, significant operational disruptions, and other high-priority communications situations. Physical demands include sitting, standing, walking, frequently lifting 10 pounds or more, occasionally exerting up to 20 pounds, and frequently climbing, balancing, crouching, crawling, or using stairs and ladders. Overhead reaching or working is never or occasional; work in inclement weather and varying temperatures is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, or a closely related field.
At least six years of progressively responsible professional experience in journalism, public relations, media relations, strategic communications, or a related field.
Experience managing media relationships, developing communications materials, and responding to media inquiries under deadline pressure.
Extensive knowledge of strategic communications, journalism, media relations, public relations, editorial practices, crisis communications, and reputation management.
Demonstrated expertise in proactive media relations, story pitching, news-angle development, earned media coverage, and cultivating relationships with media representatives.
Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills, including producing accurate, compelling content under tight deadlines.
Strong news judgment and ability to identify emerging stories, anticipate media interest, recognize reputational risks, and determine appropriate responses.
Ability to respond quickly to breaking news, evolving incidents, urgent inquiries, and sensitive issues while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources and communicate clear, concise, fact-based messages to varied audiences.
Understanding of media deadlines, newsroom operations, broadcast and digital news cycles, interview preparation, and high-profile public communications.
Ability to develop strategic media plans, conduct proactive outreach, and evaluate earned media coverage.
Ability to serve as a credible spokesperson, conduct interviews, prepare executive spokespeople, and communicate effectively under pressure.
Knowledge of crisis communications, emergency public information, issue management, and reputational risk assessment.
Knowledge of airport operations, aviation industry practices, and communications considerations in a large, continuously operating transportation hub.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion on sensitive matters involving public safety, operational impacts, executive leadership, and public perception.
Knowledge of public records requirements, communications policies, confidentiality considerations, and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
Ability to build effective relationships with executive leadership, Airport departments, City officials, media representatives, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated leadership, coaching, personnel management, and performance evaluation skills.
Proficiency with media monitoring platforms, digital communications tools, content management systems, and analytics used to evaluate coverage and communications effectiveness.
Valid state-issued driver’s license.
Ability to meet the physical demands described, including frequent sitting, standing, walking, lifting 10 pounds or more, and climbing, balancing, crouching, crawling, or using stairs and ladders; ability to work in inclement weather and varying temperatures.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success pitching and securing proactive earned media coverage across print, television, radio, digital, and other relevant platforms.
Established relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and media organizations, with demonstrated ability to generate story opportunities and secure meaningful coverage.
Exceptional ability to develop story pitches, press releases, statements, interview briefs, talking points, and executive communications under tight deadlines.
Experience managing breaking news, urgent media inquiries, crisis communications, and sensitive public information in a fast-paced environment.
Experience preparing executives and subject-matter experts for interviews, serving as a spokesperson, and translating complex issues into concise, credible messages.
Experience in aviation, transportation, emergency public information, municipal government, or another highly visible, complex operating environment.
Experience supervising communications staff, managing media relations programs, and establishing performance standards and rapid-response procedures.
Demonstrated ability to develop proactive communications strategies that generate positive, substantive coverage while maintaining credibility, accuracy, and appropriate balance.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership and day-to-day direction for the Communications Division, overseeing media relations, public information, strategic storytelling, and other assigned communications functions.
Develops and implements proactive communications strategies that advance ATL’s priorities, strengthen public understanding, and reinforce the Airport’s reputation.
Identifies newsworthy developments, develops story pitches and media proposals, and pursues earned coverage of Airport achievements, improvements, innovation, economic impact, passenger services, infrastructure investments, and community contributions.
Builds and maintains relationships with local, regional, national, and international journalists, editors, producers, assignment desks, and other media representatives.
Positions ATL executives and subject-matter experts as credible sources on aviation, transportation, airport operations, customer experience, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, and related topics.
Anticipates news cycles and emerging story opportunities, monitors coverage and public discussion, assesses reputational concerns, and recommends communications strategies.
Writes, edits, and approves press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, executive messages, interview briefs, speeches, FAQs, and other public information materials.
Produces accurate, compelling, publication-ready content under tight deadlines and translates complex technical, operational, financial, infrastructure, and policy information into accessible narratives.
Establishes editorial standards and reviews communications prepared by staff, subject-matter experts, and other departments for accuracy, context, consistency, and alignment with organizational priorities.
Leads communications responses to breaking news, incidents, operational disruptions, delays, public concerns, and other time-sensitive developments.
Gathers, verifies, and synthesizes information from Airport departments, airlines, government agencies, and other sources; develops holding statements, media responses, public updates, talking points, and follow-up communications.
Determines what information can be confirmed and released, what requires verification, and when matters should be escalated to executive leadership or legal counsel.
Coordinates consistent communications across media channels and Airport departments and maintains rapid-response procedures, escalation protocols, approval pathways, and coordination practices.
Maintains readiness to address urgent communications needs outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Develops and maintains crisis communications plans and protocols with Airport leadership, Public Safety, emergency management personnel, the City, and other agencies.
Leads communications strategy during emergencies, significant incidents, sensitive investigations, public controversies, and other situations affecting passenger confidence, stakeholder trust, or the Airport’s reputation.
Advises executive leadership on communications risks, public messaging, media positioning, reputational implications, and response strategies; evaluates crisis communications and recommends improvements.
Serves as a senior spokesperson when designated and prepares executives and subject-matter experts for interviews, press conferences, public briefings, and other communications engagements.
Coaches spokespersons on interviews, message delivery, challenging questions, on-camera communication, and message discipline.
Prepares speeches, briefing documents, executive correspondence, presentations, and public remarks; represents the Communications Division in executive meetings, media briefings, planning sessions, and other engagements.
Coordinates with executive leadership and Airport departments to identify story opportunities, communicate priorities, and disseminate information; develops working relationships with relevant operational and administrative departments.
Oversees internal communications, employee updates, leadership messages, organizational announcements, and communication plans for major initiatives, capital projects, service improvements, and policy changes.
Establishes division-wide communications priorities, editorial standards, media response protocols, performance expectations, and operating procedures.
Directs, coaches, and evaluates communications managers, specialists, writers, media relations personnel, and other assigned staff.
Establishes performance measures and monitors results related to outreach, earned media coverage, message accuracy, response times, audience engagement, and communications effectiveness.
Oversees departmental budgets, procurement, consultant relationships, and resource allocation in accordance with City policies and procedures.
Ensures communications comply with public records requirements, City policies, approval protocols, and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
Performs other related duties as assigned.